PRESSURE SAFEGUARD DEVICE FOR TIRES FILLED WITH COMPRESSED AIR, AND METHOD FOR THIS PURPOSE

Abstract

A pressure safeguard device (1) for wheels filled with compressed gas comprises at least two tubes which are arranged next to one another in such a way as to run around the tire axis, each of said tubes having a supply line (3) for compressed gas and a common supply connection (4). On each supply line (3), a connectable and releasable connection is formed between the tube (2) and the common supply connection (4). Preferably, the tubes (2) are releasably connected, by means of a connection device (5, 6) which is separate from the tire, so as to form a stack of tubes (2) which directly adjoin one another along their circumference by way of side regions. If one tube (2) is damaged, the other tubes (2) remain intact and expand together into the entire area between the rim (7) and the tire (8). By topping up the intact tubes with compressed gas, the desired tire pressure can be achieved without changing the wheel or the tire.

Claims

1. A pressure safeguard device for wheels filled with compressed gas, in which at least two tubes which are closed in a circular fashion are arranged next to one another in a tire in such a way as to run around the tire axis and the tire can be installed on a rim, the pressure safeguard device comprising: at least two, tubes (2), a common supply connection; a supply line from each tube to the common supply connection; and wherein, on each supply line, a connectable and releasable connection is formed between the tube and the common supply connection.

2. The pressure safeguard device according to claim 1, wherein the tubes are releasably connected, by means of via a connection device which is separate from the tire, so as to form a stack of tubes which directly adjoin one another around their circumference by way of side regions.

3. The pressure safeguard device according to claim 1, wherein the connection device comprises at least one connection means which is arranged on at least one tube or which at least partially surrounds the tubes.

4. The pressure safeguard device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure safeguard device comprises a tire and the circumferential lengths of the tubes are adapted to the tire in such a way that, after being arranged in the tire and inflated to a first degree of filling, they run with their smallest circumferential lines facing toward the tire axis around the tire axis at a radius which is a predefined amount larger than the inner radius of the tire edge lines with the smallest circumference of the tire, wherein the tire edge lines bear against a rim in the installed state.

5. The pressure safeguard device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure safeguard device comprises a tire and a rim and the tubes in the tire and the tire with the tubes is arranged on the rim, wherein the supply lines are connected to the common supply connection, the common supply connection is arranged at a through-opening of the rim and comprises a supply opening and, for each supply line, a closure region.

6. The pressure safeguard device according to claim 5, wherein the pressure safeguard device comprises for each tube a differential pressure closing device which makes it possible to close the connection through the common supply connection to a defective tube, wherein each tube is assigned a closing element which, in the event of a defective tube, closes the connection from the supply opening into the defective tube as a result of an overpressure in at least one intact tube.

7. The pressure safeguard device according to claim 6, wherein the closing elements of the differential pressure closing device are arranged at the connections of the tubes to their supply lines, wherein each closing element is kept open by an opening device with a predefined opening force, in the case of at least two tubes which are arranged in a tire and are originally filled with compressed gas, after a leak has occurred in one tube the at least one remaining intact tube filled with compressed gas flattens the tube with the leak and thereby moves the closing element thereof into a closed position counter to the opening force so that, when compressed gas is topped up through the common supply connection, the supplied compressed gas cannot escape through the tube with the leak but rather fills the at least one other tube.

8. The pressure safeguard device according to claims 1, wherein the connection device comprises at least one connection means which is arranged on at least one tube and comprises connection elements which are arranged on at least one side of the at least one tube and which are arranged in the circumferential direction of the at least one tube at least at two locations distributed substantially evenly around the circumference, wherein the connection elements are preferably formed of elements for hook-and-loop connections or optionally of regions containing an adhesive which achieves a releasable connection.

9. The pressure safeguard device according to claim 8 wherein each tube comprises first hook-and-loop elements on one side in the direction of the tire axis and second hook-and-loop elements on the other side, wherein the first and the second hook-and-loop elements can be releasably connected to one another.

