JP2009533284A - Self-closing valve - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic closing valve (01) for discharging a flowable product. This valve has a valve membrane (02) having a discharge port (03) and a circumferential edge (11) on the outer peripheral surface, and based on the generated pressure difference, the valve membrane (02) is opposite to the closed position and the discharge position. It is possible to switch between the suction positions. Further, a stop (04) is provided, and the valve membrane (02) abuts on this stop at the closed position and the reverse suction position, and thus the discharge port (03) is closed. Has been lifted. When the valve includes a stop ring (12), the circumferential edge (11) of the valve membrane (02) seals against the stop ring when in the discharge position and the closed position, and the valve membrane is lifted from the stop ring when in the reverse suction position. The lateral guide (13) extends in the axial direction, and at least a part of the circumferential edge (11) of the valve membrane (02) faces the guide in the circumferential direction, and the circumferential edge (11) and the lateral guide ( 13), the circumferential edge (11) is slidable in the axial direction along the lateral guide (13) in order to switch to the reverse suction position in which the gap (15) is released.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic closing valve for discharging a flowable product.

  A typical application of an automatic closing valve is a container in which a fluid product is discharged by squeezing the container. One example is a so-called extrusion container for body care agents. The user causes a decrease in the inner volume of the extruded container, thereby increasing the pressure in the container and discharging the contained product, for example, liquid soap, through the valve. Even if the container is not closed with a closure cap, and the product loads the discharge area of the valve with its gravity, the unintentional spillage of the content without this pressure increase is due to the automatic closing action of the valve. It is hindered.

  A self-closing valve for discharging liquid or pasty products is known from DE 102 18 363 A1. This valve includes a valve membrane formed in a convex shape in the direction of the product. The edge side of the valve membrane is formed by a retaining ring formed by extrusion coating. In order to discharge the product normally, the valve membrane is gripped from below by the plate parts. This plate part is again held by a spring arm, which increases the structural expenditure of the valve. Another disadvantage of this solution is that the air balance is particularly disturbed by the plate parts, and the container must have a large restoring force.

  German Offenlegungsschrift 19 613 130 discloses a self-closing closure with a closing membrane for discharging a fluid filling in a compressible container. When in the unoperated state, the closing membrane has a lower holding edge and an upper closing lid extending in a substantially concave shape in the discharge direction. During the normal discharge process, the opening groove of the closing membrane opens reliably and almost abruptly after a certain pressure. When the discharge process is finished, the container returns and the closure membrane is pulled back into the concave starting state. At that time, the opening of the opening groove occurs inward, and air is sucked in reverse. In order to improve reverse air suction, a groove can be provided between the closure membrane and its support. The disadvantage of this solution is limited sealing and the large negative pressure required for reverse suction. In order to achieve a strong reverse suction action, the container must be formed with a corresponding spring action. As a result, the input of materials for containers is increased and the manufacturing costs are increased.

  EP 0388828 discloses a self-closing valve with a dish-like valve membrane. The valve membrane has a central outlet, which is placed on a support pan and is thereby sealed. This solution has no possibility of reverse air suction.

  In the self-closing closure for containers or tubes known from DE 43 29 808 A, the outlet of the closure lid is closed by a closure plug. When the pressure increases, the closure plug moves inward, the outlet is opened, and the product can flow out of the outlet. For this purpose, however, air must be compressed because it cannot reach outside in the sealed cavity under the closure plug. Therefore, extremely high pressure is required for the closure plug to open the outlet, and this valve is hardly applicable. Furthermore, there is no possibility of reverse air suction in this solution, and in any case this solution may only be suitable for specific products.

  A self-closing valve with an inwardly curved valve membrane is known from DE 19580254. The valve membrane also has a central outlet, which is placed on the support pan and is thereby sealed. On the upper side, the valve membrane is held by a holding flange, which abuts against this holding flange from below in the radially outer abutment region. A plug that can be formed on the support pan enters the outlet when in the closed position, thus enabling a secure seal. The lateral contact region of the valve membrane can be implemented so as to be deformed inward when negative pressure is applied, thereby releasing the air path for reverse suction. However, such deformation assumes a strong negative pressure and the wall of the container must apply a correspondingly strong restoring force.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic closing valve for discharging a fluid product that can be manufactured very simply and inexpensively and requires only a slight negative pressure for air reverse suction. In addition, a good sealing action of the valve is desirable to ensure that even small amounts prevent unwanted leakage of the flowable product.

