ES3060605T3 - Spring device for a valve unit for a container - Google Patents

Abstract

Spring device (10) for a valve unit (11) for a container, comprising an elastic element (12) provided with a first end portion (17) that in use can be associated with, or defines, a movable head (13) configured to cooperate with the valve unit (11) and a second end portion (18) that in use can be associated with a support element (14) provided in said valve unit (11). (Automatic translation using Google Translate, no legal value)

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Spring device for a valve unit for a vessel

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a spring device for a valve unit for a container.

[0005] The containers in which the spring device associated with the valve unit can be used may be "barrel" type containers, with two coaxial bodies, of which an outer container, or drum, has the function of support and protection, and an inner container, or bag, is used to hold the beverage. The valve unit may be associated with a beverage dispensing device.

[0006] The extraction of the beverage can be carried out, depending on how the two containers are made, either by pressing on the outer container, or by introducing a gas, for example pressurized air, between the outer and inner containers.

[0007] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Valve units for controlling and regulating fluid flow are known in the prior art. Their use is widespread in various sectors and in numerous applications where it is necessary to selectively allow or prevent the flow of a fluid under certain operating conditions.

[0009] Also known are fluid containers, particularly for beverages, comprising valve units and closing devices that allow the beverage to flow out during a dispensing phase and allow the container to be closed when dispensing of the beverage is not required.

[0010] These valve units may consist, for example, of a valve body and a spring device provided with at least one elastic element suitable for compression when pressed by a dispensing device associated with the container or for extension when the dispensing device is removed. This elastic element is associated with a movable closing unit of the valve unit. This movable closing unit substantially opens or closes the passage of the beverage from the inside to the outside of the container and thus permits or prevents the dispensing of the beverage.

[0011] When the dispensing device is applied, the movable closing unit of the valve unit moves downward, compressing the elastic element of the spring device and allowing the beverage to flow out. If the dispensing device is removed, the movable closing unit of the valve unit rises under the pressure of the elastic element, closing off the passage to the beverage.

[0012] This elastic element used in known spring devices is often composed of several components and with shapes, for example zigzag or similar, which increase its complexity and do not guarantee precise and reliable operation.

[0013] Furthermore, known elastic elements are often not capable of exerting, when released, an elastic thrust force that ensures a perfect closure of the valve unit.

[0014] Document US-A1-2021/229972 A1 describes a known spring device in which there are two zigzag elastic elements separated from each other and arranged on opposite sides with respect to a central axis of the spring device.

[0015] There is, therefore, a need to perfect a spring device for a valve unit for a vessel that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0016] An objective of the present invention is to provide a spring device for a valve unit for a container which, thanks to the shape of the elastic element with which it is provided, has precise operation and allows said valve unit to perform perfect and precise opening and closing operations of the passage for the beverage.

[0017] Another objective is to provide a spring device for a valve unit for a vessel that is provided with at least one elastic element that always has a linear motion, therefore free from unwanted tilting, during normal compression and release operations.

[0018] Another objective is to provide a spring device for a valve unit for a vessel that is provided with an elastic element with a higher elastic thrust force than known devices, even 30% or more.

[0019] Yet another objective is to provide a spring device that is suitable to extend and contract symmetrically about a central axis.

[0020] Therefore, an additional objective is to provide a spring device for a valve unit for a vessel that can also be used frequently without adversely affecting the valve unit with which it is associated, especially with regard to sealing against unwanted spillage of liquids from the vessel.

[0021] An additional objective is to provide a valve unit equipped with an effective and accurate spring device. The applicant has conceived, tested, and implemented the present invention to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and to achieve these and other objectives and advantages.

[0022] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The present invention is defined and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other features of the present invention or variants of the main inventive idea. In accordance with the objectives stated above, a spring device according to the present invention for a valve unit for a vessel comprises an elastic element provided with a first end portion that can be attached to or defines a movable head of the valve unit and a second end portion that can be attached to a support element provided in said valve unit.

[0024] According to a characteristic aspect of the invention, the elastic element has a wavy shape from the first end portion to the second end portion with respect to a compression and release axis, such that it alternately passes from one side to the other of said axis. In particular, the elastic element passes from one side to the other with respect to an axis that corresponds to a central axis of the spring device. Thanks to the wavy elastic element, the present spring device operates precisely and reliably, enabling the valve unit with which it is associated to perform perfect and precise opening and closing operations for the passage of the beverage.

[0025] This elastic element also always exhibits linear movement, which is therefore free of unwanted tilting during normal compression and release operations.

[0026] Furthermore, due to its shape, this elastic element is able to provide a greater elastic thrust force than known devices, even 30% or more.

[0027] According to another aspect of the invention, said elastic element is manufactured by means of a single substantially laminar component and shaped appropriately to assume said wavy shape.

