U.S. patent application number 10/502427 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-09 for valve.
Invention is credited to Kellner, Torsten, Pauls, Mathias.
Application Number | 20050121476 10/502427 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27588052 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050121476 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pauls, Mathias ; et
al. |
June 9, 2005 |
Valve
Abstract
Valve for discharging foaming agents from pressurized containers
with said valve sealing off the pressurized container to the
outside and being provided with an outlet opening furnished with a
closure part (4) movably arranged therein and retained in closed
position by means of a spring element (21) and, when actuated
externally, clearing an outlet opening for the foaming agent
present in the pressurized container, said valve being mounted on a
container cover designed to function as a valve disk (1), so that
the valve disk (1) has a sealing face designed to act as valve seat
(6) with said sealing face interacting with a sealing element (7),
and the valve disk (1) and the sealing element (7) being made of a
rigid, functionally non-deformable material and the sealing effect
being brought about by an elastic element (17) arranged on the
valve disk (1), and the spring element (9, 21, 30) that holds the
sealing element (7) in closing position being directly secured to
the valve disk (1).
Inventors: |
Pauls, Mathias; (Weissbad,
CH) ; Kellner, Torsten; (Appenzell, CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FULBRIGHT AND JAWORSKI L L P
PATENT DOCKETING 29TH FLOOR
865 SOUTH FIGUEROA STREET
LOS ANGELES
CA
900172576
|
Family ID: |
27588052 |
Appl. No.: |
10/502427 |
Filed: |
January 28, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
January 24, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP03/00729 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/402.24 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/48 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/402.24 |
International
Class: |
B65D 083/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 24, 2002 |
DE |
10202849.4 |
Claims
1. Valve for discharging foaming agents from pressurized containers
with said valve sealing off the pressurized container to the
outside and being provided with an outlet opening furnished with a
closure part (4) movably arranged therein and retained in closed
position by means of a spring element (21) and, when actuated
externally, clearing an outlet opening for the foaming agent
present in the pressurized container, said valve being mounted on a
container cover designed to function as a valve disk (1),
characterized in that the valve disk (1) has a sealing face
designed to act as valve seat (6) with said sealing face
interacting with a sealing element (7), and the valve disk (1) and
the sealing element (7) being made of a rigid, functionally
non-deformable material and the sealing effect being brought about
by an elastic element (17) arranged on the valve disk (1), and the
spring element (9, 21, 30) that holds the sealing element (7) in
closing position being directly secured to the valve disk (1).
2. The valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the
movable closure part (4) is brought into and kept in closing
position by the tractive force of a helical spring (9) with said
helical spring (9) resting on a shoulder (10) of the closure part
(4).
3. The valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the
movable closure part (4) is brought into and kept in closing
position by the compressive force of a spring tongue (21) with the
spring element (30) being secured to the inside of the valve disk
(1).
4. The valve according to claim 3, characterized in that the spring
element (30) is secured to the inside of the valve disk (1) in a
form- and/or force-closed manner.
5. The valve according to claim 4, characterized in that the spring
element (30) is secured to the valve disk (1) by a crimping or
clamping method.
6. Valve according to any one of the above claims, characterized in
that the elastic element (16, 17) is a sealing body or a sealing
disk.
7. The valve according to claim 6, characterized in that the
sealing disk (17) is arranged between the valve seat (6) and the
sealing element (7).
8. The valve according to claim 6, characterized in that the
sealing body (16) is fitted into an inner cylindrical extension of
disk (1) and retained in position by upper and lower radial
enlargements with the lower radial enlargement interacting with the
valve seat (6) and the sealing element (7) so as to provide a tight
seal.
9. The valve according to claim 7, characterized in that the
sealing disk (17) is secured to the valve disk (1) by a crimping or
clamping method.
10. Valve according to any one of the above claims, characterized
in that the closure part (4) comprises of a valve stem and the
sealing element (7) and being of one- or two-component design.
11. Valve according to any one of the above claims, characterized
in that the base of the closure part (4) is enlarged radially to
form the sealing element (7).
12. The valve according to claim 10, characterized in that the
sealing element (7) is a separate, molded part that acts on the
valve seat (6) via the elastic element (17).
