EP0662431A2 - Refillable dispensing container, filling device and method of filling the dispensing containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The second (8) of the two valves (5,8) for filling the container (1) takes fluid and pressurised gas. The filler valve (8) is situated on the bottom (7) of the container. The container, such as can, is placed on a filler pipe (9) which is pref. in the form of a valve opened by the filler valve. The top dispenser valve is immovably fixed to the container. A surface part of the container acts as control for an on-off valve (15) for a filler appliance (2). A metering container (11) has a filler pipe (10) leading from the outlet or bottom to the filler pipe. A pressurised gas appliance (14-16) is connected to the dispenser container.

Description

The invention relates to a refillable dispensing container for liquid media, in particular an aerosol can, in which an upper dispensing valve is designed exclusively for dispensing the content, as well as a filling device for this and a method for filling the dispensing container.

Numerous liquid containers for liquids, in particular spray cans and aerosol cans, are intended for single use and are discarded after the content has been dispensed. In order to avoid waste, it has therefore become customary to design such containers for repeated use, ie to make them refillable. There are aerosol cans that can be refilled through their dispensing valve, especially if the liquid content contains propellant gas and the propellant gas is dissolved in the liquid. Such propellants should also be avoided for environmental reasons. It is also known to provide aerosol cans on the top with a screw cap into which the atomizer valve is incorporated. After removing the screw cap the liquid can be easily refilled so that pressurized gas can be applied after the can has been closed. For this purpose, cans are known which have a further valve for the compressed gas supply in the screw cap. Cans are also known which have a valve in the can base for injecting compressed gas, in particular compressed air or nitrogen.

In the commercial economy in particular, the filling process can be seen as a time-consuming process and thus as a cost factor. In addition, if the screw cap is contaminated, leaks can occur, which then result in at least one pressure loss, so that the contents of the can can no longer be expressed.

It has also already been proposed to provide aerosol cans on the bottom with two valves, one being designed for filling with liquid medium and a second one for filling with compressed gas.

The invention has for its object to provide a dispensing container for liquid media, which allows a quick and reliable refilling, and in particular a filling device for this purpose, which enables a quick and easy refilling of the dispensing container at the place of use.

The dispensing container according to the invention is characterized in that it has two valves and the second valve is designed to fill the container with both liquid medium and compressed gas. The filling valve which is independent of the dispensing valve of the container can be adapted to the requirements of the filling without having to perform any other function at the same time. Filling with just one valve enables quick filling and uncomplicated connection with the corresponding filling elements.

The filling valve is advantageously provided on the bottom of the container. It is expediently designed as a pressure valve, which is formed by placing the container on a filler neck of a filling device for dispensing liquid medium and compressed gas. The upper dispensing valve is expediently permanently connected to the dispensing container. Special screw caps and the like are not necessary. In addition to the dispensing valve and the filling valve, preferably no further valves or other openings are provided on the container, so that the container can be produced simply and inexpensively. The filling valve is expediently arranged centrally on the bottom of the container, which is advantageously drawn in concavely so that the valve does not protrude from the base of the container. The filling valve can be permanently connected to the dispensing container. However, it can also be advantageously connected to the container in an exchangeable manner, in order to enable the valve to be replaced if necessary.

A surface section of the can, in particular the filling valve, is particularly advantageously designed as an actuating element for a switching valve of a filling device. Such a switching valve, which can be designed to start the filling process and / or to reload the filling device, can then be actuated essentially simultaneously with the connection of the filling valve of the dispensing container to the filler neck of the filling device. This supports further automation and acceleration of the filling process.

The dispensing container particularly advantageously has a mechanical coding in the base area, in particular on the filling valve, which reflects the type of medium to be filled and / or the volume of the dispensing container. The mechanical coding can be correspondingly coded on the filling device, in particular on its filler neck and / or switching valve, correspond. It can thereby be achieved that only the correct dispensing containers are filled, that is to say those dispensing containers which are to be filled for filling with a specific medium which is emitted by the filling device. Furthermore, the coding can also ensure that only containers with the correct volume are filled. Finally, it can also be achieved by the coding that the filling of containers which are not aligned with the filling system, in particular those which cannot withstand the operating pressure, is excluded. The mechanical coding can be formed by projections and / or recesses according to the principle of a matrix and patrix or key and lock.

Depending on the type of liquid medium to be dispensed, the dispensing container can have a volume of from a few milliliters to a few liters. As a rule, the volume is between approximately 0.2 liters and one liter. The liquid media to be dispensed are advantageously those that are constantly required in commercial operations. These are media in particular that do not tend to clog the dispensing valve or dispensing nozzle even if the dispensing process is interrupted for a long time. This includes in particular lubricants, cleaning agents, care products and the like.

