EP2253560A2 - Valve for metered dispensation of liquids - Google Patents

Abstract

The valve has a valve housing (20) inserted into an opening (11) of a fluid container. A lower spring (9) is pre-stressed between a valve piston (30) and a stopper (50). An upper spring (8) is pre-stressed between the valve piston and a shaft body (40). A volume is formed between the shaft body and an upper closure i.e. insertion part (22), of a valve housing (20). Partial volumes (2, 3) are combined with the volume via an inlet channel (42) of the shaft body by actuation of the valve. An outlet channel (44) of a shaft (41) is connected with the volume by further actuation of the valve.

Description

The present invention relates to a valve for metered delivery of liquids.

Valve assemblies for pressurized fluid containers, such as aerosol containers, are known in various embodiments.

In the known metering valves, such as those used in asthma sprays or the like, the volume to be dispensed is displaced by a liquid gas. The liquid is expelled by the gas pressure. Although the product is sealed off from the environment in the housing, it comes into contact with the propellant gas.

The invention has for its object to provide a metering valve for a fluid container in which the liquid can be dispensed without the addition of propellant in a metered amount.

The object is achieved by a valve arrangement with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments form the subject of the dependent claims.

• ein Ventilgehäuse, das in eine Öffnung eines Fluidbehälters dichtend einsetzbar ist,
• einen Ventilkolben, der in dem Ventilgehäuse geführt ist und mindestens einen Kolbenkanal aufweist,
• eine Einlassventil, das dichtend in dem Ventilgehäuse an einer Eingangsöffnung des Ventilgehäuses anliegt,
• eine untere Feder, welche zwischen Ventilkolben und Stopfen gespannt ist,
• einen Schaftkörper, der mindestens einen Eingangskanal und einen Schaft mit mindestens einem Ausgangskanal aufweist, der dichtend geführt aus dem Ventilgehäuse und im eingesetzten Zustand aus der Öffnung des Fluidbehälters herausragt,
• eine obere Feder, welche zwischen Ventilkolben und Schaftkörper gespannt ist,
• ein zwischen Schaftkörper und einem oberen Abschluss des Ventilgehäuses bildbares erstes Volumen,
• einen zwischen Schaftkörper und Stopfen gebildeten Dosierbereich,
  wobei durch eine Betätigung des Ventils der Dosierbereich mit dem ersten Volumen über den Eingangskanal des Schaftkörpers verbindbar ist und durch weitere Betätigung des Ventils der Ausgangskanal des Schafts mit dem ersten Volumen verbindbar ist.

The metered-dose delivery valve according to the invention according to claim 1

• a valve housing which is sealingly insertable into an opening of a fluid container,
• a valve piston which is guided in the valve housing and has at least one piston channel,
• an inlet valve sealingly abutting the valve housing at an inlet opening of the valve housing,
• a lower spring, which is stretched between valve piston and plug,
• a shaft body which has at least one inlet channel and a shaft with at least one outlet channel, which protrudes in a sealing manner out of the valve housing and, when inserted, protrudes out of the opening of the fluid container,
• an upper spring, which is stretched between valve piston and shaft body,
• a first volume, which can be formed between the shaft body and an upper end of the valve housing,
• a metering region formed between shaft body and plug,
  wherein, by actuation of the valve, the metering region is connectable to the first volume via the input channel of the shaft body and by further actuation of the valve, the output channel of the stem is connectable to the first volume.

In other words, the input channel is arranged in the shaft body, that upon actuation of the valve, the metering region is connected to the first volume through the input channel. The output channel is arranged in the shaft body, that upon further actuation of the valve, the output channel is connected to the first volume.

Such an arrangement makes it possible to receive a defined amount of liquid in the valve housing, which can then be dispensed in one dose. This filling of the valve housing can be provided by a low hydraulic pressure of a two-chamber system. The amount of liquid is from the Volume of the metering determined, which in turn is determined by the dimensioning of the components, in particular the valve housing, the valve piston and the shaft body.

A particular advantage of the valve according to the invention is that the product to be dispensed is discharged and atomized purely mechanically. The atomization permeability can be influenced by using different spring forces. A propellant gas does not have to be incorporated in the fluid and thus is not present in the valve. Thus, in a hermetically sealable two-chamber system, the product is not only protected from the atmosphere, it also does not come in contact with other substances, e.g. a propellant. In addition, the production costs are reduced by dispensing with propellant.

In a preferred embodiment, the metering region between valve piston and inlet valve comprises a first partial volume and below and in continuation of the inlet channel of the shaft body, a second partial volume, which are interconnected.