13. The valve according to claim 12, characterized in that the
sealing element (7) is a bowl-shaped, molded metallic part retained
in closing position by means of a spring tongue (21) acting on the
bottom.
14. Sealing element according to any one of the above claims,
characterized in that the closure part (4) has been provided with
an inside longitudinal bore terminating in radially extending bores
or ducts.
15. The valve according to claim 14, characterized in that the
apertures as per cross-sectional representation are shaped as a
triangle turned upside down.
16. Valve according to any one of the above claims, characterized
in that the valve disk (1) simultaneously acts as valve guide (8)
for the closure part (4, 5) with the guide (8) of the valve disk
(1) being designed as a central tubular element into which a
cylindrical sealing body (16) has been fitted the base of which
being enlarged radially to form a sealing disk (17).
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a valve primarily intended for
discharging foaming agents from pressurized containers with said
valve sealing off the pressurized container to the outside and
being provided with an outlet opening equipped with a movably
arranged closure part retained in closed position by means of a
spring element and, when actuated externally, clearing an outlet
opening for the foaming agent present in the pressurized container,
said valve being mounted on a container cover designed to function
as a valve disk.
[0002] Foams for mounting purposes, in particular polyurethane
foams, are widely used for all kinds of industrial applications. In
the building and construction industry they serve to secure
elements such as door frames and other prefabricated components,
seal openings, fill hollow spaces and pockets with foam. More often
than not they are used for thermal and sound insulation purposes.
Moreover, they are suited to fill hollow spaces and thus prevent
the formation of condensate that may cause corrosion problems. For
the same reasons, mounting foams are increasingly employed in
automotive engineering applications.
[0003] The frequently used one-component polyurethane foams are
produced when the prepolymer present in the pressurized container
is brought into contact with moisture, in particular air humidity.
As soon as the mixture of propellant and foaming agent has been
released a reaction occurs between the prepolymer and the moisture
contained in the air. This leads to the formation of a durable
foam. Depending on the atmospheric humidity content curing takes
place within a relatively short period of time. If air humidity is
high curing will take just a few minutes. The same applies to
silane terminated polyurethane foams. In the event of 1.5 and
2-component foams a separate cross-linking component is
additionally provided in the pressurized container.
[0004] Special valves serve to discharge or expel the foam with
said valves clearing the foam path in that they are tilted or
pushed down. During handling and intermediate storage, however,
they must reliably seal off the system. Should such sealing action
prove to be insufficient moisture will diffuse into the valve
mechanism causing the prepolymers in the valve to harden and impair
the correct functioning of the valve. In the worst case the valve
will be blocked completely as a result of the polymer that has
formed inside.
[0005] There are special valves arranged in the top or dome section
of such a pressurized container and retained with the aid of a
rubber seal. By bringing the valve tube or stem into an inclined
position the foam is allowed to enter the tube via rubber seal and
hollow tube cover plate and through recesses provided for this
purpose in the tube wall and in this manner exit the pressurized
container.
[0006] Although these tilting valves are provided with a relatively
good sealing mechanism the tilting movement required to release the
prepolymer propellant mixture is generally considered a
disadvantage. Discharging the mounting foam in a well-aimed manner
is difficult as the discharge direction of the mixture changes as a
result of the tilting movement. Moreover, the tilting mechanism is
hardly suited to make use of mechanical discharging aids such as
spray guns. Since the valve tube is free to turn in its seal it
attempts to avoid the tilting movement by performing a rotating
movement.
[0007] Furthermore, disk valves are known that provide for a valve
closure element to be joined via a coil spring to a retaining part
serving as abutment. The retaining part is allowed to freely
project into the interior of the pressurized container. The spring
is mounted between retaining part and valve closure element
securing it firmly on the valve disk. Retaining part and spring are
fully accessible to the media to be discharged. When actuating the
valve closure element this mixture of propellant and prepolymer
exits the pressurized container and thus enters the area where
spring and its retaining part are located. As the pressure acting
on the valve closure element decreases said element is again
pressed against the valve disk thus preventing the mixture from
exiting any further. Mixture still present in the valve space will
be discharged through action of the propellant content.