10. The pressure safeguard device according to claim 1, wherein each tube is assigned its own pressure accumulator and the connections from the common supply connection to the tubes take place in a parallel manner via supply lines, the associated pressure accumulators and top-up lines connected thereto, wherein pressure-reducing valves are arranged between the pressure accumulators and the tubes, which pressure-reducing valves ensure that the supply to each tube takes place until a predefined pressure value is reached in the tire and starts again when there is a drop below the predefined pressure value in the tire, wherein a check valve is preferably arranged between each pressure-reducing valve and the tube connected thereto, which check valve prevents gas from flowing back out of the tube toward the pressure accumulator, and in particular at least one vent valve is connected to the tubes for venting the tubes.

11. The pressure safeguard device according to claim 10, wherein at least four pressure accumulators are used, wherein the pressure accumulators, preferably as elements running in a circular fashion around the tire axis, then run radially at the associated tubes toward the tire axis and are connected to the tubes or to one another preferably via a releasable connection.

12. The pressure safeguard device according to claim 11, wherein the circumferential lengths of the pressure accumulators are adapted to an associated tire in such a way that, once the tubes and the pressure accumulators have been arranged in the tire and the tubes have been inflated to a first degree of filling, the smallest circumferential lines of the pressure accumulators facing toward the tire axis run around the tire axis at a radius which is a predefined amount larger than the inner radius of the tire edge lines with the smallest circumference of the tire, wherein the tire edge lines bear against the rim in the installed state.

13. A method for ensuring a predefined pressure value in a pressure safeguard device according to claim 5, wherein, after a reduction in pressure due to a defective tube, a compressed gas source, is connected to the common supply connection and substantially the gas volume that has escaped from the defective tube is filled into the leaktight tubes until a predefined pressure value is reached in the tire.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the gas used for filling from the pressure cylinder is nitrogen.

15. The pressure safeguard device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two tubes are at least four tubes.

16. The pressure safeguard device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two tubes are at least five tubes.

17. The pressure safeguard device according to claim 11, wherein the at least four pressure accumulators are at least five pressure accumulators.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein the compressed gas source is a compressed gas cylinder.

Description

[0059] The drawings explain the invention on the basis of exemplary embodiments, but the invention is not limited thereto. In the drawings:

[0060] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a pressure safeguard device with four tubes, each of said tubes having a supply line for compressed gas, a common supply connection and a connection device which releasably connects the tubes to one another,

[0061] FIGS. 2 and 3 show perspective views of four tubes, each of said tubes having a supply line and connection means arranged on the tubes,

[0062] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a pressure safeguard device with a rim, a cut-open tire and four cut-open tubes, each of said tubes being connected via a supply line to a common supply connection on the rim,

[0063] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a pressure safeguard device with a rim, a cut-open tire, four cut-open tubes, and four cut-open pressure accumulators,

[0064] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a pressure safeguard device with four tubes, each of said tubes having a supply line for compressed gas and a common supply connection which comprises a supply opening and, for each supply line, a closure region,

[0065] FIGS. 6a and 6b show longitudinal sections through a supply connection in the closed and open valve position, respectively,

[0066] FIG. 6c shows a front view of the supply connection according to FIGS. 6a and 6b,

[0067] FIGS. 7a and 7b show perspective views of a detail of a pressure safeguard device, the details showing portions of two tubes and a differential pressure closing device for one or for both,

[0068] FIG. 7c shows a section through a detail of a pressure safeguard device, the detail showing portions of four tubes and a differential pressure closing device for three tubes,

[0069] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a pressure safeguard device with a rim, a cut-open tire and four cut-open filled tubes,

[0070] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a pressure safeguard device with a rim, a cut-open tire and four cut-open tubes, of which one is defective and the others are filled,

[0071] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a pressure safeguard device with a rim, a cut-open tire, four cut-open filled tubes and four cut-open pressure accumulators,

[0072] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a pressure safeguard device with a rim, a cut-open tire, four cut-open filled tubes and four cut-open pressure accumulators which are formed in the rim,

[0073] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a pressure safeguard device with a rim, a cut-open tire, four cut-open filled tubes, and three annular damping elements arranged between the tubes,

[0074] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a pressure safeguard device with a rim, a cut-open tire, four cut-open filled tubes, and three intermediate tubes arranged between the tubes,

[0075] FIG. 14 shows a detail of an arrangement comprising a tube and an intermediate tube arranged thereon,

[0076] FIG. 15a shows a perspective view of a differential pressure closing device, and

[0077] FIGS. 15b and 15c show sections through a differential pressure closing device in the open and closed state, respectively.

