Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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C~ 4 I~1~ t~l l~F` C~r
(J;
~~~1 A ~''/~~~ f_'~ Yh~ Gl'`
Container having a displaceable valve portion for the controlled
dispensing of a service fluid
The invention concerns a valve lid for sealingly closing a container
body and for delivering - in any steps -fluid to viscous fluids, in particular
beverages, sauces, flavouring agents, as 'foodstuffs', or service or utility
fluids such as waxes, silicones, shampoo or shaving foam and a container
having such a valve lid.
Such containers are known in the form of two-part or three-part
aerosol cans, in which the product is under relatively high pressure. They
have a curved lid with an opening which has the delivery valve. The delivery
valve is usually fixed in the opening by means of a shaped portion, a
metallic valve disc and a sealing ring, by clinching.
Many products can be stored and delivered without involving high
pressures. For such products, a conventional aerosol can is much too
complicated and expensive from the point of view of manufacture, material
expenditure and the filling difficulties.
DE 103 58 230 Al concerns a closure cap for a container having a
product which is capable of flow. The cap provides a circular opening in
which a delivery valve is arranged. The delivery valve includes a shaped
portion in the form of a sleeve, and a cylindrical valve body, wherein the
delivery valve is fixedly and sealingly inserted solely by means of the
shaped portion. US patent No 5 755 354 concerns a drinks can of metal
with a container body and a lid having a closable discharge opening. The lid
can be fixed to the container body by means of a folded seam
configuration. EP 1 577 229 A2 concerns a conventional aerosol valve
including a cylindrical valve body as the valve portion and a shaped portion
in sleeve form, wherein the shaped portion is elastic in respect of shape and
the valve portion is movable to achieve an open operative position of the
valve, with elastic deformation of the shaped portion. The valve is arranged
centrally in a cup-like lid portion. In addition German patent No 196 81 702
AMENDED PAGE
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B4 describes a valve lid for an aerosol can in which the delivery valve has a
cylindrical valve body as the valve portion and a shaped portion in the form
of a sleeve which is elastic in respect of shape, wherein, in this case also,
the valve portion is movable with elastic deformation of the shaped portion,
to attain an open position of the valve. The valve is arranged centrally
relative to a cup-like valve lid portion which is connected by means of a
penetration joining process (clinching) to a radially outer lid portion which
is
itself fixed to the container body by means of a folded seam configuration.
The object of the invention is to provide a valve lid and a container
which is very easy, quick and inexpensive to manufacture, fill and close, but
which at the same time provides for easy controllable delivery of the filling
product and reliable sealing closure of the product in the container after
each product removal operation.
That object is attained by a valve lid having the features of claim 1.
The valve lid according to the invention is distinguished in that a flat panel
portion radially outwardly adjoins the collar, which panel portion near its
outer edge has a damping bead which in turn is radially outwardly adjoined
by a folded edge configuration with which the valve lid can be connected to
a flange edge of the container body.
The valve lid which is in the form of an independent, prefabricated
unit can also be used for containers other than those produced in the
manner of drinks cans, but which can be used in particular for such
containers. A delivery valve can be fixedly and sealingly fitted into the
round opening in the valve lid, solely by means of a shaped portion in the
form of a bush or sleeve.
The sleeve-like shaped portion is of a hollow-cylindrical shape (claim
2) and, by virtue of its elasticity, permits a movement of the valve portion
which is fitted into the shaped portion. The shaped portion (for mounting to
the sheet metal lid) and the valve portion (held by the shaped portion) form
the valve arrangement (claim 5). The valve portion can be moved by virtue
of the elasticity in respect of shape. In that respect, it is moved relative
to
the shaped portion (or relative to the flat panel part of the sheet metal
lid),
but not in such a way that it is moved only with a sliding movement or only
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with a rotating movement, in the manner of a bearing, but it is held
sealingly by the shaped portion and can be moved by way of that shaped
portion which is elastically deformed. That is also a relative movement in
relation to the shaped portion, but with deformation of that elastic shaped
portion (claims 5, 6). If the valve portion is moved only in the axial
direction, the shaped portion is symmetrically compressed (claim 14).
