DE102023212657A1 - Cap and pressure vessel with cap - Google Patents

Abstract

A closure cap for a pressure vessel with a valve for dispensing a medium stored in the pressure vessel is specified, with a base part (12) which is designed for attachment to the pressure vessel (5), with a cover part (14) which is rotatably received on the base part (12) and which can be rotated into at least two positions, an open position and a closed position, and with an actuating element (24) which, in the open position, is accessible via a recess (21) in the cover part (14) for activating the valve, wherein, in the closed position, activation of the valve is blocked by an at least partial cover by the cover part (14).

Description

The invention relates to a closure cap for a pressure vessel with a valve for dispensing a medium stored in the pressure vessel. The medium can be any medium that flows under pressure and can be dispensed via a valve. It can be, for example, a gaseous, liquid, or pasty medium, such as a fluid, such as in a spray can. It should be noted here that the term "pressure vessel" is to be understood in the broadest sense. It is irrelevant how the pressure required to dispense the medium is generated or provided.

The closure cap can basically be a cover cap with an integrated valve or a twist/spray cap.

In the simplest case, to discharge the medium from the pressure vessel, there is a nozzle head that is placed on an outlet tube of the valve and, for example, activates the valve when pressed down, so that the medium stored under pressure can escape.

However, this can lead to incorrect operation and dripping of the medium.

From the EP 3 589 561 B1 A closure cap for a spray housing is known, which is dome-shaped and intended to snap onto a tip of the spray housing, the cap being provided with a lateral opening for access to an actuating button of a valve of the spray housing, the cap being further provided on its tip with an axial opening for access to an axial distribution device mounted on an outlet tube of the valve in the extension of a rotation axis of the housing, and the cap being further provided with a protective flap for the lateral opening, which can be actuated between a position for covering the lateral opening and a position with free access to the lateral opening, the two-part cap comprising a base provided with a rim forming a lower part of the dome, and an attached lid mounted on the base in the extension of the rim forming an upper part of the dome and enclosing the axial opening, the lateral opening being formed at least partially in the lid and at most partially in the rim, and the flap being located within the cap and sliding in sliding rails at the bottom of the base and at the top of the lid.

This is intended to enable simple and reliable operation of the valve. However, the design is quite complicated.

From the EP 3 286 106 B1 A closure cap in the form of a dispensing head for an aerosol container provided with a valve is known, wherein the dispensing head is formed by a cap on which an actuating member provided with a push-button is fastened, which push-button can be displaced between a non-pressed rest position and a pressed-in actuating position, wherein the actuating member is provided with a blocking element that can pivot about an axis of rotation, namely between an unlocked position in which it does not block the movement of the push-button with respect to the cap and a locked position in which it blocks the push-button in the rest position by preventing it from reaching the actuating position, wherein the push-button is provided with a rib that runs parallel to the displacement movement of the push-button between the rest position and the actuating position, and wherein the blocking element is provided with a bearing surface which, in the unlocked position, is not located in the path traveled by the rib when the push-button is displaced from the rest position to the actuating position, and which, in the locked position is located in this path in such a way that the rib strikes the support surface when the push button is moved towards the actuating position without being able to reach this position.

This is also intended to enable simple and reliable valve operation. However, this design is also quite complicated.

From the FR 3 107 075 B1 A cap for an aerosol can is known, shaped like a dome, provided with a circular base covering the top of the aerosol can, with a first opening part for the passage of a diffuser and comprising a cylindrical skirt inside the dome, open by a second opening part for the passage of the diffuser, communicating with the first opening part and provided with a free opening, with a lower circular end, the skirt being provided on the inside of its lower circular end with teeth or hook clips designed to snap under an annular bead formed by expanding or crimping a valve holder cup on the top of a dome of the aerosol can, the skirt having at least one slot opening between two of the teeth at the level of the lower circular end of the skirt.

The cap is designed to prevent dispensed product, such as paint, from getting on the fingers of the operator using the spray can. This design is also quite complex.