In a preferred embodiment, the upper end of the valve housing has an upper seal. Through an opening of the upper end and the upper seal of the shaft is guided. The upper seal seals both on the shaft between the valve housing and the environment as well as between the interior of the fluid container and the environment.

Preferably, the upper end is an insert which sits on an inner stage of the valve housing. Thus, the insert is held securely in a defined position. The insert ensures sufficient stability during the crimping process.

Preferably, the insert part has a hollow cylindrical section which extends beyond the upper inner step into the valve housing and into which the shaft body is sealingly guided. Here, the insert serves to guide the shaft and the reduction of the first volume, whereby unused dead space is reduced.

Preferably, the opening of the insert has a larger diameter than the opening of the upper seal. In this way, on the one hand, the sealing effect of the upper seal is increased and, secondly, liquid can pass from the input channel into the first volume or from this into the output channel of the shaft, if the upper seal has been passed by a corresponding opening upon actuation of the valve ,

In a preferred embodiment, a lower portion of the shaft body is guided in the piston channel of the valve piston, in which the second partial volume is defined. In an alternative embodiment, the shaft body at its end facing the valve piston on a cylindrical cavity which defines the second sub-volume and in which an upper portion of the Ventilkobens dips.

Preferably, a circumferential reduction of the inner diameter of the piston channel and a circumferential thickening of the lower portion of the shaft body limit the relative movement between the valve piston and the shaft body and thus define the size of the second partial volume. In an alternative embodiment, a circumferential thickening of the valve head and a circumferential projection of the shaft body pointing into the cavity delimit the relative movement between the valve head and the shaft body and thus define the size of the second partial volume. Furthermore, it prevents the upper Section of the valve piston emerges from the hollow of the shaft body and the components wedge in the valve body.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one sealing means is arranged on the circumference of the valve head and / or on the circumference of the shaft body, which sealingly cooperates with the inner wall of the valve housing. Preferably, the sealing means is designed as a circumferential sealing lip or as a sealing ring.

In a preferred embodiment, the inlet valve has a lower seal facing the inlet opening of the valve housing, which increases the sealing effect in this area. The inlet valve may also be referred to as a plug which closes the lower inlet opening

Preferably, the inlet valve extends at least with an upper portion in the piston channel of the valve piston. Here, the inlet valve of the leadership of the lower spring and the limitation of the vertically executable movement of the shaft body is used.

In a preferred embodiment, the shaft has at least one lower transverse channel, which is connected to the input channel and can be connected to the first volume when the valve is actuated.

In a preferred embodiment, the shaft has at least one upper transverse channel, which is connected to the output channel and can be connected to the first volume upon actuation of the valve.

Preferably, the inlet channel and outlet channel are separated from each other in the axial direction of the shaft body.

Preferably, the valve housing has an outer stage, which rests in the inserted state of the valve to a part of the fluid container. This allows the stability of the valve axially in the direction of a container in which it can be used even further increase.

Fig. 1

zeigt im Schnitt ein erfindungsgemäßes Ventil in einer ersten Stellung, ein- gesetzt in einen Ventilteller

Fig. 2

zeigt das Ventil aus Fig. 1 in einer Stellung während der Betätigung.

Fig. 3

zeigt das Ventil aus Fig. 1 in einer weiteren Stellung während der Betätigung.

Fig. 4

zeigt das Ventil aus Fig. 1 in einer letzten Stellung während der Betätigung.

Fig. 5

zeigt im Schnitt eine alternative Ausgestaltung des erfindungsgemäßen Ventils in einer ersten Stellung.

Fig. 6

zeigt das Ventil aus Fig. 5 in einer Stellung während der Betätigung.

Fig. 7

zeigt das Ventil aus Fig. 5 in einer weiteren Stellung während der Betätigung.

Fig. 8

zeigt das Ventil aus Fig. 5 in einer letzten Stellung während der Betätigung.

Fig. 9.

zeigt im Schnitt eine alternative Ausgestaltung eines Schaftkörpers

A preferred embodiment of the valve according to the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures:

Fig. 1

shows in section a valve according to the invention in a first position, inserted into a valve disk

Fig. 2

shows the valve Fig. 1 in a position during operation.

Fig. 3

shows the valve Fig. 1 in another position during operation.

Fig. 4

shows the valve Fig. 1 in a last position during the operation.

Fig. 5

shows in section an alternative embodiment of the valve according to the invention in a first position.

Fig. 6

shows the valve Fig. 5 in a position during operation.