Elastic deformation is effected at least in an upper part of said
shaped portion that is provided above the collar of the central lid opening
(claim 14).
The elasticity in respect of shape, or, in other words, the material of
the shaped portion, which is elastic in respect of shape, has a different
effect at different locations of that shaped portion. Preferably a spring
action is achieved above the collar, while a sealing action is achieved
beneath the collar of the lid opening (by means of a sealing lip which
protrudes further).
The spring action is preferably used in the case of an axial pressure
force acting on the valve portion (claim 7). The holding action of the radial
collars of the shaped portion on the metallic collar of the lid metal sheet is
in that case so great that it withstands that transmitted axial pressure and
the shaped portion cannot come loose from the opening, and therefore in
that respect remains connected to the lid in 'fixed and tight' relationship.
Nonetheless a spring action occurs in at least the upper part above the
upper collar of the shaped portion, which allows the movement of the valve
portion.
A fluid path can lead through radial windows which extend in limited
peripheral relationship and which, in dependence on the position of the
valve portion with respect to the shaped portion, open at least one fluid
path through the interior of the valve portion and the at least one window.
Preferably the at least one window is arranged near the lower edge
of the valve portion, in particular immediately above the lower collar,
serving as the valve disc, of the valve portion (claim 13). The latter then
serves as the valve disc and, when it is lifted off the end face of the
sealing
lip of the shaped portion, the valve is opened.
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If the symmetrical deformation of the upper part of the shaped
portion is characteristic of an axial movement of the valve portion taking
place, asymmetrical deformation is a characteristic of a tilt movement
which can also be referred to as a tipping movement. In that case, two
opposite sides of the shaped portion are deformed in different ways, on one
side being compressed and on the other side experiencing a change in its
inclination without however losing the sealing contact with the valve portion
(claim 14).
Between those two movements, the axial thrust movement and the
tilt movement, a rotary movement is also allowed, which can be used for
example together with the axial movement. If it is used alone as the cause
to produce the axial displacement, provided in the lower part of the shape
portion is a screwthread which co-operates with a counterpart screwthread
on the valve portion.
A plurality of radial windows are advantageous if the tilt movement is
used (claim 13). That ensures that, with any direction of the tilt movement,
at least a portion of a window of a plurality of windows arranged in
peripherally distributed relationship on the valve portion is opened and the
valve disc at that location lifts off the sealing lip (the lowermost edge of
the
shaped portion) and opens the fluid path.
In the upper part of the shaped portion, at an inwardly disposed
location there can be a peripherally extending channel or groove which as a
recess performs the function of a desired-bend location, which therefore
assists with the spring action of that upper part. By virtue of the spring
action being controlled or assisted in that way, when an axial loading is
involved, deterministic changes in shape occur in the upper cylindrical part
of the shaped portion, for example a spring part of the shaped portion,
which spring part is formed in two axially spaced ridges or beads (under an
axial pressure).
The invention also concerns a container as set forth in claim 16 in the
manner of a drinks can with a bottom formed integrally with the container
body and with a seamless container body, wherein an independent valve lid
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can be connected to the container body in the usual manner in relation to
drinks cans sealingly and - with a folded seam configuration - fixedly.
Such a container (as a container body), like the usual drinks cans,
can be produced very easily, quickly and inexpensively and can be
5 correspondingly easily and quickly filled because of the large container
body
opening (can filling).
A container of that kind produced from steel sheet or aluminium
sheet, in the manner of the drinks cans, is pressure-resistant and optimally
adapted to customer requirements in the foodstuffs sector.
