NL1012921C2 - Fluid delivery container, equipped with a pressure control device with activation step. - Google Patents

Description

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Title: Fluid delivery container fitted with a pressure control device with activation step.

The invention relates to a container of the type described in the preamble of the main claim. Such a container is known from FR-A-2690142.

This known container comprises an inner space in which a fluid to be dispensed is received, in which inner space a pressure vessel with pressure control means is received.

A first chamber is formed in the pressure vessel in which a gas is introduced under relatively high pressure, wherein an outflow opening is provided, which is closed by a closing member. This closing member is slightly rod-shaped and is surrounded in the outflow opening by a tightly sealing O-ring. A circumferential groove is provided in the rod-shaped element. A second chamber is formed in the pressure vessel opposite the first chamber, which is closed on the side facing the first chamber by a membrane to which the rod-shaped element with one end is attached. A control pressure is applied in the second chamber using a gas. A third chamber is received between the first and the second chamber, through which the rod-shaped element extends and which is provided with an opening which forms a fluid connection between the third chamber and the inner space of the container.

In this known device, when a desired pressure prevails in the third chamber, for instance equal to the control pressure, the groove is located in the third chamber and the outflow opening is closed by the rod-shaped element. When fluid is released from the inner space, the pressure therein will drop, resulting in the same pressure drop in the third chamber. As a result, the membrane-shaped wall part of the second chamber will deform in the direction of the first chamber, moving the rod-shaped element axially further into the first chamber. When the groove is brought to the O-ring, pressurized gas will be able to escape from the 101 PP P 1 2 «t first chamber through the groove along the O-ring to the third chamber and from there to the interior of the container. As a result, the pressure in the third chamber increases such that the membrane-shaped wall part is deformed against the control pressure 5, thereby moving the rod-shaped element out of the first chamber. When the rod-shaped element is again clampingly clamped by the O-ring, gas will no longer be able to escape from the first chamber, in which state the pressure in the third chamber and in the inner space will again be approximately equal to the desired pressure, ie the control pressure.

This known container has the drawback that a control pressure must already be applied in the second chamber when the pressure control is mounted and, moreover, the control means will operate the shut-off element directly, whereby gas will flow out of the first chamber. After all, when mounting under normal pressure, the pressure in the third chamber will always be lower than the control pressure in the second chamber. In order to overcome this problem, it has been proposed to assemble the pressure control device and fill the container under overpressure, such that the control pressure is compensated. However, this is technically complicated and inexpensive.

The object of the invention is a container of the type described in the preamble, wherein the drawbacks mentioned are avoided, while the advantages thereof are retained. To this end, a device according to the invention is characterized by the measures according to claim 1.

In an apparatus according to the present invention the advantage is achieved that the control member is at least functionally disconnected from the closing member before use. This means that at a low pressure in the third chamber relative to the control pressure, for example during assembly and filling of the container, movements of the control means will not force the closing member into an open position. This means that the 1012921 * 3 closing member will always remain closed before use. Only when a specific activation step is performed, a functional coupling is obtained between the control member and the shut-off member, such that a control pressure desired in use is obtained in the second chamber and the shut-off member when the pressure in the third chamber is lowered relative to the control pressure. can be forced to open position for the desired pressure fluid, as described in the introduction. The activation step must be performed consciously in order to activate the pressure regulation.

A pressure control for use in a device according to the present invention has the advantage that it can be stored and transported easily, without there being a risk that the pressure medium will flow out of the first chamber. This achieves important safety and economic benefits. Moreover, a device according to the present invention can be assembled and filled at normal ambient pressure, which is particularly advantageous. After all, as a result, usual assembly and filling lines can be used and no special pressure provisions are necessary.

In a first advantageous elaboration, a container according to the present invention is characterized by the measures according to claim 2.

In such an embodiment the control means in the first position can move freely with respect to the closing member over a selected distance, without the closing member being operated. This means that the volume of the second chamber can vary within selected limits, for example due to pressure change, without pressure fluid escaping from the first chamber. With the aid of an activation step, the first and second coupling means can be brought into a coupled second position, such that change of the volume of the second chamber, in particular enlargement thereof, will activate the control means whereby the closing member is operated for at least temporarily clearing the passage between the first and third 5 chambers. For example, the container can be filled and the pressure control device can be placed with the coupling means in the first position, so that undesired release of pressure fluid from the first chamber is prevented, whereby the container can be made ready for use by means of said activation step. The activation step can be chosen such that it can be accomplished by the consumer himself and / or such that it can be performed by the manufacturer or retailer.

