EP1078863A1 - Self closing valve manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

The membrane (5) has a closure cover (7) and a retainer flange (10) joined to the cover via a connector wall (8) to form a pot-shaped arrangement. At least one slot opening (16) in the cover is intermittently filled in along its length. Preferably three slots, all filled in intermittently, extend outwards in a radial direction from the middle of the cover to form a star-shaped pattern. A bridging section of cover material is left behind to fill in part of the slot and divide it into two sections which have different lengths.

Description

The present application relates to a method for manufacturing a self-closing valve for dispensing flowable Media.

There are a variety of liquids and liquid-like ones Products sold to consumers in suitable containers become.

These liquids include e.g. B. Cleaning and care products for the human body like liquid soaps, Shower gels, shampoos, skin oils and. v. a. m. Another group such products are classified as food and beverages, for example ketchup, mustard, honey and the like. The like third group of such products are consumer fluids, such as technical oils etc.

The mentioned products have in common that they the container from Consumers are taken in relatively small quantities.

Conventional containers have one on a container neck screwed on cap. To remove the liquid the container is tilted and the liquid is removed. Depending on the viscosity of the liquid and the intended use there are a variety of different configurations, for example with small discharge openings and elastic containers, which are then compressed to dispense the liquid become.

There are numerous suggestions in the patent literature, one such container closure with a self-closing valve to design. Such a valve has the advantage that the user does not have to loosen a cap each time to Remove liquid.

The requirements for a self-closing closure are however very high. The closure must be operated in a simple manner be otherwise it has no advantages over conventional Screw caps offers, and must on the other hand sufficient sealing for the respective application feature.

In EP-A-0 545 678 a closure cap with a proposed self-closing closure, in which a domed Membrane is used, which has a connecting wall is connected to a bracket edge. The connecting wall is so arranged between the membrane and the bracket edge, that it rolls to open the membrane and an opening force exerts on the membrane, which is the opening of the membrane effect.

Based on this state of the art, the present Invention the task of a method for manufacturing to create a self-closing valve, which both excellent opening and closing properties with high Has tightness and which is manufactured in an economical manner can be..

This object is achieved by the subject matter of the claim 1 solved.

Preferred developments of the invention are the subject of Subclaims.

According to the invention, a method for producing a A self-closing valve is proposed a method according to which partition, holding section and membrane in one Injection molding process in an inverted state, d. H. in a state in which the connecting wall is 180 ° offset to their original position in relation to the Holding section is located. The valve is then turned inside out inserted inside out in a cap.

According to a preferred variant of this manufacturing process, becomes a reinforcing ring on the holding section at the same time molded from a harder plastic. It is it prefers the plastic ring in a previous manufacturing process regardless of the self-closing valve manufacture and in this reinforcement ring a variety of Provide openings in which the material of the valve can penetrate during the spraying process, so that an intimate, durable and also inexpensive connection between the reinforcement ring and valve body is created.

The solution according to the invention makes it self-closing Created a valve that opens reliably on the one hand, when the container is pressurized in the deployed position which, on the other hand, is reliable and dense closes.

This is achieved in that a curved membrane is provided whose curvature in the closed position is inside the container is facing. If the container is in the overhead position, d. H. with the valve pointing downwards, pressed together an overpressure in the container, and the membrane is exposed to the outside arched, with slits opening in the membrane and the Allow liquid to pass through.

The membrane and the slots are matched to one another in such a way that elastic when the membrane is deformed outwards Build up restoring forces in the membrane that the If the pressure is released, close the valve.

With this type of construction, it is in particular not necessary that Transition area between the connecting wall and membrane in this way shape that forces or moments from the connecting wall the membrane are transmitted, which support the opening and closing.

The membrane and the connecting wall are preferably rotationally symmetrical designed. In such an embodiment the holding section is also preferably rotationally symmetrical.

The membrane is preferably such that it is in the Rest position has an approximately spherical shape. The term "spherical section" is here only as a hint thought on the basic design and should not include exact geometric definition of the shape of the membrane.

As stated, the slit in the membrane comes special Meaning too.

One can in particular with a rotationally symmetrical membrane Provide four or five slots, each from the axis of rotation outwards, d. H. extend to the connecting wall.

According to a preferred development of the invention, a Slit provided, which then extends over the axis of rotation extends in the radial direction.