The invention also relates to a filling device for refilling the dispensing containers, in particular spray cans, with liquid medium and compressed gas. This filling device is characterized by a metering container designed as a pressure container for holding liquid medium, a liquid line which leads from the bottom or outlet of the metering container to a filling nozzle designed as a valve, which can be connected to a filling valve of the dispensing container, optionally a metering device for, in particular, discontinuous Subsequent delivery of (predetermined) quantities of liquid into the dosing container, and a pressurized gas device which can be connected to the dosing container for squeezing out quantities of liquid from the dosing container and pressing into the dispensing container and for building up a compressed gas cushion in the dispensing container.

In order to unintentionally fill a dispensing container which is intended to hold another liquid medium and / or has a size which is intended to hold a different volume of liquid than that to which the metering chamber is set, the dispensing container and the filling device can in particular have mechanical fits that are coordinated with one another and only enable a connection between the dispensing container and the filling device, in particular the filler neck and filling valve of the dispensing container, if the type and the amount of the liquid medium in the filling device and the dispensing container match. Fits to determine the container size or can size can sense the diameter of the container to be filled. Fits for recognizing the correct can contents can be provided in particular by appropriate shape and size design of the dispensing nozzle and filling valve.

In one embodiment of the invention, the filling device has a metering container or a metering chamber which is set up to dispense a predetermined amount of liquid medium. This predetermined amount, if necessary, i.e. transported into the dispensing container when the filling process is initiated.

In one embodiment of the invention, the metering device of the filling device is preferably designed as a volume metering device which delivers a predetermined volume of liquid into the metering container or holds it there. In this embodiment, the liquid volume corresponds to Dosing container usually the volume to be filled in the dispensing container on the liquid medium. The metering device can advantageously be adjustable or changeable to change the desired amount of liquid.

The valve of the filler neck of the filling device and the filling valve of the dispensing container are advantageously designed such that they fit into one another and actuate one another when the dispensing container and filling medium and filling volume are correctly assigned.

The valve of the filler neck is preferably a self-closing valve, which can be opened by pressing or fitting the filling valve of the dispensing container. The filling valve of the dispensing container can be designed in a corresponding manner. However, it is also possible to design the filling valve as a pressure-dependent valve which can be opened by fluid pressure when the two valves are brought into engagement with one another and automatically closes again when the pressure on the filling side of the valve decreases. The two valves are brought into engagement with one another simply by pressing them together. However, a coupling in the manner of a quick lock or bayonet lock is also possible, for example with a lock by a partial rotation.

The dosing container is designed as a pressure container and is designed for the gas pressure that is used when filling the dispensing container. This pressure is usually below 10 bar and usually around 6 bar. The pressurized gas device expediently has a pressurized gas supply line opening into the metering container, in particular in its upper region, which can be connected via a switching valve to a pressurized gas source, for example a pump or a compressor or pressurized container. The volume of the interior the dosing container is advantageously kept larger than the maximum volume of the amount of liquid to be metered. As a result, an additional volume is available in the dosing container, which is used to form a gas pressure cushion above the liquid level of the liquid quantity. The gas pressure cushion above the liquid level serves to drive the liquid from the metering container into the dispensing container without a significant or sudden drop in pressure taking place in the system. The amount of gas flowing in from the compressed gas supply line is sufficient to maintain the pressure in the system.

It is possible to maintain the operating pressure in the dosing container and to introduce the liquid volume intended for the next filling process into the dosing container under excess pressure. However, the gas-carrying region of the system or of the metering container can advantageously be connected to the surroundings via a pressure compensation valve, the valve being arranged in particular in the gas supply line. By opening the pressure compensation valve after the filling process has ended, the system can be brought to ambient pressure, so that an essentially pressure-free refilling of the dosing container is possible. The switching valve, and preferably also the pressure compensation valve, is preferably actuated by the container to be filled when it is placed and removed. Since the switching of the switching valve and also the actuation of the pressure compensation valve can be carried out alternatively, both valves can advantageously be combined to form a multi-way valve, in particular a three-way valve, which has a common actuator.

The metering device is expediently designed as a volume-dependent volume metering device which closes when a certain volume or fill level is reached, the closure preferably also under pressure reacts and remains closed until both the level falls below and the pressure in the dosing tank is reduced. The corresponding amount of liquid for the subsequent filling process can then flow from a liquid storage container, the content of which is preferably at ambient pressure, essentially without applying pressure.

The special feature of the filling according to the invention is that liquid medium and compressed gas are filled in successively through the same valve. The filling is advantageously carried out without interruption. This can advantageously be achieved in that a desired volume of liquid is pressed in by the compressed gas and compressed gas builds up the required pressure cushion in the dispensing container.