Fig. 7

shows the valve Fig. 5 in another position during operation.

Fig. 8

shows the valve Fig. 5 in a last position during the operation.

Fig. 9.

shows in section an alternative embodiment of a shaft body

That in the FIGS. 1 to 8 shown valve for the metered delivery of liquids is inserted into a valve plate 10 which is attached via an outer seal 12 to a fluid container, not shown. The valve disk 10 has a base 13 which merges toward the center into a cylindrical portion 14 facing away from the fluid container and pointing upwards. In the cylindrical portion 14, a valve housing 20 is inserted, which extends down into the fluid container. At the periphery of the cylindrical portion 14 a plurality of spaced indentations 15 are arranged, which engage behind a circumferential outer step 25 of the valve housing 20, whereby a depression of the valve is prevented in the fluid container. At the top, the valve is held in place by a lid portion 16, which is a horizontally extending continuation of the cylindrical portion 14 and has an opening 11. The opening 11 in the lid portion 16 forms the opening of the fluid container. By engaging the outer step 25 recesses 15, the lid portion 16 and an arranged between the valve housing 20 and the lid portion 16 upper seal 23 is a tight and secure interaction between the valve housing 20 and valve disc 10 is provided.

The valve housing 20 is substantially cylindrical and, in addition to an upper inner stage 24 belonging to the outer step 25 in the upper region, has two further stepped tapers. These are in a lower region of the valve housing 20, a central inner stage 26 and a lower inner lower step 27. At the lower inner stage 27, at a lower, facing the interior of the fluid container end of the valve housing 20, an input port 21 is defined. At the top, ie at the container end, the valve body is closed by an insert 22 which rests on the upper inner stage 24. The Insert 22 and the upper seal 23 arranged thereon are clamped between the upper inner stage 24 and the lid portion 16 of the valve disk 10. The insert 22 and the upper seal 23 have an opening 11 of the valve disc 10 corresponding opening, wherein the diameter of the opening of the insert 22 is slightly larger than that of the upper seal 23rd

In the valve housing 20, a shaft body 40, a valve piston 30 and an inlet valve 50, hereinafter referred to as plug 50, arranged. The plug 50 and a lower seal 51 arranged underneath are guided in the valve housing 20 above the lower inner stage 27 and are at this stage on actuation of the valve. For introducing liquid into the valve housing 20, the plug 50 is raised. To pass the liquid past the plug 50 and the lower seal 51, the plug and the seal have a diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of the valve housing 20 in this area. The diameter of the plug 50 and the lower seal 51 are selected so that the plug 50 sealingly abuts the lower inner stage 27 upon actuation of the valve and the inlet opening 21 closes. Alternatively, channel-like recesses may also be provided on the inner circumference of the valve housing 20 or on the circumference of the plug 50 and the lower seal 51 for this purpose.

The valve piston 30 has on its circumference a circumferential piston sealing lip 34 which bears sealingly against the inner wall of the valve housing 20. Between the valve piston 30 and the plug 50, a lower spring 9 is arranged, the valve piston 30 and plug 50 biases against each other. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1-4 the plug 50 serves to guide the lower spring 9 and extends into the valve housing 20 accordingly. In this area, between valve piston 30 and plug 50, a first partial volume 3 is defined. Through the valve piston 30 extends in the axial direction, a piston channel 31. Above the Piston sealing lip 34, the valve piston 30 has an upper portion 32 with a smaller diameter, whereby a step 36 is formed.

In an upper region near the container distal end of the valve housing 20 of the shaft body 40 is arranged, which has at its periphery a circumferential shaft sealing lip 48 which sealingly abuts the inner wall of a hollow cylindrical portion 221 of the insert 22, which extends beyond the upper inner stage 24 in the valve housing extends ( FIGS. 1-4 ). In an alternative embodiment according to FIGS. 5-8 the circumferential shaft sealing lip 48 abuts against the inner wall of the valve housing 20. Between a step of the shaft body 40 below the shaft sealing lip 48 and the step 36 of the valve piston 30, an upper spring 8 is tensioned. Above the shaft sealing lip 48, the shaft body 40 has a shaft 41 with a smaller diameter, whereby a step 411 is formed. The shaft 41 is guided through the opening of the insert 22 and the upper seal 23 and the opening 11 in the lid portion 16 of the valve disk 10.