However, the membrane particularly preferably has three slots. These slots are in a rotationally symmetrical membrane design arranged such that they are away from the axis of rotation extend radially outwards. The angular distance of the Slits are preferably the same and are 120 °.

The use of three slots has particular advantages.

A slot with three, four or five slots divided the membrane in a corresponding number of tapered Rag. After the deformation and opening, these flaps need to be be returned in such a way that they with their cutting limits lie exactly against each other. A slight disorientation the rag leads to the rag, especially in Area of their tips, one on top of the other, creating a sealing Prevents contact of the rags.

With only one central slot, such a problem can arise do not occur since there are no rags of the type described above Kind of be formed.

The particularly preferred design with three slots is the Understanding that such a rag, when it Includes 120 ° angle cutout against lateral displacement and disorientation is much better protected than a rag that is only 90 degrees or less.

According to a further, particularly preferred development of the Invention, which both in one, preferably also in three, four, five or more slots is a slot design, at least one within the slot Material web remains.

This web of material acts or these webs of material work within the elastic membrane like elastic tension springs and pull the slot together when reclosing.

This design, as will be explained later, created a closure that is high despite low opening forces Has closing forces and safe guidance of the locking tab caused to abut their respective side edges.

For the formation of the connecting wall between the membrane and the holding section, the invention proposes several different Designs.

In a first, preferred design, the connecting wall designed in a rotationally symmetrical structure so that in a central section containing the axis of rotation an im essential s-shaped course of the wall in the rest position results. When pressurized, this wall is then stretched, and the membrane opens as soon as the wall completely stretched condition. This results in a Extending and retracting the valve from a surrounding the valve Sealing cap.

It is also possible to use a second connecting wall Embodiment to design as it is cited in the EP-A-0 545 678. This valve has a connecting wall provided that there is a rolling edge at Extending the valve from the cap results, the rolling edge moving towards the membrane. With one Design should, however, ensure that no or too high forces from the side wall on the Membrane are transmitted as this when opening and closing the membrane, especially if the used ones are not well matched Materials and the individual wall thicknesses and the Wall thickness course, to difficulties, especially when Lock, can lead. Here is a design in particular displayed with three slots.

In a third particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the connecting wall is essentially rigid. The term "stiff" should be understood here that the connecting wall during the transition of the valve from the closed position in the open position no significant Is subject to deformation. This is done in a preferred embodiment achieved in that the connecting wall between Bracket section and membrane essentially in cross section runs straight. Such a design can, for example can be achieved by making the connecting wall rotationally symmetrical Membrane is cylindrical.

With this design, the connecting wall can be thicker Wall thickness are carried out, resulting in a very stable Support of the membrane with respect to a closure cap results. However, it is also possible to make the connecting wall thin-walled. The term "stiff" is therefore not in the same sense understand that he has a thinner wall thickness or a deformability would exclude the partition, but the term is only to be understood in the sense that a possible Deformation of the partition for the process of opening and closing has no significant impact.

In the case of a rigid connecting wall, it is particularly preferable that the membrane and connecting wall are decoupled in terms of torque are, d. H. that the movement of the membrane possible little of Forces and in particular moments influenced by the connecting wall could be transferred to the membrane.

In a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention, those with the three embodiments described above can be combined by a hinge-like Connection between the connecting wall and the membrane. Such a hinge can be manufactured in different ways become. One in the connection area is particularly preferred arranged between the connecting wall and membrane Thin point around with rotationally symmetrical membrane design the membrane circulates. This thin point is preferably in cross section S-shaped, designed to increase the hinge effect.

As described above, the transition area is between Connection wall and membrane in this preferred fourth embodiment designed in such a way that in particular no moments are transferred from the connecting wall to the membrane. According to This transition area can be a further preferred design also be created in that the material is inhomogeneous in this area, so that z. B. in this area another material used or the properties of the Material can be influenced in a suitable manner so that the desired Reduction in the ability to transfer torque is achieved becomes.

The valve according to the invention can be made from all materials be the appropriate values for the elastic deformation and have the elastic restoring force.

It is particularly preferred to use the membrane and / or the connecting wall made from a silicone material. Still is the manufacture of membrane and / or connecting wall from one thermoplastic elastomer possible. There is preferably a connecting wall, Bracket section and membrane from the same material and form a valve body.