In this embodiment, first and second coupling means are provided, which can be brought into a first position in which they are functionally decoupled, such that the first part can move relatively freely with respect to the second part, without operating the closing member. Only when the first and second coupling means have been brought into a second position, wherein they are functionally coupled, can the closing member be moved to an open position by movement of the control means. The activation step required thereby can be obtained, for example, by mechanical means such as actively moving the first and second parts relative to each other, but is preferably obtained pneumatically by temporarily increasing the pressure in the third chamber to above an activation pressure which preferably is at least higher than the desired control pressure in the second chamber during use.

It is preferable that the pressure in the second chamber prior to the activation step is substantially equal to the ambient pressure, at least approximately equal to 1 bar. This prevents the movable part of the wall from being loaded too strongly and for a long time.

1012921 5

The invention further relates to a method for preparing a container for supplying a fluid under substantially constant pressure, characterized by the measures according to claim 6.

With such a method, a pressure control device can simply be filled with pressure medium such as a gas and subsequently assembled, without there being any risk that undesired pressure fluid will flow out of the first chamber into the environment. After all, the closing member will always keep the first chamber closed, while the control means cannot open it, at least not yet. Only when the control means are functionally coupled to the closing member by an activation step can pressure control be ensured by controlled opening and closing of the closing member.

In a first advantageous embodiment, a method according to the present invention is further characterized by the measures according to claim 7.

By receiving the second part in, at least near the closing means for the container and mounting the first part at a small distance from the second part in the container, these are kept separate in the container for use. By thereby making the second part movable relative to the first part, the pressure control device can be activated by coupling the first and second parts by said movement. The control means will then ensure the desired internal pressure in the container through cooperation with the closing member. When the container 30 is being filled, a pressure can already be applied in the inner space, approximately equal to the control pressure in the second chamber. As a result, the control means will be in a neutral position prior to coupling of the first and second parts.

1Π1? Q? 1 Λ 6

In a further advantageous embodiment, a method according to the invention is characterized by the measures according to claim 9.

In such an embodiment, the pressure in the inner space of the container is temporarily strongly increased, for instance by introducing an extra amount of pressure gas, in particular CO2 into the head space of the container, whereby the control means are activated and in an active and functional in coupled position, in communication with the closing member. Since the headspace will normally be relatively small, relatively little additional gas needs to be introduced, which can be easily absorbed by the beverage, so that the pressure will decrease relatively quickly. Thereafter, the opening and closing of the closing member is actively controlled by the pressure control device. Incidentally, it is of course also possible to obtain the desired pressure increase by reducing the head space, for instance by deforming a wall part of the container in the direction of the inner space or by inflating a balloon-shaped element in the container.

The required activation step can be easily carried out by the manufacturer, for instance by introducing an amount of CO2 or deforming a container wall part immediately after filling the container, during or immediately after closing the container. Means may also be provided for the consumer to carry out this activation step, for instance with the aid of an internal or external gas cartridge, a widget which responds to the opening of dispensing means or the like.

In a device or method according to the invention, a gas, in particular CO2 or CO2-containing gas, is preferably used as the pressure fluid. However, other pressure fluid can also be used, for instance a liquid. A pressure fluid can also be obtained in a chemical manner, for instance by bringing together lime, 1012921 ((bi) carbonate) and an acid such as citric acid. A pressure gas, in particular CO2, is hereby obtained. Many variations on this are possible. For example, the (bi) carbonate or other calcareous product may enter the third chamber, at least on the opposite side of the closing member.

Further advantageous embodiments of a container and method according to the invention are given in the further subclaims.

To clarify the invention, exemplary embodiments of a container, pressure control device and method will be further elucidated with reference to the drawing. In it shows:

Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional side view of a container with a pressure control device according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 schematically shows, in cross-sectional side view, the general construction of a pressure control device for use in the invention; Figures 3A and B show a detail of a container according to the present invention with a part of a pressure control device, in figure 3A in an uncoupled state and in figure 3B in a coupled, ready for use state; Fig. 4 is a sectional side view of a detail of a pressure control device in an alternative embodiment; Fig. 5 is a sectional side view of a detail of a pressure control device in a second alternative embodiment; Fig. 6 is a sectional side view of a detail of a pressure control device in a third alternative embodiment; fig. 7 shows a part of a printing device according to fig. 6, in an alternative embodiment; Fig. 8 shows a part of a printing device according to fig. 6, in a fifth alternative embodiment; Figs. 9 and 9A show a part of a printing device according to Fig. 6, in a sixth alternative embodiment; Figures 10 and 10A show a part of a printing device 5 according to Figure 6 in a seventh alternative embodiment; Fig. 11 shows a part of a printing device according to Fig. 6 in an eighth alternative embodiment, in particular suitable for use with tilt valves; and Fig. 12 shows a further alternative embodiment of a pressure control device according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows in a very schematic cross-sectional side view a container 1, in the form of a substantially cylindrical can, in which beverage 15 is accommodated in the inner space 4. A head space 6 can be present in the container 1, for instance filled with carbon dioxide. The container 1 furthermore contains a pressure control device 8, which comprises a pressure vessel 10, a valve assembly 12 and an outlet opening 14. In the pressure vessel 10, in a manner to be described further, a gas is stored under relatively high pressure. With the aid of the valve assembly 12, gas from the pressure vessel 10 can be introduced into the inner space 4 of the container 1 via the pressure control device 8 in a manner to be described in more detail yet, to regulate the pressure therein. In the embodiment shown in figure 1, a tap 16 is arranged in the side wall of container 1, with which beverage 2 can be discharged from inner space 4.