The shaft body 40 of the valve according to FIGS. 1-4 has a lower portion 49 of smaller diameter, which extends into the piston channel 31 of the valve piston 30 and sealingly guided therein. The piston channel 31 has a circumferential reduction in the inner diameter 38, which cooperates with a circumferential thickening 491 of the lower portion 49 of the shaft body 40 and limited by the upper spring 8 axial displacement of the valve piston 30 and the shaft body 40 against each other. In the lower portion 49, an axial input channel 42 extends, which opens into two lower transverse channels 43, which lead slightly above the step 411 of the shaft 41 from this. In the closed state of the valve, the stage 411 of the shaft body 40 bears against the insert part 22 of the valve housing 20. In this position, the outputs of the lower transverse channels 43 are at the level of the insert 22, below the upper Seal 23. The piston channel 31, the input channel 42 and the lower transverse channels 43 define a second sub-volume second

In an alternative embodiment ( FIGS. 5-8 ), the shaft body 40 has a bottom-open, cylindrical cavity 46, which extends approximately to the level of the shaft sealing lip 48. The upper portion 32 of the valve piston 30 extends into this cylindrical cavity 46 and is sealingly guided therein. The upper portion 32 of the valve piston 30 has at its upper end a circumferential thickening 33, which cooperates with a circumferential, pointing into the cylindrical cavity 46 projection 47 at the lower end of the shaft body 40. Thus, a driven by the upper spring 8 axial displacement of the valve piston 30 and the shaft body 40 is limited to each other. In the area of the circumferential thickening 33 runs a concentric trench 37, which ensures a certain elasticity of the thickening 33, whereby an mating of the valve piston 30 and the shaft body 40 is facilitated in the assembly of the valve. The cylindrical cavity 46 continues upward in an axial input channel 42. Two lower transverse channels 43 lead from the input channel 42 to the outside. In the closed state of the valve, the stage 411 of the shaft body 40 bears against the insert part 22 of the valve housing 20. In this position, the outputs of the lower transverse channels 43 are at the level of the insert 22, below the upper seal 23. The cylindrical cavity 46, the input channel 42 and the lower transverse channels 43 define a second partial volume second

In the shaft 41 of the shaft body 40 extends above the input channel 42, but separate from this, an axial output channel 44, which opens into a container-shaped opening of the shaft 41. At the lower end of the output channel 44, two upper transverse channels 45 are arranged, which from the output channel 44 to lead outside. In the closed state of the valve, the outputs of the upper transverse channels 45 are above the opening 11 of the valve disk 10th

In a starting position of the valve according to Fig. 1 respectively. Fig. 5 That is, in non-actuation of the valve, the stage 411 and thus also the shaft sealing lip 48 of the shaft body 40 abuts against the insert part 22 of the valve housing 20. The shaft body 40 and the valve piston 30 are located by the upper spring 8 at a maximum distance from each other. The plug 50 is opened due to a pressure in the fluid container against the spring force of the lower spring 9. A liquid to be metered and discharged flows through the inlet opening 21 past the plug 50 into the valve housing. In this case, a dosing is filled with liquid, which is composed of the first sub-volume 3 between the valve piston 30 and plug 50 and the second sub-volume 2.

Upon actuation of the valve, as in Fig. 2 respectively. Fig. 6 shown, the shaft body 40 is pressed in the direction of the fluid container. In this case, the plug 50 is pressed onto the lower inner stage 27 via the spring forces of the upper and lower spring 8, 9, whereby the lower seal 51 closes the inlet opening 21 of the valve housing 20. The lower transverse channels 43 of the shaft 41 now open below the insert 22. Between the shaft body 40 above the step 411 and insert 22, a first volume 1 is formed, flows into the liquid. By pressure on the shaft 41, the shaft body 40 and the valve piston 30 are pushed against each other against the force of the upper spring 8, whereby liquid displaces and pressure is built up in the valve housing.

In the embodiment of the FIGS. 1-4 For example, the plug 50 has vertical, channel-like recesses 53, approximately at the level of the central inner stage 26, which have a fluid connection between the first partial volume 3 and the second partial volume 2 when the valve piston 30 is pushed over the plug 30 to the middle inner stage.

Another downward movement of the shaft body 40 according to Fig. 3 respectively. Fig. 7 biases the upper spring 8 maximum whereby additional pressure is exerted on the liquid. The second partial volume 2 is minimized and the first volume 1 increases further. As a result of further downward movement of the shaft body 40, the upper transverse channels 45 pass through the upper seal 23, so that the output channel 44 is connected to the first volume 1. Thus, all liquid-filled areas are now connected via the output channel 44 to the environment.