[0078] FIG. 1 shows a pressure safeguard device with four circularly closed tubes 2 which are arranged next to one another in such a way as to run around a common axis. Each tube 2 is connected via a supply line 3 to a common supply connection 4. In the inflated state, the tubes 2 are releasably connected by means of at least one connection device so as to form a stack, wherein the tubes 2 in the direction of the common axis directly adjoin one another along their circumference by way of side regions. The supply lines 3 are releasably attached to the common supply connection 4. The common supply connection 4 comprises a supply opening 4a, via which the tubes can be filled and emptied. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection device is formed of a flat material 5 which is arranged in a sleeve-like manner around the tubes at least in one circumferential region of the tubes. A contact or overlap region (not shown) comprises a connection arrangement, preferably comprising a releasable hook-and-loop connection, form-fitting connection or adhesive connection.

[0079] FIGS. 2 and 3 show tubes 2 with connection means which have, on at least one side of the tubes, connection elements 6 which are arranged in the circumferential direction of the tubes at least at two locations distributed substantially evenly around the circumference or which are arranged around the entire circumference. The connection elements 6 are formed of elements for hook-and-loop connections, latching connections or form-fitting connections or optionally of regions containing an adhesive which achieves a releasable connection. In the case of advantageous hook-and-loop connections, each tube will have first hook-and-loop elements on one side in the direction of the tire axis and second hook-and-loop elements on the other side, wherein the first and the second hook-and-loop elements can be releasably connected to one another. When connecting the tubes 2, the supply lines 3 are preferably led away toward the common axis so that they can be connected to a common supply connection 4 on a rim.

[0080] FIG. 4 shows a tube stack between a rim 7 and a tire 8 installed on the rim 7. During installation, first the supply lines 3 of the tubes 2 were connected to the common supply connection 4, which is arranged at a through-opening of the rim 7. The tubes 2 were then inflated via the common supply connection 4 to a first degree of filling, so that the tubes 2 are held in the tire 8 and provide a desired free space 9 on the side of the tire 8 facing toward the rim 7. In this state, the tire 8 can be installed on the rim 7 without any problem because the free space 9 is large enough for the radially outwardly projecting rim edge 7a.

[0081] To ensure the free space 9, the tire 8 and the circumferential lengths of the tubes 2 are adapted to one another in such a way that the tubes 2, after being arranged in the tire 8 and inflated to a first degree of filling, run with their smallest circumferential lines facing toward the tire axis around the tire axis at a radius which is a predefined amount larger than the inner radius of the tire edge lines with the smallest circumference of the tire 8.

[0082] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which each tube 2 is assigned its own pressure accumulator 10. The connections from the common supply connection 4 to the tubes 2 take place in a parallel manner via supply lines 11 into the associated pressure accumulators 10 and from the latter via top-up lines 12 into the corresponding tubes 2. Arranged between the pressure accumulators 10 and the tubes 2 are pressure-reducing valves (not shown) which ensure that the supply to each tube 2 takes place until a predefined pressure value is reached in the tire 8 and starts again when there is a drop below the predefined pressure value.

[0083] A check valve (not shown) is optionally arranged between each pressure-reducing valve and the tube 2 connected thereto, which check valve prevents gas from flowing back out of the tube 2 counter to the pressure accumulator 10. At least in the embodiments with check valves, in order to vent the tubes 2, a vent line 13 is connected to each tube 2 and at least one vent valve 14 is connected to the vent lines 13.

[0084] The pressure accumulators 10 comprise shaping means which restrict the expansion of the pressure accumulators when filling with the compressed gas or when building up an overpressure that is substantially above the predefined tire pressure. The overpressure required depends on the volume of the pressure accumulator, on the desired tire pressure, and on the top-up volume to be achieved in the associated tube, wherein the top-up volume to be achieved can be determined from the total number of tubes, the maximum number of defective tubes to be compensated, and the volume to be filled by the tubes in the tire.