The holding section of the self-closing is particularly preferred Valve through a plastic device, with rotationally symmetrical Design of the valve a plastic ring, reinforced, which, compared to the material of the connecting wall and the membrane, from a stiffer and possibly also cheaper Plastic material is made.

Among the terms used in the present description "Fluid", "liquids" and "medium" or "flowable" Medium "should be understood to mean all substances whose viscosity, regardless of whether this viscosity as dynamic or as kinematic viscosity is determined, an outflow of the substance from a container, if necessary by an additional one Allows pressurization. So it's not just that Including substances in these terms that flow by themselves, such as B. watery substances, but also substances that only then flow when pressurized, e.g. B. greasy and pasty substances.

According to a first preferred use, the closure used for food, and here for food that come from a group that includes the following foods: Vegetable and fruit juices and other drinks, condiments of all Kind, such as soy sauce and the like, viscous seasonings, such as Mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, viscous foods such as honey, Jellies, jams, dairy products such as milk, condensed milk, Cream and the like.

It is also preferred to use the valve in the packaging of personal care and cleaning products, such as liquid ones or pasty soap, shower gels, skin oils, sunscreens, Shampoos, hair dyes, skin creams, deodorants etc.

The use of the valve is also preferred for others Detergents and care products, such as detergents, universal cleaning agents, Shoe creams, polishes, stain removers, liquid detergents and the like.

The use of the closure is also preferred for pharmaceutical products, and preferably for products used in smaller amounts are needed, such as. B. eye drops, nose drops, Disinfectant, and all forms of pharmaceutical Products, regardless of whether they are for internal or external Application are intended.

A use for technical products is also preferred, for example for paints, varnishes, solvents, Lubricants and other technical chemicals and mixtures.

Further advantages, features and possible uses of the present Invention result from the description of exemplary embodiments in connection with the drawing.

Fig. 1

einen Schnitt durch den Verschluß eines Behälters in der Überkopfstellung, wobei in dem Verschluß ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel eines selbstschließenden Ventils gemäß der Erfindung angeordnet ist;

Fig. 2

eine Unteransicht des Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

das Ausführungsbeispiel gemäß Fig. 1 in geöffnetem Zustand;

Fig. 4

eine Aufsicht auf die Darstellung gemäß Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Ventils ähnlich der Figuren 1 - 4 mit einer etwas anderen Ventilform in einer Schnittdarstellung;

Fig. 6

eine Aufsicht auf ein Detail der Fig. 5, den Verstärkungsring zeigend;

Fig. 7

ein Detail der Darstellung gemäß Fig. 5;

Fig. 8

eine Schnittdarstellung eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels der Erfindung.

In it show:

Fig. 1

a section through the closure of a container in the overhead position, wherein a first embodiment of a self-closing valve according to the invention is arranged in the closure;

Fig. 2

a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

Fig. 3

the embodiment of Figure 1 in the open state.

Fig. 4

a top view of the representation of FIG. 3;

Fig. 5

an embodiment of a valve similar to Figures 1-4 with a slightly different valve shape in a sectional view;

Fig. 6

a plan view of a detail of Figure 5, showing the reinforcing ring.

Fig. 7

a detail of the representation of FIG. 5;

Fig. 8

a sectional view of another embodiment of the invention.

The closure shown in Fig. 1 is in its entirety with V designated. The closure is on a conventional one Threaded neck 1 of a container 2 screwed. Inside this container, by the reference number 3, it is symbolically with the reference symbol 4 designated fluid or medium, its viscosity such is chosen that it is from a closure of the one in question here standing type can flow out. The container wall is complete or partially made of flexible material by the user can be squeezed.

The neck 1 of the container 2 is cylindrical, the container can have a different shape. On the neck 1, a cylindrical cap 31 is screwed on has a cylindrical part 32 which with one to the external thread the neck 1 is provided with a suitable internal thread.

It should be noted that the cap is not mandatory must be screwed onto the neck of the container. It other constructions are also conceivable, e.g. B. a cap, which are held by projections on the container neck and pressed on the neck of the container or on the container itself, clipped on or otherwise by friction, glue or the like is attached.

A central opening 6 is provided in this closure cap 31, through which the medium 4 can flow.

The medium 4 is at this flow through the total with 5 designated self-closing valve according to the present invention hindered.

The valve 5 has a membrane 7 which is spherical segment-like arched inwards, towards the inside of the container 3 and towards the medium 4 is when the valve, as shown in Fig. 1, in the Closed position.