The filling process according to the invention can be carried out and completed within a few seconds. The use of the dispensing container, especially aerosol cans, is not affected by the short filling time. For this reason, no other dispensing containers of the same content need to be kept in stock.

In one embodiment of the invention, the filling device is designed such that first a predetermined volume of liquid, which is preferably held in a predetermined amount in the dosing container, is pressed out of the dosing container by the compressed gas and metered into the dispensing container. The liquid volume is calculated in such a way that, after the predetermined liquid volume has been filled in, there is still enough space in the dispensing container to build up a sufficient gas cushion by the inflowing compressed gas. If the dispensing container is emptied improperly, ie if it is incorrectly held, essentially only pressurized gas is dispensed, so that residual or substantial quantities of liquid still remain are contained in the dispenser essentially unpressurized, then the gas cushion can be rebuilt by filling only with compressed gas. For this purpose, a separate compressed gas discharge valve can be provided on the filling device. It is also possible to apply pressurized gas directly to the discharge nozzle of the filling device via a pressurized gas line and an additional changeover valve.

In a preferred embodiment, the metering container is designed as a pneumatic metering pump. The liquid space and the gas space of the metering container are preferably separated from one another by a movable, at least temporarily sealing partition, in particular a piston, which changes the size of the air space and liquid space relative to one another. The partition wall can advantageously be moved by the gas pressure in the direction of the outlet or bottom of the metering container while reducing the liquid space and can preferably be reset by spring force. In particular, by adjusting the spring force, the dosing container can also be designed as a suction pump in order to draw in the amount of liquid from the storage container. In this embodiment, one is free in the arrangement of the storage container. It can then also be arranged below the metering container.

The dividing wall, in particular the piston, can be assigned a mechanical switching element which, when an end position is reached after the liquid volume has been squeezed out, opens a switching valve for the gas supply line for supplying compressed air to the dispensing container. The switching valve can be provided outside the metering container. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the switching valve is arranged in the metering container.

A check valve is preferably arranged in the pressure line or filling line between the metering container and the dispensing valve, which prevents liquid or gas from flowing back out of the line system when there is a relative negative pressure in the metering container. In a similar manner, a check valve is advantageously provided between the switching valve for the compressed gas and the discharge valve, which prevents liquid or gas from flowing back when the gas pressure line is relieved of pressure.

In one embodiment of the invention, the backflow of liquid or gas into the metering container and into the gas line is prevented by a non-return valve which is functionally arranged at the bottom or outlet of the metering container or a line piece leading away from it, before this branches, if necessary. In this embodiment, the metering container is designed so that compressed gas can flow through it. The partition or the piston can expediently also flow through here and be provided with a check valve acting in the direction of flow, which works as a switching valve for the compressed gas and is opened by the mechanical actuator upon reaching an end position after dispensing the liquid volume, so that the compressed gas through the Pressure line between metering container and dispensing valve can flow into the dispensing container.

In one embodiment of the invention, a gas ventilation line is provided which introduces the gas released during the gas pressure relief from the system into the storage container in order to knock off any entrained liquid droplets and mists in it and to condense vapors. As a result, the environmental impact can be kept low.

According to advantageous embodiments of the invention, all switching and regulating devices and valves are not electrical educated. The corresponding devices and valves can be operated pneumatically, hydraulically and / or mechanically. This eliminates the otherwise required explosion-proof design of the filling system.

In one embodiment, the refill line between the liquid storage container and the metering container is preferably guided through a removable lid into the storage container, so that the storage container, which can be a plastic canister, for example, can be exchanged without problems, without having to change the line connections. A gas return line and possibly further lines can also be passed through this cover into the storage container.

In order to prevent an undesired penetration of air into the system when the storage container is empty, in one embodiment a level-dependent shut-off valve is provided which reacts from the liquid level in the storage container. For this purpose, a level-dependent float valve designed as a shut-off valve can be arranged in the storage container, which closes the liquid line coming from the storage container when the liquid level drops below a predetermined level. In order to shut down the entire system when the storage container is empty, a main switch can be arranged in the compressed air supply line, which main switch can be actuated depending on the filling level of the liquid storage container and which shuts off compressed air that can be supplied to the system when the liquid level falls below a predetermined level. A float valve designed as a circuit diagram can be provided in the reservoir, which is connected to the main switch via pressure lines and opens when the liquid level drops below a predetermined level, so that a pressure pulse is emitted which closes the main switch. The shut-off valve for the liquid line and the switching valve for actuating the main switch can be integrated together in a float valve that performs both functions. This float valve can be removable with the lid, so that the liquid line and the main switch are each closed when the lid is removed.

