Pressure control device for maintaining a constant predetermined pressure in a container

• US 6,499,632 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2000
• Issued: 12/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ips Patent S.A.
• Original Assignee: Packaging Technology Holding S.A.
• Inventors: vanʼt Hoff, Jaap Herman
• Primary Examiner(s): RIVELL, JOHN A
• Application Number:
  US09/725,130
• Publication Number:
  US 20010002598A1
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 137/505.41, 137/906, 137/571, 222/389, 222/399
• US Class Current: 222/389
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/64 by piston
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/663 at least a portion of the propellant being separated from the product and incrementally released by means of a pressure regulator
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/063 the valve being loaded by a spring
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7905 Plural biasing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7929 Spring coaxial with valve

Abstract

A pressure control device (1) for maintaining a constant predetermined pressure in a container which is arranged for dispensing a fluid contained in the container from the container at that pressure. The pressure control device includes a first chamber (4) and a second chamber (6), as well as at least one closing member (8) movable relative to the second chamber for releasing and closing a fluid connection between the first chamber and the container depending on the position of the closing member relative to the second chamber. The first chamber is filled with a gas which, in use, has a higher pressure than the pressure in the container. The second chamber is located outside the first chamber.

Claims

1. A fluid dispensing assembly comprising:

a container having a container axis and enclosing an inner space, the inner space having an upper part that contains a fluid to be dispensed and a lower part having a container pressure; and

a pressure control device positioned within the container and including a first sealing ring configured to separate the upper and lower parts, the pressure control device configured to move along said container axis such that a volume of said upper part is decreased as said fluid is dispensed, said pressure control device comprising;

a first housing forming a first chamber occupied by a first gas at a first chamber pressure that is higher than said container pressure, the first chamber having a normally closed first opening;

a second housing having a closed first end and a second end forming a second opening, the second housing being connected to said first housing and accommodating a second chamber; and

a closing member configured to move along the container axis within said pressure control device, a first end of said closing member configured to operate said first opening depending on an axial position of the closing member within the pressure control device, a second end of said closing member cooperating with said second housing to form said second chamber, said second chamber exerting a pressure on the closing member in a direction of said first chamber; and

wherein said first opening is released upon axial movement of the closing member in response to a decrease in the container pressure of the lower par, thereby forming a fluid connection between the first chamber and the lower part so as to allow gas from the first chamber to enter the lower part and increase the container pressure.

2. The fluid dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein:

the first end of the closing member comprises a stem projecting into the first opening, the stem having a circumferential recess;

the first opening is normally closed by the stem abutting a third sealing ring associated with the first opening; and

the first opening is released upon axial movement of the closing member resulting in the stem moving relative to the third sealing ring to a position where the circumferential recess is encircled by the third sealing ring.

3. The fluid dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein:

the first opening is normally closed by a ball; and

the first end of the closing member comprises a stem configured to contact and dislodge the ball to thereby release said first opening, in response to a decrease in the container pressure of the lower part.

4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said second housing comprises a third opening at a position located outside of said second chamber, and wherein said fluid connection between the first chamber and the lower part includes said third opening.

5. The fluid dispensing assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a second sealing ring positioned between an outer surface of the closing member and an inner surface of the second housing, to thereby seal the second chamber.

6. The fluid dispensing assembly according to claim 5, wherein:

the second chamber is occupied by a gas and has a second chamber pressure that is exerted on the closing member.

7. The fluid dispensing assembly according to claim 5, wherein:

the second chamber includes spring means that exerts pressure on the closing member.

8. The fluid dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein a volume of said first chamber is greater than a volume of said second chamber.

9. The fluid dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein a volume of said second chamber depends on said axial position of said closing member.

10. The fluid dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first and second housings are cylindrical.

11. The fluid dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first housing extends into the upper part and second housing extends into said lower part.

12. The fluid dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein said second housing is cylindrical and said closing member has a cylindrical surface that cooperates with an interior of the second housing to thereby form a cylindrical second chamber.