The connecting wall 8 adjoins the membrane 7, which connected to the holding section 10 via a curvature region 9 is. This holding section 10 is in the assembled state of two cylindrical webs 11, which on the substantially formed on the annular cover region 12 of the closure 31 are kept. The valve body is made of membrane, Connecting wall and holding section and is integrally formed. The lid 12 is designed so that the container as a whole upside down on the lid and thus on the closure can be kept.

This type of storage, or the corresponding technical Design that allows this type of storage has the Advantage that the space above the membrane is always liquid is filled, so that the removal process even with viscous Media does not depend on the liquid first must flow into the valve.

The membrane 7 is, as will be explained later, not with uniform wall thickness, but the wall thickness decreases towards the middle.

The connecting wall 8 itself is in this embodiment kept significantly thinner than the membrane.

The connecting wall consists of part a, which directly the membrane abuts, and from part b, which over the arc Area 9 is connected to area a. Between The areas a and b are, as indicated in FIG. 1, an angle 2 of approximately 45 ° in the closed position.

In area b of the intermediate wall, an annular bead 13 is in one piece with the connecting wall and projecting radially outwards from it educated.

The ring bead lies with the valve open, as in FIG. 3 is seen on a shoulder 14 one of the cap cover from inwardly projecting annular bead 15, which essentially is designed to be rotationally symmetrical.

The shoulder 14 is designed so that its bevel immediately the angle of the annular bead 13 in the open position corresponds.

The annular bead 15 widens away from the container interior 3 conical to the outside and thus forms a guide that the partition wall area a leads to the opening of the valve. It works further that the connecting wall in the closed position in front area of the membrane is supported and thus cannot move with respect to the cap. This measure has the advantage that movements of the self-closing Valves that lead to an unintentional opening of the membrane can be avoided.

In addition, but not shown in Fig. 1, a foldable Cover may be provided which the membrane, for. B. with a hemispherical Attachment in the position shown in Fig. 1 holds and serves as security during transport.

The membrane 7 is slotted, as now with reference to the figures 2 to 4 is further discussed.

The valve and the diaphragm are overall rotationally symmetrical designed, the axis of rotation in Fig. 1 of the line A-A corresponds.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the membrane has a total of three Slots that start from the point where the axis of rotation pierces the membrane, this point the reference numeral 18 wears.

The three slots are also arranged symmetrically and form an angle of 120 ° to each other. The length of the Slits in relation to the membrane result from the illustration 1, then a slot takes about an area between 3/5 and 4/5 of the membrane radius. The slots themselves are cut with a knife tool, the cut is preferably carried out in the position of the valve, such as it is shown in FIG. 1. The slots extend then in a plane that is perpendicular to the cap cover 12 and includes the axis of symmetry A-A.

Each opening slot 16 has the same overall length that 2 in the illustration according to FIG x + y + z.

In the exemplary embodiment, each slot consists of an inner one Section II, which is preferably more than half of the total Is the slot length at which there is an unslotted one Material bridge 19 connects. After that, the slot in the section I continued. The first section II has the slot length x, the material bridge the slot length y and the itself adjoining slot the length z. Material bridge 19 and thus the length y is preferably slightly less than that Length I.

This design of the slot has significant advantages for that Opening and closing the slots.

As is known from the so-called membrane theory, arises a complex one within a loaded elastic membrane multi-axis stress state. The stress distribution in the Membrane in particular makes it difficult to close the membrane because for a voltage component that generates a force in one direction, which is not parallel to the respective slot, the individual, flap 20 enclosed by the slits the tendency have to come with their edges on top of each other.

Through the material bridge 19 and the slot section behind it I creates a defined state of tension that the Closing the lobes significantly favored.

This happens on the one hand in that the material bridge 19 in essentially only a uniaxial tension in one direction is subjected perpendicular to the respective slot. When opening of the individual lobes, the material bridge 19 thus acts as one simple tension spring, which has no sliding forces of the slots against each other can produce, but which acts like a rubber band, which is stretched when the flaps are opened and by the restoring force tends to pull the rags together again.

The slot section I lying after the material bridge 19 is reinforced this tendency since he tensions in one direction that not perpendicular to the slot plane from the material bridge 19 keeps away. This ensures that within the material bridge 19 essentially only forces perpendicular to Slot plane take effect.