Against this background, the object of the invention is to provide a closure cap for a pressure vessel with a valve for dispensing a medium from the pressure vessel, which has the simplest and most reliable construction possible and enables a simple and safe operation for a user.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a closure cap with a base part which is designed for attachment to the pressure vessel, with a cover part which is rotatably received on the base part and which can be rotated in at least two positions, an open position and a closed position, and with an actuating element for activating the valve, wherein the actuating element is accessible from the outside via a recess in a wall of the cover part in the open position in order to allow activation of the valve, and wherein the actuating element is covered by the wall of the cover part in the closed position.

The closure cap features a particularly simple design. Activation of the valve is achieved by rotating the lid from the closed position, in which activation of the actuating element is prevented by the lid wall, to the open position. This opens the recess in the lid wall, allowing access to the actuating element, which can be actuated to activate the valve.

Preferably, the closed position and the open position are each understood to be an end position, which is reached when the cover part is rotated relative to the base part by a predetermined angle. For this purpose, a locking mechanism can be provided in the respective end position.

Further preferably, activation of the actuating element is blocked in intermediate positions between the closed position and the open position. For this purpose, blocking elements can be provided on the cover part, for example, which block actuation of the actuating element in all other angular positions except the open position.

In principle, however, it would also be conceivable to allow actuation of the actuating element in certain intermediate positions before reaching the open position, for example, when an angle of ≤ 20° is still missing before reaching the open position. This could be achieved by appropriately restricting the angular position of blocking elements that prevent actuation of the actuating element.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the base part and the cover part are essentially cap-shaped with a circular cross-section, wherein the wall of the cover part has a ceiling surface which is adjoined by an edge surface, and wherein the recess on the wall of the cover part extends over part of the ceiling surface and part of the edge surface.

Such an arrangement of the recess allows particularly easy access for operation.

The recess preferably extends over an angular range of 30° to 180°, preferably from 100° to 140°, more preferably from 115° to 125° or about 120°.

Such a wide angle range results in particularly easy operation, allowing reliable handling even when wearing gloves.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the actuating element is designed as a button which is held on the base part.

This supports a simple and reliable construction.

Preferably, the button is designed to be pivotable on the base part, preferably by means of a joint.

In this way, the button can be manufactured as a cast part, in particular an injection-molded part, as a pressed part, etc. together with the base part, wherein the joint can simply be formed by a flexible section which is supported on an associated projection.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the button has an integrity protection to indicate a first actuation.

This is advantageous for detecting the first activation of the cap. For this purpose, a thin plastic bridge can be provided on the button, which is connected to the base and is destroyed upon initial activation.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the button has a central outflow channel which is adapted to the shape of the valve wherein the button projects outwards from the central outflow channel to one side with a touch surface and is pivotably supported on a projection on the opposite side.

When the button is pressed down, the central outflow channel is also moved towards the valve, which actuates the valve.

This allows for particularly simple and reliable integration of the button into the closure cap. Activation of the valve is particularly straightforward. The pivoting support on a projection enables a hinged function in a particularly simple manner. The support on the projection is located as far away from the pressure vessel as possible to minimize bending of the valve's outlet tube.

According to a further preferred embodiment, a closure is provided for closing an outflow channel of the valve in the closed position.

This reduces or even completely eliminates dripping from the valve. This is particularly beneficial when the dispensed medium is paint or another medium that could contaminate a user's fingers. Furthermore, even if the pressure vessel with the cap falls, unwanted leakage of medium from the pressure vessel can be safely prevented.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the closure has a closure element, preferably in the form of a closure plate, which is coupled to a pivoting mechanism for covering an outflow channel for the valve in the closed position and for releasing the outflow channel in the open position.

In this way, moving the cap into the open position releases the outflow channel.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the closure part, the closure plate, is pivotably and displaceably mounted off-center to the outflow channel by means of a guide opening on a pin and is movable by means of a pivot arm projecting from the guide opening to one side, which pivot arm engages in a guide channel of the cover part, to cover the outflow channel of the valve in the closed position and to release the outflow channel in the open position.

In this way, a secure closure of the outflow channel in the closed position and a secure release in the open position are guaranteed.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the pivot arm engages in the guide channel by means of a pin which, when stopped at one end of the guide channel, limits a movement of the cover part into the open position and which, when stopped at the other end of the guide channel, limits a movement of the cover part into the closed position.