[0008] Disk valves of this type with spring mechanism are well
suited for connections to spray guns. Nevertheless, they have a
disadvantage in that the function of the spring is impaired or even
blocked sooner or later because moisture diffuses into the valve
mechanism and causes polymer formation. This leads to the
pressurized container being unable to discharge in a controlled
manner or becoming leaky and blowing off irregularly.
[0009] In another version of such valves sealing sections are
arranged over the circumference of the valve closure element. These
comprise of at least one elastically deformable disk-shaped section
projecting radially from the closure element and becoming deformed
when contacting the valve seat. Sealing and closure elements are of
`monolithic` design and thus made of the same. material. In the
interest of deformability these elements need to be elastic to some
extent which puts a limitation on the contact forces applied and
thus reduces tightness.
[0010] All these valves are of rather sophisticated design
including numerous details, among which there is a rigid valve body
to be attached to or molded on the valve disk. To bring down the
costs a simple construction associated with fewer individual parts
would be desirable.
[0011] Therefore, object of the invention is to provide a valve
that does away with the above described disadvantages customary
valves suffer. Said valve shall prevent moisture from entering the
valve space situated within the pressurized container.
Nevertheless, the design must enable discharge aids such as spray
guns to be connected. The valve should be of simple construction
and provide a high degree of operational safety.
[0012] To achieve this objective and based on the valve type
described hereinbefore the invention proposes that the valve disk
has a sealing face designed to act as valve seat with said sealing
face interacting with a sealing element, and the valve disk and the
sealing element being made of a rigid, functionally non-deformable
material and the sealing effect being brought about by an elastic
element arranged on the valve disk, and the spring element that
holds the sealing element in closing position being directly
secured to the valve disk.
[0013] The valve enables the pressurized container to be properly
connected to a spray gun of customary design. Since the valve
closure element is moved in pressurized container axis direction
through the action of a valve shaft the function of the system is
no longer impaired by a skewing movement.
[0014] Due to the fact that the valve closure element does not
require elastically deformable details to perform its sealing
function it may consist of a rigid material same as the valve disk.
It is thus possible to provide for contact forces sufficient for
the sealing effect and transmit said forces by the respective
spring action. The sealing function is effected by separate elastic
elements which are designed and proven for the task. Furthermore,
the valve disk in its comprehensive function as cover for the
pressurized container on the one hand and also as rigid valve body
on the other offers the required strength to absorb the contact
forces arising on the valve seat faces.
[0015] Based on the above described basic construction concept
better solutions are available with respect to the arrangement of
the springs used to reset the movable valve element serving for
valve closure. In this way, the spring elements may be arranged in
locations totally external to the space where the curing media
exit, that is within the space on the valve disk off the
pressurized container. In this location they exert pull forces on
the movable valve element thus forcing it against the face of the
valve seat. In this manner even helical springs do not run the risk
of having their coils clogged up causing their correct functioning
to be impeded.
[0016] Another preferred solution provides for a leaf spring to be
permanently attached as elastic spring element to the side of the
valve disk facing the pressurized container. Although in this
position there is contact with the exiting fluid but said fluid is
not yet in contact with media that have curing or hardening
effects.
[0017] Moreover, as regards the flow of media they are favorably
arranged on the valve closure element in a manner that allows media
to pass easily. Such an arrangement is even more beneficial in that
there is no retaining part for this spring element that might lead
to a turbulent flow behavior in that critical area. A clogging or
blocking is thus positively ruled out. Furthermore, leaf springs
have fewer points or faces of contact or even none at all that are
prone to be clogged up through the foaming agent.