Figure 2 is a sectional side view of a part of a pressure control device 8, as described in more detail in the Dutch patent application filed on the same day entitled "Container with pressure control device for fluid delivery". This embodiment is described to illustrate the general operating principle of such a pressure control device 8.

1012921 9

In this embodiment, the pressure control device 8 comprises a first housing 18, an intermediate part 22 and a second housing 52. The intermediate part 22 includes a valve 94 of the type conventionally used in aerosol cans such as aerosol containers and the like. Such a valve is known from practice. Figure 2 shows a suitable embodiment of a valve 94, but it will be clear that other types of valves can also be used in a pressure control device according to the present invention. For example, female valves or tilt valves can be used instead of the male valve shown. In the embodiment shown, the valve 94 comprises a third housing 95 fixedly connected to the intermediate part 22 and containing a fourth chamber 86 in which a compression spring 42 is included as a biasing means. The valve is therefore pretensioned in the closed position. A rod-shaped member 96 is sandwiched between the coupling member 22 and the upper end of the spring 42 with a collar 98 and extends beyond the coupling member 22. In the part located outside the coupling part 22, an axial bore 36 is provided in the form of a blind hole. Above the collar 98, a radial bore 37 is provided, which opens into the axial bore 36. In the shown position, the radial bore 37 is closed by a sealing ring 39 in the intermediate part 22.

The second housing 52 is fastened to the intermediate part 22 with suitable click means 48, 50. Within the second housing 52, a second chamber 60 is separated from a third chamber 62 by an axially displaceable piston 58. The third chamber 62 stands via an outflow opening 64 in communication with the inner space 4 of the container 1. On the underside of the piston 58 a cylindrical part 95 is formed with an axial bore 98 which can be fitted fittingly over the top end of the rod-shaped element 96. On the side facing the piston 58, a collar 99 is provided in the axial bore 98 which abuts against the upper end of the rod-shaped element 96. From the axial bore 98 radial bores 97 extend, which bring axial bore 98 into fluid communication with the third chamber 62.

As described further in the aforementioned Dutch patent application of the same date, a control pressure is applied in the second chamber 60, such that when the pressure in the third chamber 62 and the inner space 4 is reduced to a minimum desired pressure, the volume of the chamber is 60 will be enlarged such that at least the piston 58 will be displaced such that the rod-shaped element 96 will move down against the spring pressure of the spring 42 toward the first chamber 24. Thereby a fluid communication is obtained between the first chamber 24 and the third chamber 62 through the passage 28, the fourth chamber 86, the radial bore 37, the axial bores 36, 98 and the radial bores 97.

In the first chamber, a suitable amount of pressure medium, in particular gas such as CO2, is stored under overpressure. Within the first housing 18, the first 20 chamber 24 is preferably largely filled with activated carbon, for example, activated carbon fiber 26 having a high ad and absorbency for said pressurized gas, in particular CO2 or a CO2 containing gas. As a result, a particularly large amount of the compressed gas can be introduced into the first chamber 24 in proportion to the pressure obtained thereby. This offers the advantage that the first chamber 24 can be relatively small and still contain sufficient gas. Such use of activated carbon is described in Netherlands patent application 1009654, previously filed by applicant, which application is deemed to be incorporated herein by reference.

Instead of or in addition to the CO2, another pressure fluid can also be included in the first chamber, for example a pressurized liquid. Optionally, a reactive material 35 may also be included in the first chamber, which can react with a second reactive material to form a 1012921 11 pressure medium such as CO2. These can be, for example, an acid and a lime product, such as citric acid and (bi) carbonate, in which the second reactive component can be stored in the first chamber and reacts only when the pressure is reduced, or in the third chamber, at least on the one of the first chamber facing side of the closing member. In that case, the reaction between the component only takes place when the closing member is temporarily opened when the pressure in the inner space of the container is reduced and the components are brought together or undergo sufficient pressure change to form the desired gas.

Other reactions can also be suitably used, to be chosen depending on, inter alia, the medium to be released.