Due to these features, reaching the open position and the closed position is limited by the stop.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the closure plate has, at its end opposite the pivot arm, a stop for an associated pin on the base part, which indicates that the closed position has been reached when it is struck.

This provides additional security when the closed position is reached.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cover part can be locked in at least two positions, i.e. both in the open position and in the closed position, at each end, preferably by assigning locking openings to the pin of the pivot arm at both ends of the guide channel.

In this way, the user can recognize when both the closed and open positions have been reached not only visually but also haptically.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the closure part is designed to be lowered onto the outflow channel and to close the outflow channel in the closed position.

This ensures that the valve is sealed in the closed position in a particularly secure manner.

The closure cap can be connected to the pressure vessel in any way. For example, it can be glued, snapped, screwed, pinned, or welded to the pressure vessel, depending on the material. It goes without saying that the pressure vessel can be made of any material, such as metal (e.g., tinplate), plastic, glass, etc.

Advantageously, fastening elements, e.g. locking elements, can be provided on the base part to enable locking with a pressure container, for example in the form of a spray can.

The closure cap is preferably made of plastic and can be manufactured using an injection molding process, which enables cost-effective production in large quantities.

It is understood that the features of the invention mentioned above and to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

• 1 eine erfindungsgemäße Verschlusskappe in perspektivischer Darstellung in einer Schließstellung;
• 2 die Verschlusskappe gemäß 1 in einer Offenstellung;
• 3 einen Querschnitt durch die Verschlusskappe gemäß 1;
• 4 einen Querschnitt durch die Verschlusskappe gemäß 3, jedoch mit einem anderen Schnittverlauf;
• 5 eine perspektivische Ansicht der Verschlusskappe gemäß 1 in der Schließstellung von schräg oben, wobei jedoch die Deckenfläche des Deckelteils nicht dargestellt ist;
• 6 eine perspektivische Ansicht der Verschlusskappe gemäß 5 in der Offenstellung von schräg oben;
• 7 eine Explosionsdarstellung des Basisteils und des Deckelteils vor dem Zusammenbau mit dem Verschlussteil;
• 8 eine Unteransicht der Verschlusskappe und
• 9 eine Ansicht der Verschlusskappe gemäß 1, bei der zusätzlich ein zugeordneter Druckbehälter in Form einer Sprühflasche dargestellt ist.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawing. The individual figures in the drawing are not to scale. They show:

• 1 a closure cap according to the invention in a perspective view in a closed position;
• 2 the cap according to 1 in an open position;
• 3 a cross-section through the closure cap according to 1 ;
• 4 a cross-section through the closure cap according to 3 , but with a different cutting path;
• 5 a perspective view of the closure cap according to 1 in the closed position from diagonally above, although the ceiling surface of the cover part is not shown;
• 6 a perspective view of the closure cap according to 5 in the open position from diagonally above;
• 7 an exploded view of the base part and the lid part before assembly with the closure part;
• 8 a bottom view of the cap and
• 9 a view of the cap according to 1 , which also shows an associated pressure vessel in the form of a spray bottle.

A closure cap according to the invention is 1 shown in perspective and designated overall with the number 10. 9 shows the same closure cap 10, which is placed on the outer edge of a pressure vessel 5 in the form of a spray can and locked therein. The pressure vessel 5 has, in a known manner, a central valve through which, when actuated, a medium stored under pressure in the pressure vessel 5, e.g., a paint, can escape.

The closure cap 10 according to the invention closes the valve of the pressure vessel 5 against unintentional actuation and provides fall protection. In addition, unintentional leakage of medium stored in the pressure vessel is prevented.

The closure cap 10 has a base part 12 and a lid part 14, which is rotatably connected to the base part. The lid part 14 has a substantially cylindrical cap shape, which is closed off on the outside by a wall 15. The wall 15 has a top surface 16, which is adjoined by an edge surface 18. A recess 21 is formed in the wall 15 of the lid part 14, which extends over part of the top surface 16 and part of the edge surface 18 and covers an angular range of approximately 120°. A central recess 20 is provided on the top surface 16 of the lid part 14, which is in the shape of a rounded triangle and, in the case shown, is covered from the inside.