The function of this closure is below, in particular described with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

When the user removes liquid from the container 2 wants, he opens a possibly existing one (not shown in the figure) Flap, which causes the passage opening 6 in the closure cover exposed.

Then he presses the flexible walls of the container with his hand 2 together, which creates an overpressure in the container. This overpressure causes section b of the connecting wall a folded down and the ring bead 13 on puts on the shoulder 14. Because this process is a flip and this process does not require rolling motion of the membrane very easy and reliable to implement.

The pressure eventually becomes so great that it becomes elastic Restoring forces of the membrane are overcome and the flaps follow open outside, as shown in Fig. 4, whereby the Opening O is created.

The material then begins to flow out of the opening O, whereby the flow process continues as long as an overpressure created in the container by squeezing by the user becomes.

When the user relieves the pressure on the container walls, they widen Container walls open, the pressure drops and the rags close yourself. The closing movement is essentially due to the material bridges 19 relieved. These material bridges have high ones elastic restoring forces when the lobes are over the plane move away, perpendicular to the rotational symmetry axis A-A is and then cause a powerful closing of the lobes, their Cut surfaces pressed together in the closed position and thus form a secure seal. When closing is, due to the negative pressure prevailing in container 3, even the material still in the opening area in the Container sucked back so that no residue of the medium stick to the outside of the tabs 20 and from there down could fall. In particular due to the triangular design the edges of the tabs 20 nestle with three slits self-centering against each other and prevent that in the area of Rotation axis 18 (Fig. 2) an opening remains.

The effect that the slitting used has is primarily that that the restoring force of the valve increases regardless of the degree of ventilation by the webs or material bridges 19, as already mentioned, how rubber bands work, which forcefully pull the valve back to its original position. As a result, the valve at the end of a Removal is in any case completely closed again. Different Parameters between length of sections I, II and the length of the material bridge measured in this direction 19 are useful to use the valve for different media to be able to use. For example, by interruption the webs further reduced the opening forces. It Indeed, quite narrow material bridges are sufficient. According to one other configuration, on the other hand, it is not necessary to interrupt the opening slots when the restoring force achieved only by reducing the parameters x + y + z without affecting the opening forces. In one case the version looks so that the slots are broken with the dimensions z, y, x. The dimensions vary throughout Diameter of the blanket 7. According to another version the opening slots 16 are not interrupted, but only of different lengths, that is, the dimension z + y + x varies in the entire diameter of the membrane 7.

As can be seen from the above, the design of the Slots significantly affect the ability of the membrane to to open and close.

The use of three slots has the particular advantage that the slots are self-centering here can. The use of material bridges or webs has the Advantage that elastic over a uniaxial stress state Restoring forces can be built up.

The length of the slots and the width of these material bridges as well as the number of material bridges (per Slit two or more material bridges can also be provided can be varied to suit the opening and closing behavior to adapt different media.

In a design with three, four, five or more slots all slots can be made with the same length. This is with a rotationally symmetrical design of the valve membrane and a rotationally symmetrical arrangement of the center a star-shaped slit with three, four, five or more slots preferred.

With a star-shaped slit with three, four, five, or However, the length of the individual slots can also have more slots be designed differently, so that the slit itself is not rotationally symmetrical. It is also possible to the slits in a rotationally symmetrical membrane to arrange that the common point of all slots on the Membrane does not coincide with its axis of rotation. It is still possible with a design with three, four, five or more slits with the same star shape or to provide different slot lengths, in which the The angle between the individual slots is not the same. At four slots, the slots z. B. be designed so that they make an angle of> 90 ° to the one adjacent slot, form an angle of <90 ° to the other adjacent slot.

Finally, it is also possible to have several slots in the membrane to provide that are not related, so that with a pressure load on the membrane more than one opening O arises.

Due to the inward curved shape of the Membrane, the cut edges of the tabs 20 are arch-like towards each other, which creates high holding forces. At the same time, however, low forces are sufficient to achieve the Open the rag inwards by negative pressure, so that the Sucking back the medium into the container is favored.

The slitting with material bridges has been described above described on a membrane with three slots. However, it is noted that a corresponding slit with material bridges can also be done if only one Slot is present, which is then on the axis of rotation extends, but also in the presence of four or five slots. Here, too, one becomes slot length and material bridges coordinate in a corresponding manner.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 show a further embodiment of the closing valve according to the invention. This closing valve can can be inserted into a closure cap in a similar manner, as is the case with the closing valve according to FIGS. 1-4 is. The closing valve shows some deviations from 1 to 4, the following in detail are explained.