When the above-described fluid communication has been formed between the first chamber 24 and the third chamber 62, pressurized gas will flow out and flow through the passage opening 64 to the inner space 4 of the container, while increasing the prevailing pressure therein. Moreover, the pressure in the third chamber 62 will be increased, whereby the piston 58 is moved back upwards while increasing the pressure in the decreasing second chamber 60, until the rod-shaped element is returned to the position shown in figure 2 and the radial opening 37 is closed by ring 39. With such a pressure control device, a desired pressure will therefore continuously be maintained in the inner space 4 of container 2. After all, if fluid is discharged therefrom, the pressure in the inner space 4 and the third chamber 62 will decrease and the piston will move downwards for the previously described pressure control.

In the illustrated embodiment, the piston 58 is coupled to the rod-shaped member 96 when the second housing 52 is coupled to the first housing 18. This immediately creates an active, functional coupling 35 between the piston 58 and the valve 94. This means that if the assembly then formed is not stored and assembled under sufficient ambient pressure, the valve 94 will be opened immediately and gas from the first chamber will be opened. 24 will flow away to the environment.

In order to avoid this drawback, according to the present invention, it is proposed to functionally decouple the piston 58 or similar control means from the valve 94 or similar closing member and to establish such a functional coupling only after an activation step. A number of embodiments of such control devices with activation step will be described with reference to Figures 3-12, it being noted that the control means used therein can also be designed differently, for instance as shown in the aforementioned Dutch patent application of the same date, filed by applicant.

Figure 3 shows a part of an advantageous embodiment of a container 101 according to the invention, in cross-section, with a part of a pressure regulating device, for example as shown in figures 1 20 and 2. It will be clear that with a container 101 other embodiments of a pressure control device according to the present invention can be used.

In figure 3A a part of the wall 103 of a container 101 is shown, with therein an opening 115, in which a movable closing means 117 is accommodated, sealing against a rubber ring 119 or the like closing element. The first housing 118 of the pressure control device 108 is suspended at some distance below the opening 115 by means of suitable suspension means 121, such that the pressure control device 108 is fixed in position. On the side facing the first chamber 124, a space 123 is recessed in the closing means 117, in which the second housing 152 can be fixed somewhat clamped, such that the counter-coupling means 150 extend a short distance from the further coupling means 148. The 101 2921 13 axial bore 198 is also a small distance from the rod-shaped element 196. In this position, the valve 194 cannot be energized, or at least cannot be opened, so that no gas can flow from the first chamber 124 to the inner space 104. .

In the closing means 117 a discharge channel 125 is included, which on the one hand connects to the cavity 123 and on the other hand can connect to, for instance, a hose 127 which can be connected to a tapping device or the like. A series of ribs 128 is provided in the cavity, which always keeps the end wall 156 of the second housing 452 at a distance from the walls of the cavity 123, both in axial and radial direction. During use, therefore, beverage 2 can flow past the second housing 152 to the discharge channel 125, regardless of the position of the closing means 117.

In order to prepare the pressure control device 101 for use, in a container 101 according to Figure 8, only the closing means 117 has to be moved towards the inner space 104, thereby pressing the second housing 452 onto the first housing 118 by means of the coupling means 148, 150. In addition, the axial bore 198 is pressed over the rod-shaped element 196. This ready-to-use condition is shown in Figure 3B. The closing means 117 can then be moved back upwards, but may also be fixed in the pressed-down position. In the state shown in Figure 3B, the pressure in the inner space 104 will always be controlled, depending on the control pressure in the second chamber 160 and the pressure in the third chamber 162, as described previously.

In a variant (not shown) of the embodiment according to Figure 3, the closing means 117 is provided with a valve which closes the discharge channel 125 in the position shown in Figures 3A and 3B, that is to say has been moved upwards a maximum. This valve is opened automatically when the closing means 117 in Figure 3A or B is pressed down 1012921 14. This achieves the advantage that the closing means 117 can also function as a tap 116.

However, the drain channel 125 can also be omitted when another tap is provided, for example as shown in Figure 1.

In an embodiment shown in figure 3, the piston can always be connected to the rod-shaped element 196, such that the chamber 660 is relatively large prior to activation and is only reduced when the closing means 117 is pressed down.

Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment in which the housing 252 for the second chamber 260 is connected to the valve 294, the piston 258 extending into the open end of the housing 15 252 remote from the first chamber 224 and with respect to the wall 203 of the container can be locked in two positions. In Figure 4 on the left, the piston 258 is secured in an upper position and the second chamber 260 is relatively large and substantially unpressurized such that the housing 252 will remain stationary. By pressing down the piston 258 to the position shown on the right-hand side in figure 4, whereby it is fixed to the wall 203 by means of fingers 253, the volume of the second chamber 260 is considerably reduced, whereby a desired control pressure is obtained therein. Changing the pressure in the inner space 204 to below the pilot pressure will now result in the housing 252 moving away from the piston 258 in a downward direction, actuating the valve 294 to release gas from the first chamber 224.

Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a control device according to the invention, wherein a first chamber 324 is equipped with a valve 394, in the shown embodiment a male valve. It will be clear, however, that this can also be a female or tilting valve 35. A second chamber 360 is provided in a housing 352, in which a piston 358 is suitably received with a sealing O-ring 370. A stem 366 is fixedly connected to the piston 358 and extends toward the valve 394. The free end 367 of the stem 366 is free from the valve 394. A substantially cylindrical intermediate part 369 is fixed with a first end on the valve 394 and is provided in the circumferential wall with a number of passage openings 397 for forming an open valve fluid communication between the first chamber 324 and the third chamber 304. The intermediate part 369, near the open second end remote from the first chamber, is provided with a widened portion 371 with a shoulder 373. The free end 367 of the trunk 366 extends into the bore 375 of the intermediate part 369 and is provided with outwardly biased resilient fingers 377. In the first position shown in figure 5, the fingers 377 abut the inside of the narrower part v of the bore 375, between the valve 394 and the shoulder 373. This means that the piston 358 can move freely over a preselected distance, which distance is determined on the one hand by the minimum distance between the free end 367 and the valve 394 and on the other hand the position of the fingers 377 and the shoulder 373. Indeed, as the piston 358 is moved further within the housing 752 toward the end wall 356, into or beyond the position shown in broken lines, the free ends of the fingers come 367 above the shoulder 373 and will spring outwardly, such that when the piston 358 is lowered back, they will engage the top surface of the shoulder 373. The fingers 377 and the shoulder 373 thereby form first and second coupling means. When the piston 358 is moved down from the position shown in broken lines, by increasing the volume of the second chamber 360, the intermediate part 369 will also be moved downwardly, thereby opening the valve 394.

From the position of the piston 358 shown in full line in Figure 5, wherein operation of the valve 1012921 16 394 is not possible, it can be brought into a position of use by an activation step. To this end, for example, the pressure in the third chamber 304 is temporarily increased from the outside such that the piston 358 is moved upwards to the position shown in broken lines, the control pressure in the second chamber 360 being at least approached. Thereby, the fingers 377 are moved above the shoulder 373 and the active position of use is reached. It will be appreciated that this can also be accomplished by, for example, mechanically pulling the piston 358 up into the broken line position or other suitable manner.

Figure 6 schematically shows an alternative embodiment, in which the bore 475 is arranged in the stem 466, which stem 466 is connected to the piston 458, such that the bore 475 has a blind end 479. Near the open end 481, the bore 475 is provided with a widened portion 471 such that a shoulder 473 is formed spaced from the blind end 479. An intermediate portion 20 469 is secured with a first end in a female valve 494 in this example and is provided with a passage 479 for, when the valve is opened, a fluid communication between the first chamber 424 and the inner space 404 of the container. The intermediate portion 469 is provided with outwardly biased resilient fingers 477. When the free ends of the fingers 477 are squeezed together, they can be slid into the relatively narrow portion of the bore 475 between the blind end 479 and the shoulder 473. the fingers 477 30 can move freely in the longitudinal direction, allowing movements of the piston 458 without actuating the valve 494. Only when the piston is moved so that the volume of the chamber 460 is significantly reduced and the free ends 483 of the fingers 477 to 35 are moved under the shoulder 473 can they spring out such that the free ends 483 can engage the 1012921 17 shoulder 473. In this position, a movement of the piston 458 in the direction of the valve 494 results in the intermediate part 469 being pressed downwards, opening the valve 494. The first and second position of the 5th through the stem 466, at least the shoulder 473 and the intermediate part 479, at least the fingers 477, the first and second coupling means formed are shown in broken lines in the first, uncoupled and second, coupled position.

Figure 7 shows a part of a control means according to Figure 6, wherein a piston 458 is provided with a stem 466, which is divided into two parts 466A, 466B. The first cylindrical portion 466A is fixedly connected to the piston 458 and is provided at the free end with an inwardly extending flange 461 with an opening. The second part 466B of the trunk 466 extends through the opening, which is provided at the end located within the first trunk part 466A with a widening, which ensures good guiding and also runs against the flange 461 when the second trunk part 466B is maximally downwards. moved. In the second stem part 466B, a bore 475 is provided with a widening 471 near the outer free end to form a shoulder 473. The fingers 477 of the intermediate part 479, not shown in Figure 7, as shown in Figure 6, can again be shown in the said first and second positions are received in bore 475. In this embodiment, the advantage is achieved that the piston 458 has a greater free stroke at the coupling means 477, 473 in the first position, wherein the valve 494 cannot be operated. After all, the second stem part 466B can move freely relative to the first stem part 466A over the distance S. Only when the inner end of the second stem part 466B rests against the piston 458A and the fingers 477 abut the shoulder 473 can the valve 35 494 are operated.

