Dispenser container, dispenser and method for manufacturing a dispenser container

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispenser container for pressurized fluids, comprising: a metal shell forming at least part of an outer wall of the container, which metal shell at least partly encloses an internal container volume, a partition wall separating internal container volume into a high-pressure chamber and a low-pressure chamber, and a valve mounted into the partition wall in a substantially fluid-tight manner, which valve is configured for a controlled release of fluid from the high-pressure chamber to the low-pressure chamber, wherein the partition wall is at a sealing zone sealed to the metal shell in a substantially fluid-tight manner, and wherein the metal shell delimits at least a part of the high pressure chamber. The invention further relates to a dispenser comprising such a dispenser container and a method for manufacturing such a dispenser container.

Claims

1. A dispenser container for pressurized fluids, comprising: a metal shell forming at least part of an outer wall of the dispenser container, wherein said metal shell at least partly encloses an internal container volume; a partition wall separating the internal container volume into a high-pressure chamber and a low-pressure chamber; and a valve mounted into the partition wall in a substantially fluid-tight manner, wherein said valve is configured for a controlled release of fluid from the high-pressure chamber to the low-pressure chamber, wherein the partition wall is at a sealing zone sealed to the metal shell in a substantially fluid-tight manner, wherein the metal shell delimits at least a part of the high-pressure chamber, and wherein an outer side of the metal shell is provided with at least one indent extending into the internal container volume, wherein the at least one indent forms at least part of the sealing zone such that applying a pressure difference over the partition wall causes the partition wall to press against said at least one indent extending into the internal container volume to seal the partition wall to the metal shell.

2. A dispenser container for pressurized fluids, comprising: a metal shell forming at least part of an outer wall of the dispenser container, wherein said metal shell at least partly encloses an internal container volume; a partition wall separating the internal container volume into a high-pressure chamber and a low-pressure chamber; and a valve mounted into the partition wall in a substantially fluid-tight manner, wherein said valve is configured for a controlled release of fluid from the high-pressure chamber to the low-pressure chamber, wherein the partition wall is at a sealing zone sealed to the metal shell in a substantially fluid-tight manner, wherein the metal shell delimits at least a part of the high-pressure chamber, and wherein an outer side of the metal shell is provided with at least one indent extending into the internal container volume, wherein the at least one indent forms at least part of the sealing zone.

3. The dispenser container according to claim 2, characterized in that the metal shell delimits at least a part of the low-pressure chamber.

4. The dispenser container according to claim 2, characterized in that the partition wall is fixedly connected to the metal shell.

5. The dispenser container according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one indent extends at least partly along the container.

6. The dispenser container according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one indent extends into the low-pressure chamber and forms an abutment surface for a part of a surface of the partition wall adjoining the low-pressure chamber.

7. The dispenser container according to claim 2, characterized in that the partition wall has an at least partly convex shape, extending at least partly past the sealing zone into the low-pressure chamber.

8. The dispenser container according to claim 7, characterized in that the partition wall comprises a rim portion extending in a direction parallel to the metal shell, wherein at least part of the rim portion forms part of the sealing zone.

9. The dispenser container according to claim 2, characterized in that the partition wall has an at least partly concave shape, extending at least partly past the sealing zone into the high-pressure chamber.

10. A method for manufacturing a dispenser container according to claim 2, comprising the steps of: A) forming the metal shell; B) mounting the valve into the partition wall; C) positioning the partition wall into the internal container volume at least partly enclosed by the metal shell; D) applying a pressure difference over the partition wall such that the partition wall is pressed against the at least one indent extending into the internal container volume; and E) sealing the partition wall to the metal shell.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the at least one indent extends into the internal container volume at a side of the partition wall adjoining the low-pressure chamber, and in that, as a result of the applied pressure difference, the pressure at a side of the partition wall adjoining the high-pressure chamber exceeds the pressure at the side of the partition wall adjoining the low-pressure chamber such that the partition wall is pressed against the indent with a part of a surface of the partition wall adjoining the low-pressure chamber.