The valve lid can be connected to the edge of the body of the
container in the usual manner after filling. Such a container saves on
material and is inexpensive and user-friendly, from manufacture and filling
as far as the closure operation. It is however also possible for the filling
material to be introduced prior to assembly of the valve-lid unit into the
body of the container and for a further different or identical filling
material
to be introduced into the container which is closed with the lid unit, through
the valve.
(Continued on page 4, line 22 of the translation of the original PCT text)
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The shaped portion 11 which comprises a material that is elastic in its
shape is fixedly and sealingly connected to the collar 9a. For that purpose
the hollow-cylindrical, in particular sleeve-shaped shaped portion 11 has
radially directed, annular projections, collars or lips ila and lib which are
arranged at a suitably adapted axial spacing h9a and which engage fixedly
and sealingly at top and bottom over the collar 9a delimiting the opening 9.
The cylindrical main body 12 of the delivery valve arrangement 10
can be introduced without clearance into the hollow-cylindrical shaped body
11 and engages over the upper and lower edges thereof with a respective
further collar forming a corresponding shoulder. That further collar is collar
10a for the lower edge of the shaped portion and collar 10b for the upper
edge. The further collar is to be considered, in terms of its action, as a
valve disc. It seals off at the lower edge (of the lower lip lla), but here
opens a fluid passage.
The radial dimensions of the individual collars are so matched to each
other that for example firstly the shaped portion 11 can be introduced into
the lid opening 9 and thereafter the valve portion 12 can be introduced for
forming the valve arrangement 10, or in the reverse sequence. The valve
10 can also be firstly entirely assembled and the shaped portion 11 and the
valve portion 12 can be jointly fitted into the opening 9. The shaped portion
11 and the valve portion 12 together form the valve (the valve
arrangement) indicated at 10.
The prefabricated and pre-assembled valve-lid unit, after filling of the
container through the large container body opening 4, is arranged on the
edge 6 of the container body by means of the folded seam configuration 6a.
The advantages which can be achieved with the design configuration
here have already been set forth in detail in the preamble to the
description. It only remains to make it clear that the valve lid can also be
used in relation to two-part containers which are designed in a different
way from the typical form of drinks cans and that if required the central lid
opening can also be used as the filling opening, before the valve 10 is fitted
in position by means of the shaped portion 11.
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The illustrated versions of the container and the valve lid are
however preferred.
The valve 10 itself, after fixing (for example by means of a folded
seam connecting configuration) of the valve-lid unit (which is prefabricated
and pre-assembled), can finally also be used as a filling opening (by way of
a fluid path through the valve, in particular the central interior 12i of the
valve portion). In that case, fixing involves securing that unit to the fold
edge of the container body portion, by means of a folded seam connecting
operation. That is effected by way of the fixing part which is for example in
the form of a double fold configuration. In that case the filling material can
be introduced into the container when already closed, in the form of a fluid
to viscous fluid, in particular a drink (foodstuff), after the folded
connection
is made with the fold configuration 6a.
A further way of filling that container involves introducing a filling
material into the container body prior to fitment of the valve-lid unit, and
introducing a further different or identical filling material into the
container
which has been closed by the lid unit, through the valve 10.
Those filling variants concern a filling method which is specifically
referred to here and which itself does not describe or is not intended to
limit the container or the valve-lid unit, but rather serves to explain the
use
and application thereof on the part of the user.
Referring to Figures 2a and 2b and in the assembled condition on the
lid in Figure 2c, the fundamental mode of operation of the valve (the valve
arrangement) will now be described. A valve action which derives therefrom
can be appreciated by referring to Figures 3a to 3c. Figure 3a shows Figure
2c in a position of the valve body 12, in which a fluid path is opened. The
fluid path is opened by axial pressure being exerted on the valve body 12,
in which case the valve body moves downwardly in the direction indicated
by the arrow S and a radial window 30 above the lower collar 10a which
here forms the valve disc opens, and thus a fluid path is opened through
the interior 12i of the valve body 12 into the interior of the closed
container. In that way fluid can issue from the interior (out of the
container,
the upper end part of which is only shown). In the axial displacement
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movement of the valve portion 12 the shaped portion 11 is compressed in
the upper part llc. That part which is above the collar 9a of the metallic lid
metal sheet (around the opening 9 shown in Figure 2b) is now shown
thickened in a two-stage configuration in a bead-like shape, with two
circular rings, which was the hitherto purely cylindrical shape between the
collars 10b and 11b as shown in Figure 2c.