1012921 18

Figure 8 shows a further alternative embodiment of a piston 458 with stem 466 for use in a pressure control device of Figure 6. In the flared portion 471 of the bore 475, the shoulder 473 extends from the piston 458 and the blind end 479 from 5. extending away from bore 475 an edge 485 received within widened portion 471. In this embodiment, the free ends 483 of the fingers 477 will have to pass the longitudinal edge 487 of the edge 485 in order to be moved from the first, uncoupled to the second coupled position in order to rest against the shoulder 473. the advantage is that the piston 458 will have to be moved upwards relative to the housing 452 over a relatively great distance, that is to say that the volume of the second chamber 460 will have to be considerably reduced, clearly further than necessary for the desired control pressure. This means that the chance of undesired activation is considerably reduced, whereby the safety is further increased.

Figures 9 and 9A show a broken-through side view and partial front view of a further alternative embodiment for container control means according to the present invention. In this embodiment, an intermediate part 569 with passage 597 is fastened to the valve 594 of the first chamber 524, on which intermediate part a spring finger 577 is attached. The spring finger 577 may be biased to the left in the position shown in Figure 9, for reasons to be described further. A stem 566 is provided on the piston 558 with piston ring 570, provided with two bores located next to each other. The first left-hand bore 575A shown in Figure 9 has a depth Slf, and the right-hand second bore 575B has a second depth S2 which is greater than the depth Sx. The depth is counted from the open end 581 of the bores 575 facing the piston 558. The resilient finger 577 is provided at the free end with a head 591, in the embodiment shown designed as a cross stick. The first bore 575A is separated from the second bore 575B by a septum 595 terminating at a distance from the open end 581. A slightly flexible flap 593 is connected near the open end 581 of the bore on the side of the first bore 57 5A and extends inclined against the opposite wall of the second bore 575B. A flap 593A 10 is provided in the flap 593 through which the finger 577 can extend. The head 591 abuts the side of the teeth of the fork-shaped flap 593 facing the piston 558.

In Figure 9, the first uncoupled position is shown, with the head 591 extending into the second bore 575B, between its blind end and the flap 593. The piston 558 can move freely over a height determined by the distance between the free longitudinal edge 999 of the partition 595 and the blind end 579B of the second bore 575B. When the piston 558 is moved upward enough that the head 591 extends below the free longitudinal edge 599, it will be guided through the flap 593 into the first bore 575A. Then, when the piston 558 is lowered again, the head 591 will be received in the first bore 575A and run against the blind end 579A of said first bore 575A, thereby obtaining the coupled second position. As the piston 558 moves further downward, the valve 594 will be operated via the finger 577. The flap 593 prevents the head 591 from being released from the bore 575. In addition, the flap 593 is so close to the longitudinal edge 599 of the partition 595 that the head 591 will not simply be moved therebetween as the head moves up along the flap 593. This prevents the head 591 from moving back into the second bore 575B.

Incidentally, it is noted that when the finger 579 1012921 20 is sufficiently biased in the direction of the first bore 575A, the flap 593 can optionally be omitted.

Figures 10 and 10A show in partial cross-sectional side view and in perspective view a further alternative embodiment of an operating device according to the invention, in particular suitable for use with a tilting valve. Such tilting valves, in which a passage opening can be released or closed by tilting an operating stem, are known from practice and will not be discussed here in more detail. In this embodiment, the tilt valve 694, connected to the first chamber 624, is provided with an actuating stem 669 with widened head 667. The head 667 has a preferably convex top. In the housing 652 of the second chamber 660, a piston 658 is received, to which a trunk 666 is fixed. The piston 658 has a direction of movement P, which extends at an angle to, and preferably at right angles to, the centerline L of the tilt valve 694 and the operating stem 669. The stem 666 of the piston 658 is provided with a first fork 690

and a second fork 692. In figure 10, the trunk 666 with the first fork 690 and second fork 692 is shown in perspective view, together with the operating stem 669 with the widened head 667. The first and second fork 690, 692 are in parallel located at some distance from each other. In the neutral position shown in Figure 10, this distance is indicated by DL. Each fork 690, 692 includes two teeth with an intermediate slot 690A and 690B, respectively, which slots are open at the end 30 facing away from the piston 658. The slots 690A, B have a width greater than the thickness of the actuating stem 669, but less than the width of the head 667. The two forks 690, 692 can therefore be passed over the actuating stem 669 between the valve 694 and the head 667. pushed. The first fork 690 is shorter than the second fork 692, as are the slots included therein. The closed end 679A of the first slot 690A

1012921 21 is spaced from the piston 1058 which is greater than the distance between the piston and the closed end 679B of the second slot 690B.