  This problem is solved by an automatic closing valve according to claim 1. In this automatic closing valve, the valve membrane switches from the closed position to the discharge position in order to discharge the product. When in the closed position, the outlet of the valve membrane is closed by a stop. At the discharge position, the discharge port is lifted from the stop and released. The outer peripheral surface of the valve membrane forms a circumferential edge that seals against the stop ring when in the discharge position. There is a gap between the circumferential edge and the lateral guide, and air can be reversely sucked through this gap when the container closed by the valve is depressurized.

  A particular advantage of the present invention is that a very simple structural embodiment and a significantly improved reverse air suction can be achieved simultaneously. The valve membrane can be formed by a simple plastic disc that can be manufactured very inexpensively. The container provided with the valve according to the present invention does not need to have a strong restoring force. Therefore, the wall of the container can be formed thin, and by using the valve according to the present invention, material can be saved and inexpensive container production is possible.

  Other advantages, details, and configurations of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of a plurality of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a preferred embodiment of an automatic closing valve 01 according to the present invention in four stages during a transition from a closed position to a discharge position. FIG. 1a shows the valve 01 in the closed position. 1 b) and c) show the transition to the discharge position, and FIG. 1 d) shows the valve 01 in the discharge position. In order to understand the figure as a whole, the valve is configured to be assembled into a container (not shown), for example by fitting it into the neck of an extrusion container.

  The valve 01 includes a circular valve membrane 02 with a circular central outlet 03. The valve membrane 02 is substantially in the form of a disc spring and also exhibits corresponding spring characteristics. In FIG. 1a), the valve membrane 02 is shown in the position when the valve 01 is closed. In the closed position, the discharge port 03 of the valve membrane 02 is placed on the stop disk 04. As a result, the circular mounting surface 06 formed on the stop disk 04 closes the discharge port 03. Further, since the plug 08 protrudes into the discharge port 03, the seal lip 07 of the valve membrane 02 is placed on the plug 08 of the stop disk 04 with a gap. The side surface of the plug 08 has a truncated cone shape and coincides with the inner surface of the seal lip 07 in the guide region 09. The shape of the valve membrane 02 is inwardly curved in the illustrated closed position, and is the shape of the side surface of the truncated cone except for the seal lip 07.

  The valve membrane 02 is elastically deformable, and a preload that determines the deformability is applied by the truncated cone shape and the seal lip 07. The outer peripheral surface of the valve membrane 02 is formed by the circumferential edge 11. The circumferential edge 11 abuts against the stop ring 12 in the closed position (FIG. A). The valve membrane 02 is held from above by the retaining ring 12. The lateral movement of the valve membrane 02 is limited by the lateral guide 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the stop ring 12 and the lateral guide 13 are integrally moved with each other, thereby enabling simple manufacture. However, the stop ring 12 and the lateral guide 13 can also be implemented in two parts. In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral guide 13 and the stop disk 04 are implemented in two parts. However, the lateral guide 13 and the stop disk 04 can also be moved together. The transverse guide 13 is implemented in a circle in the illustrated embodiment. However, the lateral direction guide may be implemented so as to guide the valve membrane 02 only at some places or portions in the circumferential direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining ring 12 has an inclined cross section. However, the retaining ring 12 can also be implemented perpendicular to the lateral guide 13. The circumferential edge 11 of the valve membrane 02 is below the stop ring 12, and the valve membrane 02 is sealed against the stop ring 12. Through holes 14 in the stop disk 04, product or air stored inside the container (not shown) can flow in the direction 16 in the region below the valve membrane 02.

  The circumferential edge 11 of the valve membrane 02 advantageously has the same material thickness as the main part of the valve membrane 02. The circumferential edge 11 is not reinforced and does not have a special molding, for example with an additional sealing lip. The circumferential edge 11 of the valve membrane 02 serves at the same time as an upper and lateral stop for the valve membrane 02. There is a gap 15 between the lateral guide 13 and the circumferential edge 11 of the valve membrane 02. The gap 15 extends in the circumferential direction in the illustrated embodiment. In another embodiment, the gap can be partially formed, for example, when the valve membrane 02 is guided laterally only in some places, for example.

  The automatic closing valve 01 is particularly suitable for a so-called extrusion container in which a fluid product is discharged by manually squeezing the container. For this reason, the valve 01 is arranged in a container opening provided for discharge. The valve according to the invention of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 therefore has a circular mounting frame 21 that can be fitted into the container opening. However, the valve according to the invention can also be implemented as an integral component of the container.