12. The method according to any of the claim 10, characterized in that the partition wall is sealed to the metal shell by means of at least one of a welded bond, a soldered bond, an adhesive bond, a fusion bond, a friction bond and a gasket.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the partition wall is sealed to the metal shell by at least partly melting a sealing material provided at the sealing zone between the metal shell and the partition wall.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that prior to step C) the sealing material is applied onto the partition wall.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that prior to step C) the sealing material is applied onto the partition wall in the form of a ring being pre-assembled around at least a part of a rim portion of the partition wall.

16. The dispenser container according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one indent extends at fully around a circumference of the outer wall of the container.

Description

(1) The invention will now be elucidated on the basis of non-limitative exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the following figures. Corresponding elements are denoted in the figures by corresponding reference numbers. In the figures:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal cross-section of a first embodiment of a dispenser container according to the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 shows an up close view on “detail A” of the dispenser container as shown in FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal cross-section of a second embodiment of a dispenser container according to the invention,

(5) FIG. 4 shows an up close view on “detail B” of the dispenser container as shown in FIG. 3, and

(6) FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal cross-section of a partition wall for use in a dispenser container according to the invention.

(7) FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal cross-section of a first embodiment of a dispenser container 1 according to the invention. The dispenser container (1) comprises an outer wall formed by a metal shell (2) comprising a side wall (3) and a bottom (4). In the depicted case, the side wall (3) and the bottom (4) form a single, integral part of the metal shell (2). However, it is likewise possible that metal shell (2) comprises a seamed side wall (3) and a separate bottom (4), connected to the side wall (3) by means of another seam. The metal shell (2) encloses an internal container volume (5) which is, with the interposition of a partition wall (6), divided into a high-pressure chamber (7) and a low-pressure chamber (8). The high-pressure chamber (7) functions as a reservoir for a (highly) compressed propellant (9), which resides in the high-pressure chamber (7), possibly in a (partially) liquid form. Suitable propellants (9) include propane, butane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, air or any other suitable substance. Preferably, a propellant is chosen that does not chemically react with the dispensable fluid. The high-pressure chamber (7) is delimited partly by the partition wall (6) and partly by the metal shell (2). The partition wall (6) is hereby at a sealing zone (10) sealed to the metal shell (2) in a substantially fluid-tight manner such that a (highly) pressurized propellant (9) is contained inside the high-pressure chamber (7). As a way of obtaining this fluid-tight seal, the partition wall (6) is fixedly connected to the metal shell (2) in a form-fitting manner, wherein the part of the partition wall (6) connected to the metal shell (2) follows the contours of the metal shell. Specifically, the partition wall (6) hereby lies against an indent (11) provided in the container outer wall, as is shown in more detail in FIG. 2. The partition wall (6) moreover comprises a rim portion (22) extending in a direction parallel to the metal shell (2), wherein the rim portion (22) (partly) forms part of the sealing zone (10). To allow for a controlled release of propellant (9) from the high-pressure chamber (7) to the low-pressure chamber (8), a valve (12) is mounted into the partition wall (6) in a substantially fluid-tight manner. In the presently shown embodiment, said valve (12) is a constant pressure release valve configured for releasing propellant (9) from the high pressure chamber (7) to the low pressure chamber (8) at a constant pressure. The metal shell (2) is at the bottom (4) thereof provided with another valve, being a dedicated filling valve (13) that connects to the high-pressure chamber (7). The low-pressure chamber (8) is, like the high-pressure chamber (7), delimited partly by the partition wall (6) and partly by the metal shell (2). The low-pressure chamber (8) is configured to contain a dispensable fluid (14) as well as the pressurized propellant (9), both held under a lower pressure than the propellant (9) present in the high-pressure chamber (7). On a neck portion (15) of the metal shell (2) at the top end of the dispenser container (1) an outlet valve (16) is positioned through which the dispensable fluid (14) present in the low-pressure chamber (8) may be dispensed. The outlet valve (16) hereto connects the low-pressure chamber (8) with an outside of the dispenser container (1). A piston (17), moveably positioned in the low-pressure chamber (8), separates the low-pressure chamber (8) into a first compartment (18) and a second compartment (19). The first compartment (18), extending between the partition wall (6) and the piston (17), hereby contains the propellant (9) originating from the high-pressure chamber (7), while the second compartment (19), extending between the piston (17) and the outlet valve (16), contains the fluid (14) to be dispensed. In the depicted embodiment, the piston (17) connects to internal wall of the metal shell (2) in a substantially fluid-tight manner, such that even a low viscosity dispensable liquid (14) remains separated from the propellant (9). During use of the dispenser, the piston (17) typically moves from a first position wherein in lies against the partition wall (6) to a second position wherein it lies against the neck portion (15) of the dispenser container (1). In the first position, the second compartment (19) is at its maximum volume such that the low-pressure chamber (8) is substantially completely filled with dispensable fluid (14). In the second position, the second compartment (8) is at its minimum volume such that the low-pressure chamber (8) is substantially completely emptied of dispensable fluid (14). To ensure that a minimum amount of dispensable fluid (14) remains inside the second compartment (8) when the dispenser is emptied, the surface (20) of the piston (17) facing the outlet valve (16) is given a shape corresponding to the contours of bottom end (21) of the outlet valve (16) facing the piston (17) such that the piston (17) lies flat against the outlet valve (16) and the volume of the second compartment (8) is effectively reduced to zero.