That deformation is achieved by the shaped portion 11 being of a
material which is elastic in respect of shape. The elastic material has a
spring action in the region above the collar 9a. It opposes the pressure for
opening the valve 10. Either when the pressure is released or when the
valve body 12 is pulled back in the direction of the other tip of the arrow
indicating the movement S, the window 30 and therewith the fluid path are
closed again.
The lower part of the shaped portion 11, with its lower lip region 11a
which protrudes further, serves for sealing contact in respect of the shaped
portion. The lower edge 11a' is the opposite sealing surface or sealing line
which co-operates with the collar l0a of the valve portion 12, to provide
sealing integrity and for opening the passage.
Figure 3b illustrates the same procedure, additionally with a
rotational component R which is shown in the form of a helical line. It is
possible to see here two windows 31, 32 at the lower end part of the valve
portion 12, which open two fluid paths. The rotary movement is additionally
allowed, in the event of an axial displacement movement S which is
superimposed on the rotary movement, but not forced, but only permitted.
It is initiated by the user.
In a variant (not shown), provided in the part above the lower lip 11a
and below the upper end of the collar 9a of the lid sheet metal is an axially
short screwthread co-operating with a counterpart screwthread on the
valve portion 12. In that way, a forced axial movement of the valve portion
12 can be achieved by a rotary movement. In this case also, the upper part
11c is symmetrically compressed in the axial direction, that is to say
pressed together, which is achieved by the choice of elastic material for the
shaped portion 11.
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Figure 3c illustrates a tilting movement as also being possible. In this
case, asymmetrical deformation of the shaped portion 11 occurs. A greater
degree of compression than that shown in Figure 3b is shown at the left in
Figure 3c. In contrast, the right-hand.side shows entrainment of the upper
part lic of the shaped portion 11, which still continues to serve as the seal.
The contact of the upper collar llb against the collar 9a of the sheet metal
of the lid is slightly released, caused by the tilt angle of the tilt movement
T. As a result, at least a part of a lateral window is also opened, here the
entire window 33, and at least a part or a portion of the window 30 (and in
opposite relationship to the window 32), but not the window 31, when there
are four windows provided at the lower edge of the valve portion 12.
To improve the action of the fluid path, the shaped portion 11 can be
radially slightly enlarged in the lower axial part, as can also be seen from
Figure 3a, as indicated in Figure 2a. Provided above that radial enlargement
is a sealing zone which is in close contact. Then, in the heightwise
direction,
that is followed by the desired-bend location which is described hereinafter,
as far as the upper end of the upper cylindrical part llc of the shaped
portion 11.
It will be seen from Figures 3 how symmetrical deformation (Figures
3a and 3b) or asymmetrical deformation as shown in Figure 3c can be
produced or formed for different relative movements of the valve portion 12
in regard to the at least upper part 11c of the shaped portion, by virtue of
the elasticity in respect of shape of that shaped element 11 which is also to
be referred to as a connecting or compensating portion. It serves as a kind
of flexible mounting which allows a movement of the valve portion 12 with
respect to the closing lid 8 and its panel portion.