The cap is in 1 shown in a closed position in which no actuation of the valve of the pressure vessel 5 is possible. In this position, the edge-side recess 21 is closed from the inside by a wall 19 of the base part 12.

2 shows the closure cap 10' after the cover part 14 has been rotated by 120°, so that an open position is reached. The central recess 20 is now exposed from the inside. Accessible via the edge recess 21 is an actuating element or button 24 with a touch surface 26, which enables actuation of the valve on the associated pressure vessel 5, so that in this position, a medium stored therein can escape to the outside via an outflow channel 22.

From the sectional view according to 3 At the outer end, a locking recess 28 can be seen, with which the base part 12 can be placed on the upper edge of an associated pressure vessel 5 and thus locked.

Furthermore, in 3 the button 24 is visible. It extends from the touch surface 26 on the left side to the middle, enclosing the outlet channel 22 adapted to the valve, then runs via a transverse rib 30 parallel to the ceiling surface 16, then continues via a downwardly projecting support rib 32, which supported on an associated projection 34, forming a joint 36 by means of which the button 24 can be pivoted downward toward the pressure vessel 5 to actuate the valve. From there, the support rib 32 continues obliquely upward, then runs parallel to the top surface 16 of the cover part 14, and finally ends at the outer wall 19 of the base part 12.

If the button 24 is actuated, the connected outflow channel 22 is simultaneously displaced in the direction of the valve of the pressure vessel 5, thereby actuating the latter.

Since the joint 36 is offset far toward the pressure vessel 5, only minimal bending stress occurs on the valve. Furthermore, the length ratios ensure only a relatively small deflection of the valve.

The valve actuation depends on how far the button 24 is pressed. This allows the dosage of an emerging spray jet.

A spray pattern can be influenced by the shape and arrangement of the outlet channel 22.

In the 3 and 4 In the closed position shown, the central recess 20 in the ceiling surface 16 of the cover part 14 is closed from the inside by a closure 40. This prevents unintentional leakage of medium from the pressure vessel 5 when not in use.

The cover part 14 is held rotatably at its edge surface 18 by means of an inner bead 42 which engages in an associated outer bead 44 on the base part 12.

Based on the 5 and 6 The structure and function of the closure 40 will now be described in more detail in the illustrations shown.

In the 5 In the closed position shown, a closure plate 42 of the closure 40 covers the outer end of the outflow channel 22 (cf. 6 ) to the outside or closes the central recess 20 on the cover part 14. The closure plate 42 has an approximately rectangular surface which continues in a pivot arm 48 which carries a pin 56 at its outer end which engages in a guide channel 50 of the base part 12 and is additionally connected to the cover part 14. At both its ends, the guide channel 50 has a locking opening 50 and 52 in which the pin 56 can be locked.

The closure plate 42 is pivotably and displaceably held on a pin 46 of the base part 14 by means of an elongated guide opening 44, which is located in the attachment area of the pivot arm 48.

At the end of the closure plate 42 opposite the pivot arm 48, a stop in the form of a recess 58 is also provided, which in the 5 shown closed position engages a pin 60 on the base part 12.

In the 5 In the closed position shown, the pin 56 of the pivot arm 48 is engaged in the locking opening 54 of the guide channel 50 and thus indicates that the closed position has been reached.

If the cover part 14 is now rotated relative to the base part 12 in the direction of the open position, the closure plate 42 is pivoted via the pin 56 by means of the pivot arm 48 and moved within the elongated guide opening 44 until finally the 6 shown open position is reached, in which the pin 56 engages in the locking opening 54.

Since the pin 46, on which the closure plate 42 is mounted by means of the elongated guide opening 44, is arranged off-center, i.e. slightly offset from the outflow channel 22, the closure plate 42 is moved away from the outflow channel 22 into a position according to 6 moved so that the outflow channel 22 is released.

In principle, in the embodiment described so far, actuation of the button 24 would already be possible if a sufficient rotation of the cover part 14 relative to the base part 12 in the direction of the open position has taken place, so that the button 24 is accessible from the outside via the edge-side recess 21, albeit not completely but still partially, so that actuation is possible.