In a preferred embodiment, the lid has a coding or fit which interacts with the container and which varies depending on the container volume and container content. This prevents incorrect storage containers from being connected accidentally with regard to size and / or content.

In another embodiment of the invention, the filling device is designed such that the discharge container is first filled with compressed gas up to a partial pressure, after which liquid is pressed into the discharge container until the predetermined maximum pressure is reached. In this case, volume is not metered, but pressure-dependent liquid metering. This embodiment of the filling device and filling method ensures that there is always a sufficient gas cushion in the dispensing container that is sufficient to dispense the amount of liquid present in the dispensing container when handled correctly.

For the pressure-dependent liquid metering, the filling device can be equipped with a second switching valve, which preferably works in a pressure-dependent manner. The switching valve preferably has two supply lines, namely a liquid supply line that comes from the metering container, a gas fill line that branches off from the gas-carrying area of the system, and a discharge line, namely a fill line that leads the respective medium to the filler neck. To the gas fill line to keep a lower pressure level during the filling process than the other gas supply systems, a pressure regulator or pressure reducer is preferably provided in the branch or in the gas filling line, which ensures the desired lower pressure level. The pressure-dependent control of the second switching valve can be carried out with the aid of the pressure difference between the gas pressure in the gas filling line and the liquid or gas pressure in the filling line leading from the switching valve to the filling nozzle, with the path for preferably being at a relatively high pressure in the gas filling line the filling with compressed gas is open and the path for filling with liquid is preferably open when the pressure is equalized. The switch position for filling the liquid with pressure equalization can be achieved by a mechanical preload that acts on the switching element.

Fig. 1

eine Ausführungsform der Erfindung für eine volumendosierte Befüllung von Ausgabebehältern,

Fig. 2

eine Ausführunsgform der Erfindung für eine druckabhängige Flüssigkeitsbefüllung eines Ausgabebehälters,

Fig. 3

eine Ausführungsform der Erfindung mit mechanischer Codierung zwischen Ausgabebehälter und Befüllgerät,

Fig. 4

eine Ausführungsform der Erfindung für eine volumendosierte Befüllung von Ausgabebehältern mit einer Trennwand zwischen Flüssigkeitsraum und Gasraum im als Pumpe ausgebildeten Dosierbehälter, und

Fig. 5

eine Abwandlung und Erweiterung der Ausführungsform nach Fig. 4.

Further features of the invention result from the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the subclaims and the drawing. Here, the individual features can be implemented individually or in groups in one embodiment of the invention. Here show:

Fig. 1

one embodiment of the invention for a volume-metered filling of dispensing containers,

Fig. 2

an embodiment of the invention for a pressure-dependent liquid filling of a dispensing container,

Fig. 3

one embodiment of the invention with mechanical coding between the dispensing container and the filling device,

Fig. 4

an embodiment of the invention for a volume-metered filling of dispensing containers with a partition between the liquid space and gas space in the metering container designed as a pump, and

Fig. 5

a modification and extension of the embodiment of FIG. 4th

1 shows a refillable can 1 in connection with a filling device 2. The can 1 consists essentially of metal, in particular aluminum, and is designed as a pressure can for dispensing liquid contents, in particular by spraying. It has a cylindrical casing 3 and is permanently connected at its top 4 to a dispensed valve 5 which can be actuated by depressing a spray head 6. The can base 7 is formed in one piece with the jacket 3 and is drawn in concavely. In the center of the can bottom, a spring-loaded filling valve 8 is screwed into the bottom wall in a sealing manner and can be opened mechanically and / or by fluid pressure from below. The part of the filling valve 8 protruding on the can bottom 7 does not extend to the lower edge of the can bottom, so that the footprint of the can 1 is not impaired by the valve 8.

The filling device 2 has a filler neck 9 designed as a discharge valve, which functions as a check valve and whose shape corresponds to the shape of the valve 8 of the can 1, so that when the can is placed on the filler neck 9, the valves on both sides are opened, with mutual sealing of the External connection. The filling nozzle 9 is connected to a liquid pressure line 10 which leads to the bottom of a metering pressure container 11 for the liquid medium to be refilled. This dosing 11 is with a preferably adjustable refill device 12 working as a volume metering device, via which the container 11 can be filled with the volume of liquid medium intended for refilling from a reservoir 13 or canister located above it. The refill-metering device 12 is designed as a level-dependent switch and closes itself automatically when the metering container is filled with the predetermined volume of liquid, in particular after pressurized gas has been applied to the metering container.