Fig. 5 shows the valve in the state in which it is injected becomes. After the spraying process, the valve is turned inside out, and namely by the membrane 40 along the rotational axis of symmetry A-A is shifted upwards in the illustration according to FIG. 5.

The intermediate wall 42 is designed similarly to the intermediate wall 8, but there is an essential difference with regard to the membrane 40 and the transition region 43 between the membrane 40 and the connecting wall 42.

Furthermore, the connecting wall 40 has a circumferential groove 44, which results in an arcuate area when turned up.

The design of area b of the connecting wall and the Shoulder 45 is similar to the connecting wall 8 and the shoulder 13 shown there and therefore does not need again here to be discussed.

The slitting of the membrane 40 also does not need to be shown because it exactly matches the slit as it relates 2 and 4 for the membrane 7 has been explained.

However, the shape of the transition area is of particular importance 43 and the shape of the membrane itself, which, as can be seen, deviates from the representation according to FIG. 1.

The connecting wall 42 has, as shown in particular in the illustration 7 shows a cover area 50 in which the connecting wall folded inward in an arc is. The wall thickness in the part of the envelope area which is closer to the axis of rotation A-A, thinner than that Wall thickness of the connecting wall and is approximately half up to two thirds of the wall thickness of this connecting wall below of the handling area 50.

At the envelope area 50, which is curved inwards, includes an outward curved (in the unturned state) first arc area 51, to which finally again one inside, d. H. oppositely curved arc area 52 connects. The wall thickness of this second arch area 52 is significantly higher than the wall thickness of the connecting wall and is about 50 to 100% higher than their strength.

Between this second sheet area 52 and the cover area 50 there is a sharp-edged recess 55, that towards the second arc region 52 from a parallel to the axis of rotation extending cylindrical surface 56 and the arc area 51 is delimited by an annular surface 57, which is perpendicular to the cylindrical surface 56. To the outside The edge of the annular surface 57 then closes the arcuate Cover area 50 with a curved wall.

The wall thickness of the membrane 40, which extends to the second arc area 52 immediately follows, is approximately three to Seven times, preferably about five times the wall thickness of the Connecting wall, this wall thickness, like all other wall thicknesses the membrane, each parallel to the axis of rotation A-A are measured.

The diameter ratio of the total valve to the diameter of the Membrane is approximately 4: 3.

The arch region 52 is coupled directly to the membrane. It is essential that the arch region 52nd does not connect symmetrically to the wall of the membrane, but with respect to the holding section of the membrane in the non-inverted State is shifted.

The membrane extends from the arch area 52 over a cylindrical wall 60 from the holding section in the non-slip Condition, or in the installed state of the interior of the container path.

A second wall section 61, which is not cylindrical, but is conical (the membrane is rotationally symmetrical), extends into the opposite from wall 60 Direction, with the valve installed, towards the container.

The length of the conical wall 61 measured parallel to the axis of rotation, is approximately 50% longer than the length of the cylindrical Wall 60. In other words, the length is cylindrical Wall 60 is approximately equal to the length of the arch section 52 at the junction with the membrane, parallel to the axis of rotation is measured and the length of the conical wall 61 is then by between about 30% and about 70% preferably 50% longer.

At the end of the cylindrical wall 60, designated 60a, the membrane has a relatively sharp edge and extends then from this in a parabolic arc 64 towards the axis of rotation.

The extends from the end 61a of the conical wall 61 Membrane made with a section 65 that is only slightly curved is, d. H. has a large radius of curvature, wherein the side edge in section with a plane that is perpendicular to the Rotation axis A-A is preferred, an angle between 20 ° and 30 ° approx. 25 °.

The wall section with a large radius of curvature 65 goes in one Diameter range that is less than half the membrane diameter, but larger than a quarter of the membrane diameter into a circular area 66 above, which is designed perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Under Here, the membrane diameter is the largest membrane diameter understand that is the distance between two opposite edges 60a.

As can be seen from the figures, the wall thickness of the Membrane with increasing distance from the axis of rotation.