13. A fluid dispensing assembly comprising:

a container having a container axis and enclosing an inner space, the inner space having a lower part and an upper part, said lower part and said upper part separated by a first gas sealing ring;

a first housing forming a first chamber and located in and movable relative to said container along said container axis, said first chamber having a fluid connection to said lower part of said container via a first opening in said first chamber, said first chamber filled with a first gas having a first chamber pressure higher than a container pressure of said lower part of said container, wherein said first gas sealing ring is provided between an outer surface of said first housing and an inner surface of said container and configured to prevent passage of gas or liquid between said lower part and said upper part;

a second housing connected to said first housing and forming a second chamber, said second housing having a housing axis, said second housing being closed at a first end and having a second opening at a second end, said second chamber filled with a second gas having a second chamber pressure;

at least one closing member located in and movable relative to said second housing along said housing axis, configured to open and close said fluid connection depending on a position of said closing member relative to said second housing, said position depending at least on said container pressure and said second chamber pressure; and

a second gas sealing ring provided between an outer surface of said closing member and an inner surface of said second housing and configured to prevent passage of gas between said second chamber and said lower part,

wherein said first opening comprises a third gas sealing ring, said closing member comprises a stem extending through said first and second openings, said stem comprises a circumferential recess, and said third gas sealing ring extends into said recess, and

wherein said closing member is configured to open said fluid connection when said container pressure decreases below a predetermined pressure.

14. The fluid dispensing assembly according to claim 13, wherein said second chamber is located outside of said first chamber.

15. The fluid dispensing assembly according to claim 13, wherein said first and second housings are cylindrical.

16. The fluid dispensing assembly according to claim 13, wherein said second chamber and said closing member are cylindrical.

17. The fluid dispensing assembly according to claim 13, wherein said container is a cylindrical container configured to dispense a fluid contained in said upper part of said container from said upper part at said predetermined pressure.

18. The fluid dispensing assembly according to claim 13, wherein a volume of said first chamber is greater than a volume of said second chamber.

19. The fluid dispensing assembly according to claim 13, wherein a volume of said second chamber depends on said position of said closing member.

20. The fluid dispensing assembly according to claim 13, wherein said second housing comprises a third opening at a position located outside of said second chamber, through which said fluid connection extends.

21. The fluid dispensing assembly according to claim 13, wherein said second housing extends in said lower part of said container.

22. A fluid dispensing assembly comprising:

a container having a container axis and enclosing an inner space, the inner space having a lower part and an upper part, said lower part and said upper part separated by a first gas sealing ring;

a first housing forming a first chamber and located in and movable relative to said container along said container axis, said first chamber having a fluid connection to said lower part of said container via a first opening in said chamber, said first chamber filled with a first gas having a first chamber pressure higher than a container pressure of said lower part of said container, wherein said first gas sealing ring is provided between an outer surface of said first housing and an inner surface of said container and configured to prevent passage of gas or liquid between said lower part and said upper part;

a second housing connected to said first housing and forming a second chamber, said second housing having a housing axis, said second housing being closed at a first end and having a second opening at a second end, said second chamber filled with a second gas having a second chamber pressure;

a first closing member located in and movable relative to said first opening along said housing axis, configured to open and close said fluid connection depending on a position of said first closing member relative to said first opening, said position depending at least on said container pressure and said first chamber pressure;

a second closing member located in and movable relative to said second housing along said housing axis, configured to contact and apply a force to said first closing member when said second chamber pressure is greater than said container pressure; and

a second gas sealing ring provided between an outer surface of said first closing member and an inner surface of said second housing and configured to prevent passage of gas between said second chamber and said lower part; and

wherein said first and second closing members are configured to open said fluid connection when said container pressure decreases below a predetermined pressure.

23. The fluid dispensing assembly according to claim 22, wherein said first closing member is a ball.

24. A fluid dispensing assembly comprising:

a container having a container axis and enclosing an inner space, the inner space having a lower part and an upper part, said lower part and said upper part separated by a first gas sealing ring;

a first housing forming a first chamber and located in and movable relative to said container along said container axis, said first chamber having a fluid connection to said lower part of said container via a first opening in said first chamber, said first chamber filled with a first gas having a first chamber pressure higher than a container pressure of said lower part of said container, wherein said first gas sealing ring is provided between an outer surface of said first housing and an inner surface of said container and configured to prevent passage of gas or liquid between said lower part and said upper part;

a second housing connected to said first housing and forming a second chamber, said second housing having a housing axis, said second housing being closed at a first end and having a second opening at a second end;

at least one closing member located in and movable relative to said second housing along said housing axis, configured to open and close said fluid connection depending on a position of said closing member relative to said second housing; and

spring means in the second chamber for exerting a pressure on the closing member to close said fluid connection;

wherein said position of said closing member depends at least on said container pressure and said pressure exerted by the spring means;

wherein said first opening comprises a second gas sealing ring, said closing member comprises a stem extending through said first and second openings, said stem comprises a circumferential recess, and said second gas sealing ring extends into said recess, and

wherein said closing member is configured to open said fluid connection when said container pressure decreases below a predetermined pressure.