The dosing container 11 is closed on all sides and connected in the upper region to a gas feed line 14 through which the compressed gas can be introduced via the free surface of the liquid medium, which only takes up about a third of the volume of the dosing container. The line 14 is connected via a three-way valve 15 to a compressed gas supply line 16 which can be connected to a pressure pump, either the pressure pump and / or the compressed gas supply line 16 being provided with a pressure regulator (not shown) and / or with a pressure relief valve to keep the gas pressure in line 16 essentially costly or to limit it upwards. A usable maximum pressure in the entire system is, for example, approximately 6 bar, to which can 1 is also designed as the operating pressure.

The multi-way valve 15 is designed as a mechanical switching valve and can be actuated by a pushbutton 17, which can be depressed by placing the can 1 on the filler neck 9 and thereby connecting the compressed gas line 14 to the compressed gas supply line 16. When the can is lifted off, this connection is disconnected again and, at the same time, the gas supply line 14 is connected to a ventilation outlet 18, ie opened to the outside, by moving the three-way valve 15.

With free passage from the compressed gas supply line 16 to the gas supply line 14 through the opened valve 15, a gas cushion is built up in the metering container above the predetermined liquid volume, for example with a pressure of 6 bar. When the valves 8 and 9 are open at the same time, the pressure gas cushion in the metering container 11 presses the predetermined liquid volume out of it and through line 10 from below through the valves 9 and 8 into the can 1, and gas then flows in again until the same pressure in the can prevails as in the compressed gas supply line 16, ie for example 6 bar. The can 1 is then filled to a predetermined height 19 with the liquid medium and above it is a pressure gas cushion which serves to expel the liquid medium.

By removing the can 1 from the filler neck 9, the filling valves 8 and 9 are closed. At the same time, the three-way valve 15 is changed over by relieving the pressure on the pushbutton 17, so that the gas supply line 14 is separated from the gas supply line 16 and connected to the ventilation opening 18. As a result, the gas pressure in the gas supply line 14 and in the metering container 11 decreases to ambient pressure, so that the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid column 20 of the liquid supply in the canister 13 arranged above the metering container 11 comes into effect, a float valve 21 of the volume metering device 12 opens and again the predetermined volume of liquid can flow into the metering container 11. A new refill process can then be initiated by placing another can 1 on the filler neck 9 by actuating the pushbutton 17.

The pushbutton 17, whose direction of operation runs parallel to that of the valves 8 and 9, is designed or adjusted so that it responds earlier when the can is placed on than the valves 8 and 9 and later when the can is removed than this. The result of this is that the gas pressure in the metering container 11 is built up before the valves 8 and 9 open and that it is only removed again when the valves 8 and 9 are closed again after the can has been removed.

The refill device 12 can be designed in a simple manner in that a refill line 22 leading from the canister 13 into the metering container 11 extends into the metering container and at least the lower end 23 of the refill line 22 is adjustable in height. The valve 21 at the lower end 23 of the refill line 22 is designed such that it responds to the rising liquid level in the metering container and closes when the liquid level reaches the lower end 23 of the refill line 22.

The refill line 22 is also provided with a mechanical shut-off valve 24 which is provided for the permanent closure of the refill line 22, for example when the filling device 2 is dismantled or for cleaning purposes.

The embodiment according to FIG. 2 works on a similar principle as the embodiment according to FIG. 1, ie both the liquid and the compressed gas are conveyed into the dispensing container through a single valve. For this reason, comparable parts are also provided with corresponding reference symbols. An essential difference is, however, that the liquid and then the pressurized gas are not first metered into the dispensing container 1, as in the embodiment according to FIG. 1, but that, conversely, first the pressurized gas and then the liquid are metered into the dispenser. The aerosol can 1 ′ provided as a dispensing container is of the same design as in the embodiment according to FIG. 1. It is therefore only shown in part. The filler neck 9 ', the pressure line 10', the metering container 11 ', the Refill device 12 ', the reservoir 13', the compressed gas line 14 ', the mechanical reusable valve 15', the pressurized gas supply line 16 ', the pushbutton 17' of the reusable valve 15 ', the vent line 18', the float valve 21 ', the refill line 22 'and the mechanical shut-off valve 24' are designed accordingly, but are shown in a schematic illustration. The metering container 11 'can have a larger volume, in particular a liquid volume, since, as already mentioned, the liquid is not dispensed from the metering container in this embodiment, but rather is dispensed under pressure. Therefore, the filling device of this embodiment can in principle also be used to fill dispensing containers 1 'of different sizes.

In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the pressure line leading from the metering container 11 'to the filler neck 9' is not continuous, but is interrupted by a pressure switch 25 in two sections 26 and 27, the section 26 between the metering container 11 'and the pressure switch 25 is located and the section 27 between the pressure switch 25 and the filler neck 9. From the gas supply line 14 leading from the reusable valve 15 'into the gas space of the metering container 11', a gas metering line 28 is branched off, which leads to the pressure switch 25 as a second input and in which one working as a pressure reducer Pressure regulator 29 is arranged.