The wall thickness of the membrane at the point of intersection of the axis of rotation is approx. 25% to 75% larger than the wall thickness of the connecting wall below the membrane, preferably about 50% larger. In the transition area between the circular surface 66 and the curved Surface 65, a circular peripheral edge is formed that with the designation 65a, the wall thickness is the Membrane preferably between 25% and 75% higher than the wall thickness in the center, particularly preferably about 50% higher.

In the area of the edge 61a, the wall thickness of the membrane is measured parallel to the axis of rotation, preferably approx. 3 - 4 times the wall thickness at the point of intersection of the axis of rotation, particularly preferably about 3.5 times.

The membrane is preferably made of a silicone material, but there are also other plastic materials, such as thermoplastic elastomers, etc. in question.

It has been found in trials that one described above manufactured membrane from a silicone material with a Slotting as described with reference to Figures 2 and 4 has been particularly good in terms of properties of opening and closing. One designed like this Membrane opens easily and with a relatively large opening diameter, the opening condition can be done with slight overpressure be maintained and closes as soon as the overpressure omitted, reliable and tight, with residues of the medium, which are in the area of the opening when closing be sucked back into the container.

Another special feature of the design according to FIG. 5 is the additional retaining ring 70. This retaining ring has, as from figure 6 shows a plurality of arranged in the circumferential direction Openings 71, which are in cross section, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 5, towards the bottom, d. H. from the contact area with the holding section 72 of the in FIG Expand 50 shown valve pointing.

The retaining ring 70 consists of a harder, less elastic Plastic material as the material of the actual valve, are made from the connecting wall and membrane.

The valve according to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 is manufactured as follows:

First, the retaining ring 70 is in a separate operation injection molded from the appropriate plastic material.

The retaining ring is then molded into the valve body used and it is, in the embodiment, silicone material injected into the injection mold. The silicone material penetrates in the breakthroughs 71.

The silicone material is then used for a longer period of time annealed at suitable temperatures.

After the completion of the valve body, the valve is turned inside out, by the membrane in the illustration according to FIG is moved up. The shoulder 13 is then on the connecting wall in area a as in a corresponding manner for the valve shown there is shown in Figure 1. The The valve is then slotted as shown in Figure 2.

Then the valve is placed in a cap the representation of Figure 1 used, the webs 11 are designed such that they have the retaining ring 70 in a corresponding manner Record wise.

Another embodiment of the invention will now be referenced described in FIG.

FIG. 8 shows a self-closing valve 80, which consists of a holding portion 81, a connecting wall 82 and one Membrane 83 exists. The membrane 83 and the transition region 84 to the side wall 80 is designed in exactly the same way as in FIG with reference to Figures 5 to 7 for the membrane 40 and the transition region 43 was explained.

In contrast to the design according to Figures 1-7 here but the connecting wall does not move during the dispensing process. The connecting wall is therefore designed so that it essentially only absorbs the tensile forces which occur when actuated the membrane is exerted by the membrane on the connecting wall become.

In the embodiment, the connecting wall 82 is with a Wall thickness designed to be about as thick or a little thicker than the largest wall thickness of the membrane. This wall thickness leads to a relatively stiff connecting wall.

With such a design, the connecting wall needs inside a cap that is similar to the cap is designed in Figure 1, little or no guidance.

It should be noted that the wall thickness corresponds to that in FIG. 8 shown is not absolutely necessary. It is, in particular (but not only) if an appropriate guide in the Locking cap is provided, possible for the connecting wall 82 to choose a significantly smaller wall thickness.

The holding section 81 is also much higher Wall thickness executed than the holding section in the other Embodiments of the self-closing valve. Here too it is possible to reduce the wall thickness considerably to make. The higher wall thickness in the area of the connecting wall 82 and the holding section 81 has essentials Advantage for the strength of the valve.

In the same way as in the embodiment according to figures 5 - 7 is also made of a harder plastic Retaining ring 85 provided, the design of which the Holding rings 70 according to Figures 5-7 corresponds.

The valve is manufactured in the same way as above explained for the embodiment of Figures 5-7 has been. The valve is turned inside out from a silicone material Condition manufactured and is then put into the condition in which it is shown in Figure 8. This one too Embodiment can be another instead of silicone material Plastic material with suitable elastic properties and appropriate restoring force can be used, such as. B. a thermoplastic elastomer.