[0028] According to another aspect of the invention, said elastic element is formed by a series of rings arranged in sequence and joined on opposite sides by connectors.

[0029] According to another aspect of the invention, said connectors are curved and said rings are coaxial with respect to said axis.

[0030] According to another aspect of the invention, said rings are identical and equidistant from each other along said axis.

[0031] According to another aspect of the invention, said connectors have a mean width less than the outer diameter of said rings.

[0032] According to another aspect of the invention, said elastic element is made of metallic material or plastic material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA) or similar.

[0033] According to another aspect of the invention, the spring device is manufactured as a single component by injection molding of material in a suitable mold.

[0034] According to another aspect of the invention, each of said rings comprises a central hole in which a rectilinear guide device is positioned along said axis.

[0035] According to another aspect of the invention, said guide device is star-shaped with multiple points, or is tubular.

[0036] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a valve unit for a beverage container, comprising at least one valve body in which a sealing housing is configured to receive a movable head for opening and closing said sealing housing. Said valve unit comprises a spring device in which a first end portion is associated with or defines said movable head, and said second end portion is associated with a support element provided in said valve unit.

[0037] According to another aspect of the invention, said first terminal part is inserted into a cylindrical element of the valve body and comprises radial guide elements adapted to slide along said cylindrical element during the compression and release phases of said elastic element.

[0038] According to another aspect of the invention, said support element and said second terminal part are provided with respective through holes aligned with each other, and said elastic element internally comprises a guide device configured to slide in said through holes.

[0039] According to another aspect of the invention, said sealing housing is initially closed by a cap connected to this sealing housing by means of a break line, wherein said cap and said movable head are provided with mutual coupling elements.

[0040] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become evident from the following description of some embodiments, provided by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0042] - Fig. 1 is an exploded longitudinal sectional view of a spring device, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, for a valve unit for a container;

[0043] - Fig. 2 is a three-dimensional view of the present spring device;

[0044] - Fig. 3 is a plan view of the development in one plane of part of an elastic element of the present spring device;

[0045] - Fig. 4 is a first side view of the present spring device;

[0046] - Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line V-V in Fig. 4;

[0047] - Fig. 6 is another side view of the present spring device;

[0048] - Fig. 7 is a top view of the present capless spring device;

[0049] - Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the present spring device.

[0050] It should be clarified that in the present description the phraseology and terminology used, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also as described, have the sole function of illustrating and better explaining the present invention, having as their purpose to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0051] For ease of understanding, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and features of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further explanation. DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0052] We will now refer in detail to the possible embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, by way of non-limiting illustration. The phraseology and terminology used here are also intended to provide non-limiting examples.

[0053] With reference to the accompanying drawings, see in particular figs. 1-3, a spring device 10 for a valve unit 11 for a vessel comprises an elastic element 12 provided with a first end part 17, which may be associated with or define a movable head 13 configured to cooperate with a sealing housing 21 of the valve unit 11, and a second end part 18, which during use may be associated with a support element 14 provided in said valve unit 11.

[0054] The expression "may be associated or define" means that the first terminal part 17 may be associated and connected to another element that defines the moving head 13 or may be directly shaped to define by itself a moving head 13 suitable to cooperate with the sealing housing 21.

[0055] According to preferred embodiments, the terminal part 17 is shaped so as to define the moving head.

[0056] Said elastic element 12 has a wavy shape from said first terminal part 17 to said second terminal part 18 and with respect to a compression and release axis A of said elastic element 12. Said compression and release axis A corresponds substantially to a central axis of the spring device 10.

[0057] Thus, substantially, said elastic element 12 passes alternately from one side to the other of said axis A, as can be observed in particular in the side views of Fig. 1 and Fig. 4.

[0058] In particular, the spring device 10 comprises a single elastic element 12 having a wavy shape with respect to axis A, so that even during compression and release action, the elastic element 12 remains substantially coaxial to axis A, without tilting to one side or the other.

[0059] Preferably, said spring device 10 is manufactured as a single component by injection molding of material in a suitable mold.

[0060] Preferably, said elastic element 12 is made from a single substantially laminar component and shaped appropriately to assume said wavy shape.

[0061] In particular, as can also be seen in the one-plane development of Fig. 3, said elastic element 12 is formed by a series of rings 19 arranged in sequence and joined on opposite sides by connectors 20. In the conformation of the elastic element 12 in the operating position of Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 4, Fig. 6, said connectors 20 are bent to form curves, and therefore said rings 19 are coaxial with respect to said axis A and are spaced apart from each other.

[0062] Said rings 19 are preferably identical and are equidistant from each other along said axis A.