[0018] Further preferred embodiments of the invention are the
subject matter of subclaims dealt with in more detail on the basis
of the attached figures. It is to be understood that the
characteristics and designs shown and described in the preferred
embodiments of the invention are not only of significance in the
framework of the combinations shown but rather in any conceivable
and reasonable combination and design configuration that may be
derived from the entirety of the representations and descriptions
given herein. The following is shown in the figures:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a section through a valve provided with a two-part
valve closure element and a helical spring arranged in the valve
disk on the side off the pressurized container,
[0020] FIG. 2 is a section through a valve provided with a two-part
valve closure element and a leaf or disk spring attached to the
valve disk on the side facing the pressurized container,
[0021] FIG. 3 is a section through a valve provided with a one-part
valve closure part and a combination of a spring and sealing
element attached to the valve disk on the side facing the
pressurized container,
[0022] FIG. 4 is a section through another preferred valve
embodiment where the elastic element for sealing purposes has been
made into an elastic and sealing guide element,
[0023] FIG. 5 is a variant of the embodiments shown in
[0024] FIG. 3, and
[0025] FIG. 5a is a perspective sectional view of the embodiment
shown in FIG. 5,
[0026] FIG. 6 is a valve according to the invention provided with a
separate sealing element retained by a leaf spring.
[0027] FIG. 1 shows a section through a valve according to the
invention. Valve disk 1, 2 performs the functions as container
cover and valve body. For this purpose it has a central opening 3
through which the movable valve closure element 4, 5 passes, valve
seat faces 6 arranged in parallel to the expediently engaging
sealing faces 7 on the valve closure element and a valve shaft 8
serving as guide for the valve closure element. With its inner
diameter the valve shaft serves as sliding face for the seal 16
mounted by force fitting between the two parts 4, 5 of the valve
closure element. With its outer diameter the valve shaft
furthermore serves as a spring guiding structure for helical spring
9 acting on the bottom side of a shoulder 10 of the greater
diameter of part 4 of the valve closure element located away from
the pressurized container. In this manner the forces exerted by the
non-compressed spring draw the movable valve element 4, 5 against
the valve seat into the position required to close the valve and
cause said element to be retained in this position.
[0028] To open the valve an external force acting against the force
exerted by the spring must be applied to the movable valve element
4, 5. This will then result in an annular gap 11 being cleared
between valve seat 6 and sealing face 7 on the valve closure
element 4, 5. Through said gap the medium is allowed to exit the
pressurized container via ducts 12, 13, 14 arranged inside the
valve closure element and above its sealing face and from that
point into or onto the structural components aimed at or through a
spray gun which is not shown here. On side A of the figure the open
position of the movable valve element is shown while side B shows
its closed position.
[0029] For example, the two parts 4, 5 of the movable valve element
in this variant are joined by means of a threaded connection 15.
This causes an O ring 16 serving as sealing element to be
compressed such that it is in sealing contact with the valve shaft
8. It is proposed to place on valve seat 6 an elastomeric washer 17
for sealing purposes. With respect to a spray gun that may be
mounted the sealing element may also be an O ring 18 as shown here.
The two parts of the valve disk 1, 2 may be joined by welding,
gluing, molding-on or be directly deep-drawn to form an integral
component as illustrated in FIG. 2. The rim 19 of the valve disk
located away from the pressurized container not shown here is
appropriately bent over for attachment to said container.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a section through a valve in accordance with the
invention that coincides with the one illustrated in FIG. 1 as far
as a number of significant characteristics are concerned. The valve
disk 1, 2 performing its two functions of serving as a cover for
the pressurized container and as valve body has been deep drawn in
this case to form an integral part. For stiffening purposes and to
keep the thickness of the deep-drawn material within reasonable
limits a backing element 20 may be provided as shown here. Another
difference with respect to the valve shown in FIG. 1 is the leaf
spring 21 mounted on the side of the valve disk 1, 2 that faces the
pressurized container. Due to the compressive spring force acting
on the movable valve element 3, 4 said element is brought and held
in closing position. To open the valve due to external pressure
being applied the tongue 22 provided in the center of the
compression spring and made of a resilient material in a width
appropriate to the valve closure element is pressed into the
interior of the pressurized container. This clears the annular
opening 11 between valve seat 6 and sealing face 7 of the valve
closure element on side A as shown in FIG. 2 and thus permits
medium to be discharged.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows another preferred embodiment of the invention
providing for the valve disk 1 to serve both as valve body or
guidance 8 for the closure part 4 and with its section 6 as valve
seat for sealing element 7.