In the pressure switch 25 there is a control slide 30, which connects the liquid line 26 or the gas metering line 28 to the line section 27 serving as the filling line. The control slide 30 is prestressed by a compression spring 31, specifically in the direction of a slide position in which the liquid line 26 is connected to the filling line 27 to the control slide 30. In addition, a control line 32 leads from the filling line 27, which acts in the same direction in the event of a fluid pressure therein, like the compression spring 31. On the other side of the control slide 30, a control line 33 engages which, in the event of a gas pressure therein, exerts a pushing force on the control slide 30 in the direction of a connection between the gas metering line 28 and the filling line 27. The pressure regulator 29 reduces the gas pressure prevailing in the gas metering line 28 and the control line 33 to a maximum of 3 bar, whereas the maximum gas pressure in the rest of the gas-carrying system is 6 bar.

The mechanical switch 15 'is shown in detail in this embodiment. It is also designed as a three-way valve and has one supply line, namely the compressed gas supply line 16 'and two discharge lines, namely the gas supply line 14' to the metering container and the vent line 18 '. The switching valve 15 'has a control slide 34 which is biased on one side with a compression spring 35 and in the direction of the switching position in which the gas-carrying system of the filling device is connected to the vent line 18', i.e. the gas-carrying system is depressurized. By depressing the pushbutton 17 'of the reusable valve 15' with the aid of the bottom edge of the pressure cell 1 'or by means of other parts of the box, the control slide 34 of the reusable valve 15' is pressed into the other switching position, so that the pressure gas supply line, which has a pressure of 6 bar 16 'is connected to the gas supply line 14'.

The filling process is initiated in this switch position. Pressurized gas flows through the pressurized gas supply line 16 'via the reusable valve 15' into the gas supply line 14 ', via the branch to the gas metering line 28 through the pressure regulator 29 and from there at a reduced pressure of only 3 bar into the control line 33 and through the control slide 30 in the switching position in which the gas metering line 28 is connected to the filling line 27 is. Gas can then pass through the opened valves 8 'and 9' into the can 1 'until a gas cushion of essentially 3 bar is built up there. Then there is essentially pressure equalization between the control lines 33 and 32, so that the compression spring 31 moves the control slide 30 into the other switching position, in which the liquid line 26 comes into communication with the filling line 27. Due to the gas pressure of 6 bar, which prevails above the liquid level in the metering chamber 11 ', the liquid medium from the metering container 11 is then metered into the can 1 in such an amount that the maximum pressure of 6 bar is reached in the can . The volume-related amount of liquid is dependent on the absorption capacity of can 1. If can 1 was empty before the filling process, then the gas cushion of 3 bar took up the entire volume of can 1 'and was compressed by the inflowing liquid essentially to half, so that the can was essentially half filled with liquid. However, if there was still residual liquid in the can, the gas cushion is correspondingly smaller after filling with compressed gas of 3 bar. After the pressure-dependent addition of the liquid to 6 bar, however, it is still large enough to dispense the entire amount of liquid.

If the can 1 'is lifted after the filling process, then the control slide 34 of the mechanical reusable valve 15' moves into the pressure relief position, so that the gas-carrying system in the filling device is depressurized or at ambient pressure. The area of the gas-carrying system which is at the lower pressure level, namely the gas metering line 28 and the control line 33, is provided with a device for maintaining the pressure, so that the residual pressure prevailing in these lines is sufficient to return the control slide 30 of the pressure switch valve 25 to the initial position , which is shown in Fig. 2 to push back.

The in the filling device 2 'of FIG. 2 has a pot-like receptacle 36, which serves to center the attached can 1'. This receptacle 36 is also suitable for sensing the can diameter. Cans with a larger diameter do not fit in the receptacle and therefore cannot be filled. In the case of cans with a smaller diameter, the outer, lower edge of the can does not reach the sensing element 17 'of the reusable valve 15', so that the filling process cannot be initiated. In this way, incorrect fillings can be avoided to a limited extent.