(8) FIG. 2 shows an up close view on “detail A” of the dispenser container (1) as shown in FIG. 1. This details shows the connection of the partition wall (6) to the metal shell (2) forming an outer wall of the dispenser container (1). It can be seen that the outer side (23) of the metal shell (2) is provided with an indent (11) extending into the internal container volume (5), and in particular into the low-pressure chamber (8). This indent (11) constitutes part of the sealing zone (10) and forms an abutment surface for a part of a surface (24) of the partition wall (6) adjoining the low-pressure chamber (8). Also part of the sealing zone is the rim portion (22) of the partition wall (6) that extends in a direction parallel to the metal shell (2). It is hereby possible that the partition wall (6) extends all the way up to the bottom (4) of the metal shell (2) to effectively increase the area over which the partition wall (6) can be connected to the metal shell (2). The indent (11) typically extends fully around a circumference of the outer wall of the dispenser container (1) to maximally benefit the quality of the seal between the metal shell (2) and the partition wall (6).

(9) FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal cross-section of a second embodiment of a dispenser container (30) according to the invention. Like the dispenser container (1) shown in FIG. 1, this dispenser container (30) comprises a metal shell (31), on an inside provided with a partition wall (32) sealed to the metal shell (31) to separate the internal container volume (33) into a high-pressure chamber (34) and a low-pressure chamber (35). The partition wall (32) is again provided with a (constant pressure release) valve (36) and the top end of the dispenser container (30) is provided with an outlet valve (37). This time however, the low-pressure chamber (8) does not house a piston. Instead thereof, a dip tube (38) is connected to the outlet valve (37) and extends into the low-pressure chamber (35) up to the partition wall (32). It is however also conceivable that the a dip tube (38) is used in combination with a piston, wherein the dip tube (38) only extends into the then created second compartment of the low-pressure chamber (35). Another difference is related to the sealing zone (39) and concerns the way in which the partition wall (32) is sealed to the metal shell (31), which difference is further elaborated upon with regard to FIG. 4.