The elasticity in respect of shape can be of varying degrees, it can be
of such a nature, in regard to its spring force in the described resilient
portion, that the shaped portion 12, after being pressed in, automatically
closes again and moves back into the rest position which is the closure
position. In that case, the friction at the outside wall of the valve portion
12
and at the inside wall of the shaped element 11 is to be so adapted that, in
spite of a cylindrical sealing surface, only a slight frictional effect is
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(Continued from page 10, line 2 of the translation of the original PCT text)
The shaped portion 11 can also be referred to as a sleeve-shaped
portion and then, for brevity, it can be referred to as a'sleeve'. That sleeve
5 is of a hollow-cylindrical configuration, corresponding to the shape of the
hollow-cylindrical valve portion 12. The shaped portion 11 is fitted into the
opening 9 in fixed sealing relationship, wherein the reference to 'fixed
mounting' is so intended that it represents an assembly step which can
resist the forces acting on the valve portion 12, by an embracing action.
10 The valve portion 12 is moved in relation to that sleeve 11, in particular
it is
axially displaced in the above-indicated sense. The latter occurs, making
use of the elasticity in respect of shape of the shaped portion, in particular
the upper part llc in the case of the longitudinal movement and, also in
respect of a further portion, of the lower part 11a in the tilting movement
shown in Figure 3c.
The sealing action is achieved by introducing the hollow-cylindrical
valve portion within the shaped portion 11, without any clearance. At least
a sealing line is formed between them, but preferably an entire cylindrical
sealing strip which also provides for adequate sealing integrity in the
closure position of the valve or the valve arrangement 10, with the windows
31, 32, 33 and 30 closed.
Although the cylindrical valve portion 12 has an upper collar lOb and
a lower collar 10a which engage over the axial ends of the shaped portion
11, it is displaceable relative to it, in which respect it will be appreciated
that a part of the movement is also transmitted to the shaped portion 11,
by virtue of the elasticity involved. It will be noted however that the shaped
portion 11 is held fast with respect to the panel 3 of the lid 8, more
specifically at the collar 9a.
The above-mentioned collars can be at least of peripherally
extending nature, preferably both collars lOb, 10a extend around the entire
periphery, wherein the latter collar 10a is the edge side of the actual valve
disc in the interior of the can and at the lower end of the valve or the valve
arrangement 10.
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The other two collars 11b, 11a are also referred to as lips and have a
holding function on the collar 9a of the sheet metal of the lid, and at the
same time also a sealing function in respect of the lip lla which bears
against the inside or from the inside of the panel 3 of the lid, adjoining the
opening 9.
The opening is also cylindrical, in accordance with the cylindrical
shape of the two valve parts 11, 12, and can preferably be arranged in the
centre of the lid.
Figure 4 also shows a more precise illustration of Figure 2c. The
elements which are fitted together in Figure 4 can be seen from Figures 5a,
5b and 5c. They correspond to Figures 2a and 2b, wherein the lid of Figure
2b with the inner round opening 9 is shown in respect of a portion thereof
(without the folded edge configuration 8a) in Figure 5a.
(Continued on page 11, line 14 of the translation of the original PCT text)
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The position of being still further assembled, that is to say the
position of the valve lid shown in Figure 4 (illustrated therein without the
folded edge configuration), with a folded edge configuration which is
actually present, then also applied by a folded configuration to the drinks
can shown in Figure 6, is intended to show the differences in size and is a
more precise reproduction of the same position and location of Figure 1.
Here the flow path or the fluid path F is illustrated, which is closed in
the closed condition on the window 30 in relation to the shaped portion 11.
When the valve or the valve portion 12 is pushed in, through the window, it
has a closed path which extends through the interior 12i of the valve
portion 12. That path can serve both for taking fluid from the container and
also for re-filling it, or for entirely filling the internal space 5 of the
can.
In this case, closure at the edge 6 with the folded edge configuration
6a is effected prior to or after the container body 1 is filled. If the folded
edge configuration 6a is already closed, the fluid path F can also serve for
re-filling or for mixing filling. The main filling operation however is
preferably a can filling operation, that is to say when the folded edge
configuration 6a is not yet closed.