The embodiment according to FIG. 3 shows a coding in the form of mechanical fits between the can and the filling device, by means of which incorrect filling can be completely ruled out. The mechanical coding is preferably provided on the filling valve 8 ″ and filler neck 9 ″, since the shape of these two valves is largely free and the rest of the design of the can and the filling device need not be influenced thereby. In a preferred embodiment, the multi-way valve 15 ″ can be included in the mechanical coding, as shown in FIG. 3. This can further increase security. As shown in Fig. 3, the push button 17 "of the mechanical switching valve is arranged at such a small distance from the filler neck 9 that it can be operated neither from the outer lower can edge nor from the retracted can bottom 7". The filling valve 8 ″ of the can 1 ″ has a mechanical coding element for actuating the pushbutton 17 ″. As shown, this can be provided as a plate-shaped widening of the filling valve 8 'and can have a widened rim which widened in a pot-shaped manner from the can bottom 7'. The downward-facing edge 38 can on the one hand act as a pressure member Depress the pushbutton 17 ''. On the other hand, the widened edge 38 can also have holes or recesses 39, into which pins or projections 40, which are provided on the receptacle 36 'of the filling device, engage with a correct fit. By appropriate dimensioning of the size, radial distance and / or angular position of the pins or projections in the area of the filler neck and the corresponding holes or receptacles in the area of the filling valve, any variants for the mechanical coding are available. In addition, the receptacle 36 ″ serving as a centering aid can also detect the can diameter.

The embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 4 shows a development of the embodiment according to FIG. 1. Parts which correspond to one another are therefore provided with corresponding reference numerals. The dispenser designed as a spray can 1 '' has an inclined position during filling, which facilitates handling. Otherwise, the interaction between the filling valve 8 ″ and the filler neck 9 ″ and the actuation of the pushbutton 17 ″ of the multi-way valve 15 ″ is the same as in the embodiment according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. Also the coding to avoid an incorrect one Operation is trained accordingly.

In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the liquid space 41 is separated from the gas space 42 by a piston 43 designed as a partition. However, the movement of the piston in the discharge direction still takes place pneumatically through the gas cushion in the gas space 42, so that nothing has changed in the mode of operation with regard to the squeezing out of the liquid. Regarding the position of the metering container, however, one is free, so that the bottom 45 having the outlet 44 does not have to coincide with the lowest point. The piston 43 is provided with a piston rod 47 loaded with a mechanical spring 46, the The spring force is set so that the piston 43 can be retrieved when the pressure is released and at the same time a new volume of liquid can be sucked out of the reservoir 13 ″. The free end of the piston rod has a mechanical stop 48 which cooperates with an actuator 49 of a switching valve 50 when the piston 43 has reached the bottom 45, ie the liquid volume has been squeezed out. In the switching valve, the passage for compressed gas is then released from a gas supply line 51 coming from the reusable valve 15 ″ and passes through a further compressed gas line 52 via a check valve 53 into the filling line 54, which leads to the filler neck 9 ″.

If, after filling the dispensing container 1 ″ and after its removal, the compressed gas supply is closed and the pressure in the gas system is depressurized by actuating the multi-way valve 15, then the piston 43 is moved back due to the spring force of the spring 46, the actuator 49 being removed from the mechanical stop 48 Piston rod is released again, so that the pressure-loaded switching valve 50 returns to its starting position in which the compressed gas supply is interrupted. Due to the mechanical return movement of the piston 49, liquid medium is simultaneously sucked out of the storage container 13 ″ via a liquid suction line 55. As a result of the negative pressure, the liquid suction line can be introduced into the storage container 13 ″ from above via a cover 56. A check valve 57 enables easy suction of liquid from the storage container and prevents liquid from flowing back when the liquid volume is squeezed out into the dispensing container 1 ″. Conversely, a check valve 58 in the filling line 54 leading from the metering container 11 ″ to the filling nozzle 9 ″ prevents gas or liquid from being sucked out of the filling line as long as there is a relative negative pressure in the metering container 11 ″.

The gas outlet 18 ″ does not lead to the outside, but opens into the storage container 13 ″. For this purpose, a vent line 59 is provided between the reusable valve 15 ″ and the vent opening 18 ″, which is connected to the vent opening of the reusable valve 15.

At the bottom of the storage container 13 ″ there is a float valve 60 at the suction opening of the liquid suction line 55, which closes the suction opening of the liquid suction line 55 when the liquid level 61 in the storage container 13 ″ has fallen below a predetermined level, i.e. when the storage container 13 '' is empty. The float valve 60 also remains closed when the suction line is removed from the storage container 13 ″ after the cover has been removed and only opens again when it is immersed under the liquid level 61.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, the liquid volume and the compressed gas are metered in through the metering container 11 ″ ″, although a separation between the liquid chamber 41 and the gas chamber 42 is also provided in this by a piston 62. In order to allow compressed gas to pass through the metering container "", the piston 62 has a passage equipped with a check valve 63, the check valve being closed as long as there is still liquid in the metering container 11 "". At the bottom 64 of the metering chamber 11 '''there is a stop 65 which interacts with the check valve 63 as soon as the piston 62 has reached the bottom 64. The check valve 63 is opened mechanically by the stop, so that the compressed gas on the back of the piston 62 can pass through the piston into the liquid space of the metering container 11 '''which is reduced to a minimum. From this it flows through a pressure line 66, which runs from the bottom 64 of the metering container leads to the filler neck 9 '''. In the bottom 64 of the metering container 11 ''', a further check valve 67 is advantageously arranged at the base of the pressure line 66, which blocks in the opposite direction as the check valve 63 in the piston 62. The stop 65 is advantageously located on the check valve 67 and is an extension the pressure line 66 into the metering container 11 '''. As a result, the check valves 63 of the piston 64 of the base interact in a manner similar to a plug-in coupling, like the filling valve 8 '''and the filler neck 9''' between the filling device and the dispensing container 1 '''.