(10) FIG. 4 shows an up close view on “detail B” of the dispenser container (30) as shown in FIG. 3. As can be seen, a sealing material (40) is provided at the sealing zone (39) between the metal shell (31) and the partition wall (32) in the form of a ring (41) being pre-assembled around at least a part of a rim portion (42) of the partition wall (32). The ring (41) is typically (partly) melted to create the seal between the partition wall (32) and the metal shell (31). An indent (43) again constitutes part of the sealing zone (39) and forms an abutment surface for a part of a surface (44) of the partition wall (32) adjoining the low-pressure chamber (35), wherein the sealing material (40) interposes the partition wall (32) and said indent (43).

(11) FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal cross-section of a partition wall (50) for use in a dispenser container (1, 30) according to the invention. Other than the partition walls (6, 32) of the dispenser containers shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, this partition wall (50) comprises a profiled wall part (51) configured for supporting, with a surface (52) facing the high-pressure chamber, a part (and preferably a circumferential part) of the top surface of a (constant pressure release) valve (12, 36) as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As the valve (12, 36) is pressed against the partition wall (50) under the influence of the overpressure in the high-pressure chamber (7, 34), a seal is then automatically created between the partition wall (50) and the valve (12, 36).

(12) It should be clear that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments illustrated and described here, but that countless variants are possible within the framework of the attached claims which will be obvious to the person skilled in the art. It is therefore conceivable for various inventive concepts and/or technical measures of the above-described variant embodiments to be completely or partly combined without, in this case, moving away from the inventive idea described in the attached claims. The differences in the way in which the partition wall is sealed to the metal shell as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 between the embodiments of the dispenser container according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 are for example not dependent on other embodiment specific differences.

(13) The dispenser container according to the present invention may also be characterized in that the metal shell comprises a side wall and a bottom. The side wall and the bottom may form a single, integral part of the metal shell. A further option is that the metal shell comprises a seamed side wall and a separate bottom, connected to the side wall.

(14) The valve may be a constant pressure release valve configured for releasing fluid from the high pressure chamber to the low pressure chamber at a constant pressure and/or the valve may be configured as a filling valve allowing the pass-through of a fluid to the high-pressure chamber. Also the metal shell may be provided with a dedicated filling valve connecting to the high-pressure chamber.

(15) The dispenser container may comprises a piston moveably positioned in the low-pressure chamber, wherein the piston separates the low-pressure chamber into: a first compartment extending between the partition wall and the piston, and a second compartment bordering a side of the piston facing away from the first compartment. In a bottommost position of the piston of such a dispenser container, wherein the piston at least partly abuts the partition wall, a space may be left between the piston and the partition wall, wherein said space has a volume of at least 4 ml.

(16) The dispenser container may also comprise an outlet valve connecting the low-pressure chamber with an outside of the dispenser container, and optionally the dispenser container may also comprise a dip tube that is connected to the outlet valve and extends into the low-pressure chamber.

(17) A surface of the piston facing the second compartment may have a shape at least partly corresponding to the contours of bottom end of the outlet valve facing the piston and/or the high-pressure chamber may contain a propellant and the low pressure chamber may comprise a fluid to be dispensed.

(18) The method for manufacturing a dispenser container may be characterized in that step A) comprises deep drawing a blank wherein a punch is driven into the blank, thus forming a single, integral part comprising a bottom and a side wall of the metal shell. As an alternative step A) may comprise transforming a metal sheet into a tubular side wall wherein two adjacent edges of the metal sheet are connected with a seam, and subsequently connecting a separate bottom to a bottom end of the tubular side wall. Step D) of the method for manufacturing a dispenser container may involve locally heating the metal shell and/or the partition wall at the sealing zone, which local heating of the metal shell and/or the partition wall at the sealing zone may be performed through electromagnetic induction.

(19) During the manufacturing of a dispenser container the sealing zone may be actively cooled after sealing of the partition wall to the metal shell.

(20) It is also an option that after step D) a top end of the metal shell opposing a bottom of the metal shell is formed into a neck portion configured for connection with an outlet valve. And the low-pressure chamber may be filled through the neck portion with a fluid to be dispensed, after which an outlet valve is connected to the neck portion.