This is preferably prevented by, for example, providing blocking elements (not shown) on the cover part 14, which block actuation of the button 24 as long as the desired end position in the open position is not reached.

List of reference symbols

5

pressure vessel

10

cap

12

Base part

14

cover part

15

Wall

16

Ceiling area

18

edge surface

19

Wall

20

central recess

21

edge-side recess for buttons

22

Outlet channel

24

button

26

Touch surface

28

locking recess

30

transverse rib

32

Support rib

34

projection

36

joint

40

closure

42

locking plate

44

Guide opening

46

cones

48

swivel arm

50

guide channel

52

locking opening

54

locking opening

56

cones

58

Deepening

60

cones

QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 3 589 561 B1 [0005]
• EP 3 286 106 B1 [0007]
• FR 3 107 075 B1 [0009]

Claims (15)

Closure cap for a pressure vessel (5) with a valve for dispensing a medium stored in the pressure vessel, with a base part (12) which is designed for attachment to the pressure vessel (5), with a cover part (14) which is rotatably received on the base part (12) and which can be rotated into at least two positions, an open position and a closed position, and with an actuating element (14) for activating the valve, wherein the actuating element (14) is accessible from the outside in the open position via a recess (21) in a wall (15) of the cover part (14) in order to allow activation of the valve, and wherein the actuating element (14) is covered by the wall (15) of the cover part (14) in the closed position. Cap after Claim 1 , in which the base part (12) and the cover part (14) are essentially cap-shaped with a circular cross-section, wherein the cover part (14) has a wall (15) with a ceiling surface (16) to which an edge surface (18) adjoins, and wherein the recess (21) on the wall (15) of the cover part (14) extends over part of the ceiling surface (16) and part of the edge surface (18). Cap after Claim 1 or 2 , in which the recess (21) extends over an angular range of 30° to 180°, preferably from 100° to 140°, more preferably from 115° to 125°. Closure cap according to one of the preceding claims, in which the actuating element (24) is designed as a button which is held on the base part (12). Cap after Claim 4 in which the button (24) is pivotable on the base part (12), preferably by means of a joint (36). Cap after Claim 4 or 5 , in which the button (24) has an integrity protection to indicate a first actuation. Cap according to one of the Claims 4 until 6 , in which the button (24) has a central outflow channel (22) which is adapted to the shape of the valve, the button (24) protruding outwards from the central outflow channel (22) to one side with a touch surface (26) and being pivotably supported on a projection (34) on the opposite side. Closure cap according to one of the preceding claims, with a closure (40) for closing an outflow channel (22) of the valve in the closed position. Cap after Claim 8 , in which the closure (40) has a closure element, preferably in the form of a closure plate (42), which is coupled to a pivoting mechanism for covering an outflow channel (22) for the valve in the closed position and for releasing the outflow channel (22) in the open position. Cap after Claim 9 , in which the closure plate (42) is pivotably and displaceably mounted on a pin (46) by means of a guide opening (44) off-center relative to the outflow channel (22) and is movable by means of a pivot arm (48) projecting to one side from the guide opening (44) and engaging in a guide channel (50) of the base part (12) to cover the outflow channel (22) of the valve in the closed position and to release the outflow channel (22) in the open position. Cap after Claim 10 in which the pivot arm (48) engages in the guide channel (50) by means of a pin (46) engaging the cover part (14), which pin limits movement of the cover part (14) into the open position when it strikes one end of the guide channel (50) and which limits movement of the cover part (14) into the closed position when it strikes the other end of the guide channel (50). Cap after Claim 9 , 10 or 11 in which the closure plate (42) has, at its end opposite the pivot arm (48), a stop (58) for an associated pin (60) on the base part (12), which indicates that the closed position has been reached when it is struck. Closure cap according to one of the preceding claims, which can be locked in at least two positions, preferably in that in a closure cap according to Claim 11 the pin (56) of the swivel arm (48) is assigned locking openings (52, 54) at both ends of the guide channel (50). Cap according to one of the Claims 8 until 13 , in which the closure is designed to be lowered onto the outflow channel (22) and to close the outflow channel (22) in the closed position. Pressure vessel with a valve for dispensing a medium stored in the pressure vessel, with a closure cap (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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