In figure 10, in the upper part, the operating device is shown in an uncoupled first position. Thereby, the first fork 690 is slightly elastically deformed against the top side of the knob 667. The materials and the deformation of the fork are chosen in such a way that the movement of the piston 658 in the direction P is possible without the actuation stem 669 being possible. is being taken. From this position, the device can be activated by moving the piston 658 toward end wall 656 so that the free end of first fork 690 can pass head 667. Elastic deformation stress in the first fork 690 will thereby cause it to return in the plane V such that it will extend below the underside of the head 667. Upon return of the piston 658 in the direction of the valve 694, the operating stem 20 669 will thereby be received in the first slot 690A. When the piston 658 is moved further in the direction away from the end wall 656, when the volume of the chamber 660 is increased, the blind end 679A will run against the operating stem 669 and, as it moves further, carry the operating stem 669, so that it is tilted at the same time. with respect to the aforementioned longitudinal axis L. Thereby, the tilt valve 694 will be opened and gas can flow from the first chamber 624 to the inner space 604. Increasing the pressure in the inner space 604 will move the piston 658 30 back, as the second chamber 660 is reduced, allowing the tilt valve 694 to return to its closed position. Optionally, a guide ring 667A can be provided on the operating stem 669 between the valve 624 and the head 667, shown in broken lines in Figure 15, such that at least the second fork 692 1012921 22 is guided between the valve 624 and the guide ring 667A, resulting in even better positioning.

Figure 11 shows a simple embodiment of a device according to the present invention for operating a tilt valve 794. In addition, on the piston 758, which delimits the second chamber 760 within the housing 752, a trunk 766 is provided with a chamfered free end 781. the tilting valve 794 on the first chamber 724 is provided with a coupling part 769 with a likewise beveled free end 783. The trunk 766 is within the; housing 752 guided by a guide 757. As the second chamber 760 is enlarged, the stem 766 is moved downward toward the tilt valve 794. The cooperating beveled ends 781, 783 will cause the tilt valve 794 to tilt from the closed position to an open position. Such a solution can also be easily applied in embodiments shown earlier when tilting valves 20 are used instead of valves or actuators shown there.

Figure 12 shows a further alternative embodiment of a pressure control device 808 according to the invention. In this embodiment a passage 828 is accommodated in a depression 872 in the first housing 818, with axial bore 834. A ball-shaped closing member 840 is forced against the seat 834 by biasing means 842, a pin 880 extending from the sealing member 840 extends through an axial bore 836 into recess 872. The biasing means 842 and the closing member 840 are accommodated in a fourth chamber 886 with inflow openings 888 opening into the first chamber 824. As a result, the depression 872 can be situated at a relatively great distance from the wall of the first housing 818. In this embodiment, the second housing 852 is received in the depression 872 such that it rests with the end wall 856 against the bottom 878 of the depression 1012921. The piston 858 in this embodiment is constructed as a cylinder with an outer circumference approximately corresponding to the inner circumference of the second housing 852, through the use of a suitable piston ring 870 or like gas- and liquid-tight sealing means. The second chamber 860 is again formed between the piston 858 and the end wall 856. At the end of the piston 858 remote from the second chamber 860 there is received a control member 866, designed as a disc 867 with truncated conical longitudinal edges 890, 892. This disc 867 has an outer diameter which, for example, approximately corresponds to the inner diameter of the depression 872. while the smallest cross section of the frusto-conical longitudinal edges 890, 892 is approximately equal to the cross section 15 of the piston 858.

At the piston 858 in a neutral position, ie in a disengaged position, in which a low pressure prevails in the second chamber 860, the lower conical longitudinal edge 892 abuts the top of the pin 880. The closing member 840 cannot therefore pass through the piston 858 is actuated as it is pressed outwardly by the spring 842. When the pressure in the third chamber 862 is increased at least temporarily, the piston 858 will be pressed down, thereby reducing the second chamber 860 and increasing the pressure therein. The piston 858 will thereby be pushed past the pin 880, temporarily pushing it against the spring 842. After passing the piston 858, the closing member 840 will be pushed back into the closed position. The control device 808 is hereby activated. When the pressure in the third chamber 862 decreases again below the pilot pressure, the piston 858 will be pushed upward, thereby pushing the pin 880 and thus the closing member 840 against the spring 842, forming a fluid communication between the first chamber 35 324, the opening 388, the fourth chamber 386 and the outflow opening 328, for increasing the pressure in the third chamber 862 and thus in the interior of the container. When the pressure in the inner space has again been sufficient, the piston 858 will be pushed back to the position shown in figure 12 and the closing member will be closed again.