[0063] Said connectors 20 preferably have a mean width less than the outer diameter of said rings 19, so as to allow simpler deformation of the elastic element 12, as can be seen in particular in Fig. 3 and Fig. 6.

[0064] In the compression phase of the spring device 10, the rings 19 approach each other until eventually touching the preceding or following ring 19 in a maximum compression condition.

[0065] Said elastic element 12 is preferably made of plastic material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA) or similar, in one piece with the other components of the spring device 10, so as to allow its recycling and disposal together with the container to which, in use, it is associated.

[0066] According to possible embodiments, the elastic element 12 could be made of metallic material. Said elastic element 12 is adapted to be compressed and released along said axis A. In the illustrated example, said end parts 17 and 18 are substantially load distribution rings.

[0067] The use of said elastic element 12 allows compression and release directed precisely along said axis A, i.e., along the central axis of the spring device 10. The number and shape of the rings 19 may also differ from that illustrated.

[0068] Each of said rings 19 comprises a central hole 16 in which a guide device 15 is positioned, which is oriented along said axis A of compression and release of said elastic element 12.

[0069] The guide device 15 may comprise, for example, an oblong element 34 positioned inside and coaxial with the elastic element 12.

[0070] The guide device 15 could comprise a tubular element positioned on the outside of the elastic element 12, in combination with or as an alternative to the inner oblong element 34.

[0071] Said guide device 15 may be associated with or made in one piece with the moving head 13 or with the first terminal part 17.

[0072] Preferably, the first terminal part 17 defines the moving head 13 by itself. In such a case, the guide device 15 is made in one piece with the entire spring device 10.

[0073] In the example shown, said oblong element 34 is substantially star-shaped with multiple points 35, as can be seen in particular in Fig. 5 and Fig. 8. According to one embodiment, said oblong element 34 may comprise three points 35 that are equidistant from each other and thus arranged 120° apart.

[0074] Alternatively, said oblong element 34 may be tubular in shape.

[0075] The elastic element 12 is adapted to slide along the surface of the oblong element 34, i.e., along the end of said points 35, if provided.

[0076] The movable head 13 of the valve unit 11 can be fluidly sealed and inserted into a sealing housing 21, which is initially closed by a cap 22 connected to this sealing housing 21 by a rupture line 23.

[0077] The cover 22 is configured to be coupled, in use, with the movable head 13 by means of respective mutual coupling elements 25, 26.

[0078] This sealing housing 21 is made in a valve body 24 of the valve unit 11.

[0079] The first terminal part 17 of the elastic element 12 is associated or made in one piece with the movable head 13.

[0080] The movable head 13 may preferably comprise, in a central area, an annular groove 25 adapted to accommodate a ring 26 projecting from the cover 22, wherein the annular groove 25 and the ring 26 define the coupling elements. According to possible variants, the coupling elements may also be arranged in reverse, or have a different shape, for example comprising one or more protruding lugs or elements on one of the components, and corresponding seats on the other component.

[0081] The first terminal part 17 may further be inserted into a cylindrical element 28 of the valve body 24 and comprise radial guide elements 27 adapted to slide along said cylindrical element 28.

[0082] These radial elements 27 can be arranged, for example, in a ring around said first terminal part 17 and be equidistant from each other. In this example, it is assumed that there are four radial elements arranged at 90° to each other.

[0083] It can be foreseen that in a view on a plane transverse to axis A, the radial elements 27 extend beyond the volume of the elastic element 12 and the terminal parts 17, 18 (figs.4, 7 and 8).

[0084] The second terminal part 18 is associated with the support element 14, which may be substantially a cup-shaped element or similar.

[0085] According to some embodiments, the valve unit 11 comprises the valve body 24 in which the sealing housing 21, the support element 14, and the spring device 10 comprising the movable head 13 are provided (fig.1).

[0086] The support element 14 may comprise a first cylindrical element 29 with a larger internal diameter and a second cylindrical element 30 with a smaller internal diameter. Between said cylindrical elements 29 and 30, an annular step 31 is obtained on which, when the valve unit 11 is fully assembled, the end of the cylindrical element 28 associated with the valve body 24 rests.

[0087] The support element 14 may further comprise a bottom 38 provided with a through hole 32 aligned with a through hole 33 made in the second end part 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the second end part 18 rests substantially on the bottom 38 of the support element 14. Said second end part 18 may be stably fixed to the bottom 38 of this support element 14.

[0088] When the valve unit 11 is fully assembled, a free end 36 of the oblong element 34 over which the elastic element 12 can slide will pass at least partially through the through hole 33 made in the second terminal part 18. This free end 36 will also pass through the through hole 32 made in the bottom 38 of the support element 14.

[0089] The moving head 13 of the valve unit 11 is inserted fluid-tight into the sealing housing 21 closed by the cap 22.