  In FIG. 1 b) the valve 01 is shown with a slight increase in pressure inside the container. This condition is given, for example, when the squeezing process is started manually to discharge the product from the extrusion container. However, a slight increase in pressure may also occur when force is applied to the container by handling the container without the product being desired to be dispensed. A force is exerted in the direction 16 of the valve membrane 02 by the slightly increased internal pressure. As a result, the valve membrane 02 is slightly deformed. The seal lip 07 is wedged in the guide region 09 with a frustoconical plug 08 based on the deformation of the valve membrane 02, and a reliable sealing is ensured between the plug 08 and the seal lip 07. Due to the deformation of the valve membrane 02, the mounting force of the valve membrane 02 on the stop ring 12 is increased at the same time, and thereby the sealing action of the valve membrane 02 on the stop ring 12 is enhanced. The valve 01 according to the invention therefore has the advantage that a small pressure rise does not result in product discharge. For example, the extrusion container can be held firmly with a closure cap during opening and closing of the extrusion container. In doing so, the internal pressure in the container increases slightly, but the discharge of the product is not desired. Further, since the seal lip 07 is pressed more strongly against the plug 08 due to the initial deformation of the valve membrane, the sealing of the valve membrane 02 with respect to the plug 08 is enhanced. The deformation of the valve membrane 02 increases the cross-sectional expansion of the valve membrane, and the sealing contact with the stopper 08 is maintained. Therefore, when the pressure rise is only slight, sealing is maintained in the central region of the valve membrane 02 even when the membrane lifts from the mounting surface 06.

  In the valve 01 shown in FIG. 1 c), the internal pressure in the container is further increased. The valve 01 is immediately before switching from the closed position to the discharge position. Due to the increase in internal pressure, the valve membrane 02 is deformed so that the truncated cone shape becomes extremely flat. This is due in particular to the fact that a force acts in the direction 17 of the valve membrane 02 below the seal lip 07 as a result of the increase in internal pressure, which lifts the valve membrane 02 considerably in this region. However, the plug 08 is still sealed against the sealing lip 07.

  FIG. 1 d shows the valve 01 when the internal pressure is increased to the extent that the valve 01 is switched to the discharge position. The valve membrane 02 reaches a substantially flat shape except for the seal lip 07. In the illustrated embodiment, the valve membrane is in the shape of a very flat truncated cone, which is opposite to the truncated cone shape in the closed position. It is also possible to implement the valve 01 so that it has a truncated cone shape when the valve membrane 02 is at the discharge position, and this shape becomes a truncated cone shape opposite to the closed position, with a remarkably small gradient. At the same time, the inversion of the valve membrane 02 occurs when the valve membrane 02 is switched from the closed position to the discharge position. As a result of this configuration of the valve membrane 02, the maximum value of the force acting on the valve membrane 02 during this inversion process must be exceeded. It is perceptible by the user to exceed the maximum value of the force during reversal and is also audible. This improves the operating characteristics, in particular the tactile handling of the extruded container equipped with the valve 01 according to the invention. If the valve membrane 02 is switched to the inverted frustoconical shape, the valve membrane remains in this shape even if the acting force is weakened again. When the force drops below a specific threshold value, the valve membrane 02 rapidly returns to the truncated cone shape in the closed position. In this way, a defined closing phase is given which cleanly cuts out the squeezed liquid jet, and post-dropping is sufficiently avoided.

  In the discharge position shown in FIG. 1d), the seal lip 07 is considerably lifted with respect to the plug 08, and a large opening is formed between the seal lip 07 and the plug 08. The product is discharged through the hole 14 and the discharge port 03 of the stop disk 04. A directional arrow 18 indicates the product flow direction. The diameter of the stopper 08 determines the diameter of the discharge port 03, and thus determines the flow rate and flow rate of the product.

  In the illustrated embodiment, switching from the closed position to the discharge position occurs abruptly. As a result, an extrusion vessel having such a valve 01 expands rapidly during this process if the excess pressure applied by squeezing is removed. At this moment, a specific amount of product is discharged. The valve 01 and the extrusion container can be dimensioned so that the amount of product that is rapidly discharged matches the typical usage of the product. In this way, the user can intuitively discharge a representative amount of product. If a relatively large amount of discharge is desired, the container can be further squeezed after the valve 01 is rapidly switched to the discharge position. Since the maximum value of the force for switching to the discharge position has already been exceeded, only a little effort is required to discharge a large quantity of product.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the automatic closing valve 01 shown in FIG. 1 in three stages during the transition from the closed position to the reverse suction position. FIG. 2a) shows the valve 01 in the closed position. FIG. 2b) shows the transition to the reverse suction position and FIG. 2c) shows the valve 01 in the reverse suction position.