[0032] In a manner already described the valve disk 1 has been bent
over in its rim area 9, 10 to enable attachment to the dome of the
pressurized container. The valve disk has a folded inner structure
terminating in a tubular guide element 8 bent upwardly. The stem 4
is supported within the guide element 8 and in its upper part has
been provided with a ring seal 18 mounted in a groove. Said ring
seal serves to seal off the system in the event a customary spray
gun is mounted (connection elements have not been shown).
[0033] The sealing function in fact is the result of an interaction
of the horizontal section 6 of valve disk 1 (valve seal 6) to which
the subjacent elastic element 17 in the form of a perforated
sealing disk is connected. The closure part 4 (stem) is arranged to
pass through the sealing disk 17. Immediately below the sealing
disk 17 there is the horizontally projecting rim 31 of a spring
element 30 retaining the valve in closed position. Sealing disk 17
and rim 31 are joined by crimping at 32 over the entire
circumference in a fold of the valve disk 1 so as to form a tight
seal.
[0034] At its bottom end spring element 30 is provided with a leaf
spring or spring tongue 21 that presses the sealing element 7
against the sealing disk 17 and in this way brings about the
closing action of the valve. The spigots 33 of sealing element 7
engage with the stem 4 at its bottom end so that a tight seat is
achieved. Furthermore, stem 4 has one or more transversely arranged
bores 13 through which the foaming agent may enter and exit via the
duct provided therein. Stem 4 and sealing element 7 together form
the closure part 4.
[0035] The valve proper is actuated by pushing down the closure
part 4. The pressure is transferred via the sealing element 7 on to
the spring tongue 21 which yields and thus clears an annular gap at
11 through which foaming agent may enter the interior of sealing
element 7.
[0036] It is understood that the spring element 30 itself is not
suited to prevent foaming agent from coming into contact with
sealing element 7; it has been provided with one or several
openings through which the foaming agent may pass freely.
[0037] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of another preferred valve
embodiment providing for the elastic element 17 for sealing
purposes to be designed to form an elastic and tight guiding
element 16, in a sectional representation showing intersecting
planes offset from each other. The closure element 4 in this case
is of one-piece construction, i.e. it comprises both the stem and
the sealing element 7 forming an integral component. A central duct
14 has side openings 13 in its lower portion and is thus open
outwardly so that when pushing stem 4 downward said openings 13 are
cleared and allow passage into the pressurized container.
[0038] The valve disk 1 itself is provided with an area 6 of mainly
horizontal configuration and serving as valve seat on which the
elastic element 17 acts, as well as a vertically arranged guiding
area 8 that engages with a recess provided in the elastic body 16.
The elastic body 16 proper is made of rubber or caoutchouc, for
example, and designed to form a cylindrical hollow body provided
with incisions in the area of the guide 8. It has a primarily
smooth inner surface that performs a sealing action where it
contacts the outer wall of stem 4 and serves as guide for stem 4
when the valve is actuated by pushing it down.
[0039] The sealing area or the sealing element 7 of the closure
part 4 is retained in closed position by action of the spring
tongue 21 of a spring element 30, i.e. a radial projection of
sealing element 7 is pressed against the bottom edge of the elastic
element 17 which in turn rests on the valve seat portion 6 of valve
disk 1.
[0040] The spring element 30 in this case engages with an S-shaped
structure of the valve disk 1 (at 32) in a form-closed manner.
[0041] The functional method illustrated enables the valve to be
manufactured in a simple manner in that, at first, the elastic body
16 is inserted into the valve disk 1 and, subsequently, the stem 4
with sealing element 7 is inserted into said body from below.
Following this, the spring element 30 is inserted from below and
latched into the S-shaped segment 32 of valve disk 1 where it is
retained in a form- and force-closed manner.
[0042] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the valve according to
the invention including stem 4 forming the closure part together
with sealing element 7 and the valve disk 1 which in this case as
well is designed to comprise of a guide 8 and a valve seat section
6 on which the sealing element 7 acts via a sealing disk 17. Stem 4
has in its lower portion a transversely arranged opening 13 in its
wall through which foaming agent is permitted to enter the
vertically arranged duct 14 of the stem 4. An O-ring 18 mounted in
a groove serves as sealing element for a spray gun adapter that may
be connected in the upper area of the stem 4.