[0090] The valve unit 11 can allow the passage of a beverage through the sealing housing 21 after the application of a dispensing device, not shown, which will be inserted into the valve body 24 and press on the cap 22 to remove it along the break line 23.

[0091] The ring 26 made in the cap 22 will then be inserted, by means of the pressure exerted by the dispensing device, into the annular groove 25 of the movable head 13; therefore, the cap 22 will be associated with the movable head 13. Thus, at this stage, the elastic element 12 will be compressed along said axis A and along the guide device 15.

[0092] After the beverage is dispensed, the dispensing device will be withdrawn from the valve body 24 of the valve unit 11, and the movable head 13 will rise due to the action of the elastic element 12, which, no longer being pressed by the dispensing device, will precisely extend along axis A. This extension may take place by sliding along the guide device 15, if provided. The movable head 13 will precisely return the cap 22 to the position shown in Fig. 1.

[0093] The elastic element 12 will thus move along said axis A, both in compression and release, without suffering any unwanted tilts with respect to said axis A and thus guaranteeing a precise movement of the movable head 13 of the valve unit 11.

[0094] Due to its wavy shape, said elastic element 12 is configured to exert an elastic thrust force 30% or more greater than the elastic force obtainable by known elastic elements. This elastic force can vary between approximately 6 N and approximately 40 N.

[0095] The size of said elastic element 12 is always limited, and its movement is extremely precise, both in compression and release. Said elastic element 12 is in fact shaped to remain within a substantially cylindrical virtual volume V, as can be seen, for example, in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5.

[0096] It is evident that modifications and/or additions of parts can be made to the spring device 10 and the valve unit 11 described so far, without going outside the scope and reach of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

[0097] It is also evident that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person skilled in the art will undoubtedly be able to achieve other equivalent forms of the spring device and valve unit, which have the characteristics as set forth in the claims and which therefore fall within the scope of protection defined therein.

[0098] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in parentheses is to facilitate reading and they should not be considered as restrictive factors with respect to the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims (15)

1. CLAIMS 1. Spring device (10) for a valve unit (11) for a container, comprising an elastic element (12) provided with a first end portion (17) that during use may be associated with or define a movable head (13) configured to cooperate, in use, with a sealing housing (21) of the valve unit (11), and a second end portion (18) that during use may be associated with a support element (14), wherein said elastic element (12) has a wavy shape from said first end portion (17) to said second end portion (18), characterized in that said elastic element (12) passes alternately from one portion to the other with respect to a compression and release axis (A) corresponding to a central axis of said spring device (10). 2. Spring device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a single elastic element (12). 3. Spring device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said elastic element (12) is made from a single substantially laminar component and shaped appropriately to assume said wavy shape. 4. Spring device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastic element (12) is formed by a series of rings (19) arranged in sequence and joined on opposite sides by means of connectors (20). 5. Spring device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that said connectors (20) are curved and said rings (19) are coaxial with respect to said axis (A). 6. Spring device (10) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said rings (19) are identical and equidistant from each other along said axis (A). 7. Spring device (10) according to any of the preceding claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said connectors (20) have an average width less than the outer diameter of said rings (19). 8. Spring device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastic element (12) is made of metallic material or plastic material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyamide (PA). 9. Spring device (10) according to any of the preceding claims 4 to 8, characterized in that each of said rings (19) comprises a central hole (16) in which a guide device (15) is positioned oriented along said axis (A). 10. Spring device (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that said guide device (15) is star-shaped with multiple points (35), or tubular. 11. Spring device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is manufactured as a single component by injection molding of material in a suitable mold. 12. Valve unit (11) for a beverage container, comprising a spring device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first terminal part (17) is associated with, or defined by, said movable head (13), and said second terminal part (18) is associated with a support element (14) provided in said valve unit (11), said at least one valve unit (11) comprising at least one valve body (24) in which a sealing housing (21) is made configured to accommodate said movable head (13) for opening and closing said sealing housing (21). 13. Valve unit (11) according to claim 12, characterized in that said first terminal part (17) is inserted into a cylindrical element (28) of said valve body (24) and comprises radial guide elements (27) adapted to slide along said cylindrical element (28) in the compression and release phases of said elastic element (12). 14. Valve unit (11) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that said support element (14) and said second terminal part (18) are provided with respective through holes (32, 33) aligned with each other, and said elastic element (12) internally comprises a guide device (15) configured to slide in said through holes (32, 33). 15. Valve unit (11) according to any of the preceding claims 12 to 14, characterized in that said sealing housing (21) is initially closed by a cap (22) connected to said sealing housing (21) by means of a break line (23), wherein said cap (22) and said movable head (13) are provided with mutual coupling elements.