[0085] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a common supply connection 4 which is arranged on the rim 7 and which comprises a supply opening 4a and, for each supply line 3, a closure region 15. The closure regions 15 are pretensioned by a pretensioning device 16, in particular a spring, so that all connections from the supply opening 4a into the supply lines 3 are closed individually. This ensures that, in the event of one leaking tube 2, the other tubes 2 cannot discharge compressed gas through the defective tube 2 to the surrounding environment via their supply lines 3.

[0086] In the illustrated embodiment, the supply opening 4a of the common supply connection 4 is provided with a check valve 17 which can be opened by pushing in a central pin 18. Moving this pin 18 also moves the closure regions 15 away from the connections to the supply lines 3 so that compressed gas can be discharged from the tubes 2 or, in the event of a higher pressure on the side of the supply opening, compressed gas can be filled into the tubes 2. It goes without saying that optionally only the pretensioned closure regions 15 are provided, without the additional check valve 17.

[0087] In the illustrated embodiment, the spacings between the closure regions 15 increase or decrease along the longitudinal axis of the supply connection 4. The lines of intersection of the closure regions 15 with normal planes to the longitudinal axis may be rectilinear or curved. The closure regions 15 are formed by partial surfaces of a displaceable valve body which is arranged in a correspondingly formed housing 19 with openings 20 to the supply lines 3.

[0088] The openings 20 and the supply lines 3 connected thereto can be tightly connected via releasable connections. In the illustrated embodiment, annular grooves 21 are formed at the openings 20 and the end regions of the supply lines 3 comprise corresponding annular beads 22 for engaging in the annular grooves 21. Because the internal cross-sectional area of the supply lines 3 can be selected to be small, the forces to be absorbed by the engagement-type connections are small.

[0089] The wall thickness and dimensional stability of the supply lines 3 is great enough that the latter remain open even when they are loaded from outside with customary tire pressures. This load capacity is necessary for emptying the tubes 2 because the supply lines 3 run inside the tire 8 from the tubes 2 to the common supply connection 4 and thus are loaded on their outer side with the tire pressure.

[0090] FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c show a further embodiment of the common supply connection 4, which comprises a supply opening 4a and openings 20 to the supply lines 3 and connections therebetween which can be closed by closure regions 15. In the situation shown in FIG. 6a, the closure regions 15 formed on a central conical portion of a valve part 15a are pressed by the spring 16 against the receiving area 19a of the housing 19 which is adapted thereto, so that all the connections from the supply opening 4a to the openings 20 are closed. Supply lines 3 can be tightly connected to the openings 20 via releasable connections.

[0091] In the situation shown in FIG. 6b, the supply opening 4a of the common supply connection 4 is connected to all the openings 20 on account of the pushed-in central pin 18, the central conical portion of the valve part 15a displaced thereby and the closure regions 15 moved into the open position. Compressed gas can be introduced into tubes (not shown) or discharged therefrom via the supply connection 4 and supply lines (not shown).

[0092] The housing 19 comprises two housing parts 19b and 19c, which can be screwed to one another, and a sealing element 19d arranged therebetween, wherein the first housing part 19b has the openings 20 and also accommodates the spring 16, and the second housing part 19c is connected via a thread to the inner connection opening of a valve portion 17 which can be fixed to a through-opening of the rim 7. The valve portion 17 comprises a main part 17a and a sleeve 17b which can be securely screwed thereto. Elastic connection rings 17c of the main part 17a and of the sleeve 17b enable secure clamping of the valve portion 17 at the through-opening of the rim 7.

[0093] In the illustrated embodiment, the closure regions 15 are arranged on a conical region having a circular cross-section, wherein this region belongs to a valve part 15a which is displaceably mounted in the correspondingly formed housing 19 and is connected to the central pin 18.

[0094] The vent valve 14 shown in FIG. 5 is preferably constructed in the same way as the common supply connection 4. On the vent valve 14, the vent lines 13 occur in place of the supply lines 3.