Due to the built-up displacement pressure and relaxation of the upper spring 8, which presses the valve piston 30 to the middle inner stage 26 of the valve housing 20, the liquid escapes from the valve ( Fig. 4 respectively. Fig. 8 ). After the metered amount of liquid is discharged, the lower spring 9 relaxes and the valve returns to the starting position ( Fig. 1 respectively. Fig. 5 ).

Due to the described operation, the valve can also be described as a pumping device. In addition to the function of controlling an inlet and outlet of liquids, pressures are also created when the valve is actuated, which gives the arrangement the function of a manual pump.

Fig. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of a shaft body 40 in the FIGS. 5 to 8 shown embodiment of the valve according to the invention. Input channel 42 and output channel 44 are in this case arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the shaft body, so that can be dispensed with transverse channels 43, 45.

Claims (15)

Valve for metered delivery of liquids, with - A valve housing (20) which is sealingly insertable into an opening (11) of a fluid container, a valve piston (30) which is guided in the valve housing (20) and has at least one piston channel (31), - An inlet valve (50) sealingly in the valve housing (20) at an input port (21) of the valve housing (20) is present, - A lower spring (9) which is stretched between the valve piston (30) and plug (50), - A shaft body (40) having at least one input channel (42) and a shaft (41) having at least one output channel (44) sealingly guided out of the valve housing (20) and in the inserted state of the opening (11) of the fluid container protrudes, - An upper spring (8) which is stretched between the valve piston (30) and shaft body (40), a first volume (1), which can be formed between shaft body (40) and an upper end (22) of the valve housing (20), - One formed between the shaft body (40) and inlet valve (50)
Dosing range (2, 3),
wherein by actuation of the valve, the metering region (2, 3) with the first volume (1) via the input channel (42) of the shaft body (40) is connectable and by further actuation of the valve, the output channel (44) of the shaft (41) the first volume (1) is connectable. Valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the metering region (2, 3) between the valve piston (30) and inlet valve (50) has a first partial volume (3) and below and in continuation of the input channel (42) of the shaft body (40) comprises a second sub-volume (2) which are interconnected. Valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper end (22) of the valve housing (20) has an upper seal (23) having an opening through which the shaft (41) is guided. Valve according to claim 3, characterized in that the upper end (22) is an insert (22) which rests on an upper inner stage (24) of the valve housing (20). Valve according to claim 4, characterized in that the insert part (22) has a hollow cylindrical portion (221) which extends beyond the upper inner stage (24) into the valve housing (20) and in which the shaft body (40) is sealingly guided , Valve according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the opening of the insert (22) has a larger diameter than the opening of the upper seal (23). Valve according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the shaft body (40) at its end pointing to the valve piston (30) has a cylindrical cavity (46) which defines the second partial volume (2) and in which an upper portion ( 32) of the valve piston (30) is immersed. Valve according to claim 7, characterized in that a circumferential thickening (33) of the Ventilkobens (30) and a circumferential, in the cylindrical Cavity (46) facing projection (47) of the shaft body (40) limit the relative movement between Ventilkoben (30) and shaft body (40) and thus define the size of the second sub-volume (2). Valve according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that a lower portion (49) of the shaft body (40) in the piston channel (31) of the valve piston (30) is guided, in which the second sub-volume (2) is defined. Valve according to claim 9, characterized in that a circumferential reduction of the inner diameter (38) of the piston channel (31) and a circumferential thickening (491) of the lower portion (49) of the shaft body (40), the relative movement between the valve piston (30) and shaft body ( 40) and thus define the size of the second sub-volume (2). Valve according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that on the circumference of the Ventilkobens (30) at least one sealing means (34) is arranged, which cooperates sealingly with the inner wall of the valve housing (20) and / or on the circumference of the shaft body (40). at least one sealing means (48) is arranged, which cooperates sealingly with the inner wall of the valve housing (20) and the hollow cylindrical portion (221) of the insert (22). Valve according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the inlet valve (50) has a the inlet opening (21) of the valve housing (20) facing lower seal (51). Valve according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the inlet valve (50) extends at least with an upper portion (42) in the piston channel (31) of the valve piston (30). Valve according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the shaft (41) has at least one lower transverse channel (43) which is connected to the input channel (42) and can be connected to the first volume (1) when the valve is actuated and / or at least one upper transverse channel (45) which is connected to the output channel (44) and can be connected to the first volume (1) when the valve is actuated. Valve according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the inlet channel (42) and outlet channel (44) extend in the axial direction of the shaft body (40) and are separated from each other by a partition wall.

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