Claims (26)

Process for producing a self-closing valve for dispensing flowable media from a container a curved membrane, the curvature of which, in the closed position, faces the flowable medium and which bulges outward when a pressure is built up in the container, a holding section through which the valve is held on this container, a connecting wall which is arranged between this membrane and this holding section, a slit provided in the membrane that opens in the dispensing position, This slit is arranged such that when the membrane is deformed by the pressure in the container from the closed position to the dispensing position, elastic restoring forces build up within this membrane, which cause the membrane to be returned from this dispensing position to the closed position when the pressure is released .
with the following process steps: Injecting the plastic material into a mold, through which a one-piece valve body consisting of membrane, connecting wall and holding section is formed; Removing the valve body from this mold; Turning the valve body inside out by passing the membrane through the cavity surrounded by the connecting wall; A slit is made in the membrane. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transition between this partition and this Membrane is designed such that essentially none or just moments from the partition to the Membrane are transferred so that from the partition moments transferred to the membrane are not significant Influence on the opening and closing of this slit to have. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the transition area between the connecting wall and membrane is designed hinge-like. Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the membrane and the connecting wall designed essentially rotationally symmetrical are. Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the transition area designed between the connecting wall and the membrane is that the connecting wall is one to the axis of rotation facing edge with an approximately arcuate Has cross section. Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the membrane is essentially one circumferential towards the connecting wall Has wall, and that on this wall a connection area to connect the membrane to the partition is molded. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that this connection area in this way encircling it Wall is molded that he from a central area of this Wall in one direction on the inside of the vault back and, when installed, from the inside of the container gone, is offset. Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it faces inwards Envelope of the connecting wall and this connecting area the membrane over a molded on both Section is connected, which is preferably in cross section is arched, the curvature of this Arc of curvature of the envelope on the connecting wall is opposite. Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the membrane in the closed position in the middle area one towards the container pointing, essentially flat circular surface. Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the wall thickness of the membrane increases from the central region to the outside, the Wall thickness outside and parallel to the axis of rotation preferably measured two to three times the wall thickness in the middle area. Method according to at least one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the slit is designed in this way is that it has a slot. Method according to at least one of claims 1-10, characterized in that this slit three Has slots, which are preferably star-shaped and which are preferably at the same angular distance are arranged to each other. Method according to at least one of claims 1-10, characterized in that this slitting four, five or has more slots, which are preferably star-shaped are arranged and preferably the same Have an angular distance from each other. Method according to claim 2 and one of claims 11 - 13, characterized in that this slit is rotationally symmetrical designed for this axis of rotation is. Method according to at least one of claims 11-14, characterized in that at least one of these Slots is interrupted so that a material bridge arises, the length of this slot break is smaller, preferably significantly smaller is than the entire length of the respective slot. Method according to at least one of claims 11-15, characterized in that at least one slot at least has two or more breaks. Method according to at least one of claims 1-16, characterized in that this connecting wall has the first section (a), which is directly this Membrane is adjacent, as well as a second section (b) which is adjacent to the holding portion, and that this first section (a) and this second section (b) in the closed position in cross section at an angle to each other are arranged. A method according to claim 17, characterized in that this angle measured in cross section between the Area (a) of the connecting wall and area (b) of the Connecting wall increases when the valve moved from the closed position to the delivery position. Method according to at least one of claims 1-16, characterized in that the connecting wall both in the closed position as well as in the dispensing position is essentially rectilinear in cross-section. A method according to claim 19, characterized in that the connecting wall is designed essentially cylindrical and its shape in the transition from the closed position does not change significantly in the dispensing position. Method according to at least one of claims 1-20, characterized in that this holding section with one projecting outwards from the connecting wall, from a holding rim pointing at the axis of rotational symmetry is trained. Method according to at least one of claims 1-21, characterized in that a reinforcing ring is provided which is made of a harder plastic material is made as the material of the membrane. Method according to one of claims 21 or 22, characterized characterized in that this reinforcing ring 23 with rotationally symmetrical Valve body rotationally symmetrical is designed and a variety of openings has, in which in the finished state material the holding portion of the valve. Method according to at least one of claims 1-23, characterized in that the valve body from a There is silicone material. Method according to at least one of claims 1-23, characterized in that the valve body from a thermoplastic elastomer. Method of manufacturing a self-closing valve according to at least one of claims 1 to 25, characterized characterized in that before the injection of the plastic material a reinforcement ring made of plastic is inserted into the mold, this plastic ring has at least two cavities in which the plastic material penetrates during injection.

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