[0043] Same as illustrated in FIG. 3 the sealing disk 17 of this
embodiment is attached to the valve disk 1 by crimping. However,
this embodiment does not provide for the spring element 30 to be
connected to sealing disk 17 by crimping but instead has a basket
38 with rim 39 attached to said disk by crimping with said basket
38 being provided with openings 37 through which foaming agent may
ingress. In the bottom portion of the basket the spring element 30
is arranged and has a spring tongue 21 projecting upwards and
acting on the sealing element 7.
[0044] On the inner side of basket 38 vertically arranged webs 3, 4
are located that interact with vertically arranged rim area 36 of
the sealing element 7 in such a way that the sealing element 7 is
guided within the basket 38.
[0045] The spring elements employed in accordance with the
invention are preferably made of customary spring steel material.
Sealing elements 7 may be designed either as metallic deep-drawn
components or as precision moldings made of plastic material. As
shown in FIG. 5 basket 38 is preferably made of plastic
material.
[0046] FIG. 5a is a perspective sectional view of the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 5 and elucidates the interaction of the
individual functional components.
[0047] The embodiment as per FIG. 6 represents a variant of the
embodiment as per FIG. 5 and provides for the sealing disk 17 to be
integrated into a sealing body 16.
[0048] Valve disk 1 has a valve seat portion 6 and a guiding tube 8
and accommodates a sealing body 16 the bottom end of which being
designed so as to form a radially extending sealing disk 17. In its
upper portion sealing body 16 shows a projection and a receding
portion in the middle in the area of the guiding part 8 of the
valve disk 1. That portion of body 16 that rests on the end of
guide tube 8 of valve disk 1 is designed elastically in such a
manner that it is capable of moving outwardly when pressure is
applied to it.
[0049] Stem 4 of the valve extends inside the sealing body 16 and
together with sealing element 7 forms the closure part. A radial
projection provided in its upper area rests on the end of sealing
body 16. Stem 4 terminates in a bottom part 39 appropriately fitted
into the bowl- or trough-shaped sealing element 7. A full perimeter
radial projection 40 contacts sealing disk 17 providing a tight
seal.
[0050] The lateral openings 13 are shaped as upside-down triangles
which enables a very precise dosing of the exiting foaming agent
flow when pushing stem 4 down. Initially, only the pointed lower
area of the openings 13 is cleared which results in the passing and
exiting media volume to be greatly limited. Now, if the stem 4 is
pushed down just partially only the lower part of the cross
sectional area of openings 13 is cleared so that only a relatively
small foaming agent volume is allowed to exit. As the stem is
further or completely pushed down the unobstructed area of the
openings 13 becomes larger resulting in the discharging capacity of
the valve to increase.
[0051] Same as shown in FIG. 4 this embodiment also has a spring
element 30 with bent-over ends 31 fitted into an S-shaped structure
32 of the valve disk 1 in a form- and force-closed manner. A spring
tongue 21 projects upwards and acts on the bottom of sealing
element 7 the upper rim of which contacting and providing a sealing
action at the radial extension 17 of sealing body 16. It is
understood that the spring element 30 has apertures or openings
through which the foaming agent may freely enter the space above
the spring element.
[0052] The valves according to the invention may be employed for
all forms of pressurized containers with foaming agents, they are,
however, primarily suited for one-component systems. The
pressurized containers for such systems are of customary design and
do not require any further adaptation to the characteristics of
these valves.
[0053] It is understood that one of the characteristics of the
valves according to the invention is that the valve disk 1 also
performs the function of the rigid valve body provided for and
existing in customary valves. It is to be noted that aside from the
closure part which as a rule consists of the stem and the sealing
element but may, as appropriate, be of one- or two-component design
only one elastic element is required which is located between valve
seat and sealing element and in fact brings about the sealing
action proper. In particular, the elastic element is designed as a
sealing disk and is preferably secured to the valve disk 6 in the
area of the valve seat 6 by flanging/bending, crimping or
clamping.
* * * * *