  The closed position shown in FIG. 2a occurs after the product has been dispensed. In this state, the increased internal pressure is reduced by product discharge. The valve membrane 02 is again in its starting shape and starting position. This is given, for example, when the user weakens the force for squeezing the container and the product is no longer dispensed, but the force is still strong and the deformation of the container is still maintained. In this state, the volume of the container is smaller than the volume of the undeformed container. When the force for deforming the container is completely weakened, the elastic reverse deformation force of the wall acts. As the volume of the container shrinks during this phase, negative pressure is generated in the container.

  The first action of negative pressure is shown in FIG. Since the valve membrane 02 is still sealed against the mounting surface 06 on the stop disc 04 and the stop ring 12, the negative pressure cannot still be compensated for by the incoming air and the valve membrane 02 is slightly deformed. Therefore, the valve membrane 02 has a slight curvature inward. This curvature does not increase even if the negative pressure increases because the circumferential edge region of the membrane 02 is bent by the internal pressure.

  FIG. 2 c) shows the valve 01 after the circumferential edge region of the valve membrane 02 has been deflected by internal negative pressure. Since the circumferential edge region of the valve membrane 02 is not supported and has not been reinforced by stiffening or similar construction, only a very small force is required for this purpose. Therefore, reverse air suction is already possible with a very small negative pressure by means of the valve 01 according to the invention. In this reverse suction position, the valve membrane 02 is lifted from the stop ring 12 and the valve membrane is no longer sealed against the stop ring 12. Therefore, air can flow from the outside to the inside through the opening to be generated. Since the circumferential clearance 15 is provided between the valve membrane 02 and the lateral guide 13, this air flow is not hindered. Air flows from the outside to the inside with almost no trouble, and the negative pressure existing there can be removed. A directional arrow 19 indicates the air flow. When the negative pressure is completely removed, the extrusion vessel is again in its starting shape. Even when a part of the gap 15 is still closed by the remaining amount of the product to be discharged, sufficient reverse air suction is ensured by the circumferential gap 15. However, this product is also sucked back into the container by the reverse suction action. This also applies to the product remaining on the outside of the valve membrane 02. This is because the reverse suction action is also given there.

  In the embodiment detailed above, the valve according to the invention consists of only two parts. As a result, simple and quick assembly is possible. This is because the valve membrane only has to be pushed into the mounting frame with a plunger. Advantageously, the membrane can be made of silicone or a corresponding soft elastic plastic, while the mounting frame can be made from a relatively rigid plastic as an injection-molded product.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the mounting frame 21. The valve membrane has not been written to show the particularity of the mounting frame in detail. A plurality of mounting ridges 22 are fixed to the stop disk 04, and in the embodiment shown here, the mounting ridges start from a plug 08 arranged in the center and are arranged on the inner surface of the mounting frame 21 in the radial direction. It extends to. These mounting protrusions 22 are preferentially useful for stabilizing the position of the valve membrane that is partially mounted on the mounting protrusion 22 when the valve is in the closed position. Furthermore, the mounting protrusion 22 enhances the stability of the entire valve device.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a different embodiment of the mounting frame 21. The main difference from the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is that a plurality of mounting pins 23 are used instead of the mounting protrusions and are fixed to the stop disk 04. The mounting pin 23 performs the same function as the mounting protrusion, that is, the function of stabilizing the position of the valve membrane in the valve closing position. In order to check the position of the valve membrane and to support it during the closed state, other shapes of the mounting frame can naturally be provided. Depending on the implementation of the valve membrane and the inherent rigidity, a different number of support points are provided for this purpose.

  In an alternative embodiment, the mounting frame can also be formed integrally with an extruded container or similar container, including a lateral guide and a stop disk.

  FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of a different embodiment of the valve membrane 02. For certain substances / media to be discharged from the storage container via the self-closing valve, it is advantageous to be able to adapt the stiffness and / or deformation pattern of the valve membrane when the valve is opened. For this reason, the rigidity enhancing means 24 is provided in the surface area of the valve membrane 02. The rigidity enhancing means extends, for example, in the radial direction and is uniformly disposed on the peripheral surface of the valve membrane. In different embodiments, a material weakening may be provided to facilitate deformation of the membrane at the corresponding location.