[0095] Embodiments and modes of operation of differential pressure closing devices will be explained with reference to FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7c. In the solutions shown, a closing element 23 for closing the connection is arranged at each connection of a tube 2 to the supply line 3 thereof. The closing element 23 is held open by an opening device, in particular a spring 24, with a predefined opening force. In the case of at least two tubes 2 which are arranged in a tire 8 and are filled with compressed gas, after a leak has occurred in one tube 2, the leaking tube is flattened by the remaining intact pressurized tubes 2. The closing element 23 is thereby moved into a closed position counter to the opening force. This prevents the situation whereby, when topping up compressed gas through the common supply connection 4, an undesirably large amount of the supplied compressed gas can escape through the tube 2 with the leak. The majority of the supplied compressed gas enters intact tubes.

[0096] FIG. 7c shows a closed differential pressure closing device on the defective tube and an open differential pressure closing device on two intact tubes. The differential pressure closing devices shown are configured as tube valves 25 and are attached to tube openings 26 by attachment patches 27. The tube valves 25 comprise a valve housing 28, from which an attachment ring 29 projects radially outward. The attachment ring 29 bears externally against the tube 2 at the tube opening 26 and is held tightly on the tube 2 by the attachment patch 27 connected to the tube 2. The valve housing 28 has a closable aperture 30 and a guide arrangement 31 for a movable closing part 32 comprising the closing element 23.

[0097] In the case of an intact tube 2, the closing part 32 is pressed by a spring 24 toward the open position and against a stop of the guide arrangement 31 so that the aperture 30 is open and compressed gas that is supplied through the supply line 3 can flow into the tube 2.

[0098] The movable closing part 32 comprises an actuating surface 34 which projects toward the interior of the tube 2. In a compressed tube 2, the actuating surface 34 and thus the movable closing part 32 is moved into the closed position counter to the spring force of the spring 24 so that the aperture 30 is closed and compressed gas that is supplied through the supply line 3 cannot flow into a defective tube 2.

[0099] The tube valve 25 comprises an end part 35 which is fixed to the valve housing 28 and which has a connection opening 36 for the supply line 3. The tube valve 25 can be formed in a compact and edge-free manner so that there is no risk of damage to the tubes even in the event of heavy loads caused by the pressure and the rolling motion of the tire.

[0100] FIG. 8 shows a rim 7, a cut-open tire 8 and four tubes 2 inflated between the rim 7 and the tire 8 in a cut-open view.

[0101] In FIG. 9, one of the four tubes 2 is damaged by a foreign object, for example a nail 37, so that the air escapes from the damaged tube 2. Because an overpressure is still applied to the other tubes 2, the latter expand until the defective tube 2 is flat and the other tubes, each with a similar volume, fill the space between the rim 7 and the tire 8.

[0102] When the tubes 12 are completely filled in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 with pressure accumulators 10, the pressure accumulators 10 are optionally compressed somewhat against the rim 7 and the space between the rim 7 and the tire 8 is substantially filled by the tubes 2 and the pressure accumulators 10. However, because the pressure accumulators 10 are preferably less compressible, in FIG. 10 the tubes 2 are connected to the pressure accumulators 10 in particular in such a way that the tubes 2 on both sides of the associated pressure accumulator 10 expand toward the rim 7 so that the pressure accumulators 10 are surrounded by tube regions.

[0103] In the embodiment according to FIG. 11, the pressure accumulators 10 are formed in the rim 7, for example by two corrugated sheets being arranged in the manner of a mirror image and being tightly connected to one another at corrugation troughs. Annular chambers for the pressure accumulators 10 are formed between the annular connecting lines. From a common supply connection 4, supply lines 11 lead into the associated pressure accumulators 10, and top-up lines 12 lead from the latter into the corresponding tubes 2. Arranged between the pressure accumulators 10 and the tubes 2 are pressure-reducing valves (not shown) which ensure that the supply to each tube 2 takes place until a predefined pressure value is reached in the tire 8 and starts again when there is a drop below the predefined pressure value.

[0104] A check valve (not shown) is optionally arranged between each pressure-reducing valve and the tube 2 connected thereto, which check valve prevents gas from flowing back out of the tube 2 toward the pressure accumulator 10. At least in the embodiments with check valves, in order to vent the tubes 2, a vent line is connected to each tube 2 and at least one vent valve is connected to the vent lines.