Operating devices according to the present invention have in principle the important additional advantage that when the control pressure in the second chamber drops, for instance due to leakage, the operating member is forced to a closed position, so that gas from the first chamber is prevented in a simple and effective manner from uncontrolled to the third chamber can flow away and will cause too much pressure in the container, at least in the third chamber. This increases the safety of a container according to the present invention, at least of a pressure control device to be used therewith.

1012921

Claims (10)

1. Container with pressure control device for maintaining a substantially constant preset pressure 5 in the container, which container is arranged for dispensing a fluid, the pressure control device being provided with a first chamber for containing a pressure fluid in in particular a pressurized gas, a second chamber in which at least during use control pressure prevails and a third chamber which is formed by or communicates with, or at least partly is accommodated in an inner space of the container, wherein between the first chamber and the a third chamber is provided with a passage opening in which a closing member is included for closing the passage opening during normal use when the pressure in the third chamber is lower than the control pressure, wherein a control means is movable through a movable or deformable part of the wall of the second chamber and is arranged for at least partially moving the closing member when the pressure in the third chamber is lower than the control pressure, such that the pressurized fluid can flow from the first chamber to the third chamber under pressure, characterized in that the control means are positioned before use, at least functionally are uncoupled from the shut-off member and wherein the pressure control device is arranged for functionally coupling the control means to the shut-off member with use of an activation step prior to use. Container according to claim 1, wherein the control means comprise a first part and second part, wherein the first part is connected to the closing member and the second part is connected to the movable or deformable wall part of the second chamber, wherein the first and second part are provided with first and second 101 PQ? 1 * coupling means which can be brought into a first position, wherein said wall part is freely movable relative to the closing member and in a second position, wherein the coupling means are coupled such that the closing member can be moved by movement or deformation of said wall part . 3. Container as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first coupling means are provided with a number of outwardly prestressed resilient elements, the second coupling means comprising a bore, which bore is at least partly wider near an open end than near the opposite end, such that a shoulder is formed at a distance therefrom, the resilient members abutting in the first position against the inside of the bore between the shoulder and the narrower end and in the second position abutting the open wide end of the shoulder. Container as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the first coupling means are connected to the first part. Container according to claim 2, wherein the closing member is formed by a tilting valve, the first coupling means comprising a rod-shaped element connected to the tilting valve with a widened head and the second coupling means comprising a fork-shaped element with at least two teeth and an intermediate slot , which slot has a width greater than the width of the rod-shaped member, but smaller than the widened head, in the first position the teeth of the fork-shaped member being located on the top of the widened part 30 slightly in the direction of the head and can move freely over it without tilting the valve, in the second position the rod-shaped element is incorporated in the slot, such that the teeth are located between the widened head and the tilting valve, such that by movement of the said wall portion, the closed end of the slot can be moved against the 101 2921 J * rod-shaped member eyes for tilting the tilting valve. 6. Method for preparing a container for supplying a fluid under substantially constant pressure, wherein a can-shaped container is provided with a first part of a pressure control device, the first part comprising at least a closing member which is prestressed in a closed position and can be opened by an overpressure applied thereto from the outside, wherein a fluid, in particular a gas, is introduced into the container under relatively high pressure and the closing member is brought into said closed position when the overpressure is removed, after which the first part a second part of the pressure control device is provided, which second part comprises control pressure-controlled control means which, at least during use, force the closing member to an open position against said bias when a pressure prevails in the vicinity of the container which is lower than said control pressure, wherein the container with coupled first 20 and second parts in the container r, which container is filled with a fluid to be delivered and is subsequently closed, wherein the control means are actively coupled functionally to the closing member by means of an activation step. 7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the second part is accommodated in, at least near closing means for the container, wherein the first part is mounted in the container at a small distance from the second part, wherein the second part is movable in the case of a closed container a cooperating position with the first part, such that the pressure control device is actuated by said movement of said second part. 8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the second part is mounted in or near fluid dispensing means, wherein the dispensing means are actuated, at least prepared for use, by said movement of the second part. 9. Method as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least temporarily an overpressure is applied in the inner space of the container before use, such that the control means are actively coupled functionally to the closing member. 10. Method as claimed in claim 9, wherein control means are used with a second chamber, at least partly determined by a movable wall part, wherein a control pressure is set in the second chamber during use, wherein prior to use by increasing the pressure in the inner space of the container the volume of the second chamber is considerably reduced and the pressure therein is increased to above the control pressure, such that first and second coupling means of the control means and the closing member are moved from a functionally decoupled position to said functionally coupled position. 1 n1