  FIG. 6 shows a further perspective of the valve membrane 02 in a detailed perspective view. Contour shaping means 25 is provided in the area of the discharge port 03, and this contour shaping means protrudes in the cross section opened at other points of the discharge port 03 or is provided on the wall body in the area of the discharge port 03. Yes. Contour formation is performed by the contour shaping means 25 when the medium is discharged through the automatic closing valve. Different numbers of conformally shaped contour shaping means can be provided. Advantageously, the contour shaping means 25 is provided at the outer edge in the flow direction of the discharge port 03. However, in a modified embodiment, the contouring means can also be shifted further inward in the flow direction, for example by profiling the wall or by partially grooving. Such a groove formation further provides an advantage that the film can be easily transferred from the closed position to the discharge position because the cross section can be changed in the edge region of the discharge port 03.

  Desirably, when not in use, the valve is still covered with a closure cap attached to the extrusion container as is well known.

It is a cross-sectional view shown in four stages during the transition of the automatic closing valve according to the present invention to the discharge position. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the valve shown in FIG. 1 in three stages during reverse air suction. It is a perspective view of the attachment frame which has a wedge-shaped mounting protrusion part. It is a perspective view of the changed mounting frame which has a mounting pin. FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of a reinforced embodiment leaflet. It is a detailed perspective view of the valve membrane of different embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

01 Automatic shut-off valve 02 Valve membrane 03 Discharge port 04 Stop disk 06 Stop mounting surface 07 Seal lip 08 Plug 09 Stop guide area 11 Circumferential edge 12 Stop ring 13 Lateral guide 14 Stop disk hole 15 Clearance 16 Valve direction Flow 17 Flow in seal lip direction 18 Outflow direction of product 19 Direction of reversely sucked air flow 21 Mounting frame 22 Mounting protrusion 23 Mounting pin 24 Rigidity strengthening means 25 Contour shaping means

Claims (14)

An automatic shut-off valve (01) for discharging a flowable product,
-A valve membrane (02) having a discharge port (03) and a circumferential edge (11) on the outer peripheral surface, and based on the generated pressure difference, the valve membrane (02) has a closed position, a discharge position, a reverse suction position, Can be switched between
-Including the stop (04), the valve membrane (02) abuts on this stop in the closed position and the reverse suction position, and thus the discharge port (03) is closed, and the valve membrane is lifted from the stop in the discharge position. And
-Including the stop ring (12), the circumferential edge (11) of the valve membrane (02) sealingly abuts the stop ring when in the discharge and closed positions, and the valve membrane is lifted from the stop ring when in the reverse suction position;
-Including a lateral guide (13), this guide extending in the axial direction, at least part of the circumferential edge (11) of the leaflet (02) facing this guide in the circumferential direction, Automatic that the circumferential edge (11) is slidable axially along the lateral guide (13) to switch to the reverse suction position where the gap (15) is released with the lateral guide (13) Closing valve.   The automatic closing valve (01) according to claim 1, wherein the valve membrane (02) and the discharge port (03) are circular and concentric.   A self-closing valve (01) according to claim 2, wherein the stop (04) has a stopper (08) with a frustoconical side surface, and the stopper (08) projects into the outlet (03) when in the closed position. .   The discharge port (03) has a seal lip (07) in the circumferential direction, and at least a part of the inner surface of the seal lip (07) coincides with the truncated cone shape of the stopper (08). The automatic shut-off valve (01) according to any one of the above.   The self-closing valve (01) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the valve membrane (02) has the shape of a disc spring that curves in the direction of the stop (04) when in the closed position.   The self-closing valve (01) according to claim 5, wherein the valve membrane (02) has an inverted curvature relative to the closed position when in the discharge position.   The self-closing valve (01) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the valve membrane (02) is made of a silicone resin or a thermoplastic elastomer.   Self-closing valve (01) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stop (04), the stop ring (12) and the lateral guide (13) are made in one piece.   A stop (04), a stop ring (12) and a lateral guide (13) are formed integrally with the outer mounting frame (21), the mounting frame being fixable within the container neck opening of the extruded container. 8. The automatic closing valve (01) according to 8.   9. A self-closing valve (01) according to claim 8, wherein the stop (04), the stop ring (12), the lateral guide (13) and the outer mounting frame (21) are integrally formed with the container storing the flowable product. ).   11. A mounting means (22, 23) is further provided on the stop (04), and the valve membrane (02) is partially mounted on the mounting means in the closed position. The automatic closing valve as described in.   The self-closing valve according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a rigidity enhancing means (24) is provided on the valve membrane.   The self-closing valve according to claim 12, wherein the rigidity enhancing means (24) is arranged between the mounting surface (06) and the circumferential edge.   Contour shaping means (25) is provided on the valve membrane (02), and these contour shaping means protrude into the discharge port (03) and / or are arranged on the wall of the discharge port (03). The automatic closing valve according to any one of 1 to 13.

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