[0105] FIG. 12 shows an embodiment in which annular damping elements 38 are arranged between the tube walls bearing against one another, preferably close to the inner surface of the tire 8. With such damping elements 38, both tube walls deviate somewhat from the radial orientation. In compression phases, the radially oriented portions of the tubes 2 press against the damping element, which is able to absorb the compression. To this end, the damping element is elastic, possibly made of sponge rubber or of a sufficiently elastic or damping plastic. The forces absorbed by the damping elements reduce the load on the tube walls.

[0106] In special embodiments, annular damping elements 38 between adjacent tubes 2 also perform a connection function in addition to the damping function. To this end, they comprise at least regions containing hook-and-loop elements, form-fitting connection elements or releasable adhesive.

[0107] FIGS. 13 and 14 show an embodiment with intermediate tubes 2a in regions where tube walls of the tubes 2 bear against one another. The intermediate tubes 2a directly adjoin the inner surface of the tire 8 and have, in the pressurized state of the tire 8, smaller cross-sectional areas than the other tubes 2 in planes through the tire axis. In one preferred embodiment, each intermediate tube 2a is fastened to at least one tube 2. In particular, it is fastened to both adjacent tubes 2 so that, after inflating the tubes 2 and the intermediate tubes 2a, the positions of the tubes 2 and intermediate tubes 2a shown in FIG. 13 are ensured.

[0108] Each intermediate tube 2a comprises a supply line and is connected to a common supply connection. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection of the intermediate tube 2a to the common supply connection runs via an adjacent tube 2 and from the adjacent tube, via the supply line thereof, to the common supply connection. A supply line could be used to connect the intermediate tube 2a to the tube 2. In the embodiment according to FIG. 13, the connection is achieved directly via a differential pressure closing device, preferably via a tube valve 25, which is inserted in the tube walls bearing against one another. This makes it possible to close the connection between the intermediate tube 2a and the tube 2 connected thereto in the event of a defective intermediate tube 2a by using the pressure of at least one intact tube.

[0109] FIGS. 15a, 15b and 15c show a differential pressure closing device in the form of a tube valve 25 which is inserted tightly into a tube opening 26. The tube valve 25 comprises a valve housing 28, from which an attachment ring 29 projects radially outward. The attachment ring 29 is tightly connected to the tube 2 and to the intermediate tube 2a. The valve housing 28 comprises a closable aperture 30 and a closing part 32 which is movable in the valve housing 28 and which has the closing element 23. In the case of an intact tube 2 or an intact intermediate tube 2a, the closing part 32 is pressed into the open position against a stop 35a by a spring 24 so that the aperture 30 is open and compressed gas that is supplied through the supply line 3 or from a tube 2 can flow into the tube 2 or into the intermediate tube 2a.

[0110] The movable closing part 32 comprises an actuating surface 34 which projects toward the interior of the tube 2 or of the intermediate tube 2a. In a compressed tube 2 or intermediate tube 2a, the actuating surface 34 and thus the movable closing part 32 is moved into the closed position counter to the spring force of the spring 24 so that the aperture 30 is closed by the closing element 23 and compressed gas that is supplied through the supply line 3 or from the tube 2 cannot flow into a defective tube 2 or intermediate tube 2a.

[0111] The tube valve 25 comprises an end part 35 which is fixed to the valve housing 28 and which has a connection opening 36 for the supply line 3 or to the tube 2. The tube valve 25 is formed in a compact and edge-free manner so that there is no risk of damage to the tubes even in the event of heavy loads caused by the pressure and the rolling motion of the tire.

[0112] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the connection from the intermediate tube 2a to the tube 2 comprises substantially only a tube valve 25, wherein the tube 2 and the intermediate tube 2a are connected to one another at their coincident tube opening 26 and connect tightly to the tube valve 25. To connect the intermediate tube to at least one tube 2, use can be made of a connection means which is arranged on at least one tube 2, 2a and which comprises connection elements 6 which are arranged on at least one side of the at least one tube 2, 2a and which are arranged in the circumferential direction of the at least one tube 2, 2a at least at two locations distributed substantially evenly around the circumference, wherein said connection elements 6 are preferably formed of elements for hook-and-loop connections or optionally of regions containing an adhesive which achieves a connection.

[0113] A differential pressure closing device according to FIGS. 15a, 15b and 15c can also advantageously be used in each connection shown in FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7c from a supply line 3 to the tube 2 connected thereto.