A return spring 68 is again provided for returning the piston 62, this time being arranged within the liquid space of the metering container 11 '' 'and supported on the container bottom 64 on the one hand and on the piston 62 on the other hand and the piston 62 in the starting position when the pressure in the gas supply line 69 is relieved pushes back. Before reaching the multi-way valve 15 '' ', a discharge valve 70 is provided from the gas pressure line 16' '', as is also the case in the embodiment according to FIG. 4, which serves for the exclusive discharge of compressed air. Each dispensing container 1 '' 'can be connected to the compressed air dispensing valve 79 regardless of its coding. The dispensing container 1 '' 'can be filled with compressed air via this valve when the gas pressure in the dispensing container 1' '' has dropped, for example as a result of incorrect operation, without the liquid having been dispensed. An exclusive filling of an empty dispensing container 1 '' 'with compressed air is also possible via this valve, if desired.

The liquid suction line 71 leading from the storage container 13 '''to the liquid space of the metering container 11''' in turn extends from the bottom of the storage container 13 '''through a cover 72 of the storage container and leads through Check valve 73 in the area of the container bottom 64 into the liquid space of the metering chamber 11 '''. The check valve 73 is opened like the check valve 57 of the embodiment according to FIG. 4 when the piston is returned to its starting position by the relatively reduced pressure by suction, so that liquid can flow from the storage container. If the piston 62 is pressurized with compressed gas on its rear side, then the check valve prevents the liquid to be metered from flowing back.

The suction end of the liquid suction line is in turn provided with a float valve 74 which prevents air from being sucked in from the emptied storage container 13 '''. The float valve 74 is at the same time designed as a switching valve which sits in a gas pressure line, the inlets and outlets 75 and 76 of which are also guided through the container lid 72 to the bottom of the storage container 13 '''. The access to the gas pressure line 75 is permanently connected to the pressure gas line 16 '''. The outlet 76 leads to a main switch 77 which is located in the compressed gas line 16 '''and blocks the compressed air supply into the compressed gas line 16''' when the float valve 74 in the reservoir 13 '''blocks the passage between inlet 75 and outlet 76 of the compressed gas line opens. With the help of this main switch 77, the further use of the filling device is prevented when the storage container 13 '''is empty. After removal of the last dispensing container 1 ''', the system is depressurized via the actuator 17''' and the reusable valve 15 ''', after which no further compressed gas can get into the system due to the main switch 77 not being switched off. The float valve 74 can have a float designed as a piston, which is guided in a vertical cylindrical sleeve and in its upper stop position opens the suction opening for the liquid suction line and at the same time closes the horizontal passage between the access line 75 and the outlet line 76. The liquid level comes 61 into the area of the float valve 74, then the float sinks, the suction opening of the liquid suction line 71 being closed and at the same time the passage between the lines 75 and 76 being opened. The lid 72 of the liquid storage container 13 '''is in turn preferably provided with a code which interacts with the opening of the container 13'', so that incorrect operation resulting from incorrect container contents and incorrect container size is excluded.

Claims (40)

Refillable dispensing container (1, 1 ', 1' ') for liquid media, in particular aerosol can, in which an upper dispensing valve (5) is designed exclusively for dispensing the contents of the container, characterized in that it has two valves (5 and 8, 8', 8 '') and the second valve (8, 8 ', 8' ') for filling the container (1, 1', 1 '') is designed both with liquid medium and with compressed gas. Dispensing container according to claim 1, characterized in that the filling valve (8, 8 ', 8' ') is designed for filling the container by placing the can on a filling nozzle (9, 9', 9 '') for supplying liquid medium and compressed gas The filler neck (9, 9 ', 9' ') is preferably designed as a valve which can be opened by the filling valve (8, 8', 8 '') of the container (1, 1 ', 1' '). Dispensing container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a surface section of the container (1), in particular the filling valve (8 ''), as an actuating element for a switching valve (15, 15 ', 15'') of a filling device (2, 2' , 2 '') is formed. Dispensing container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a mechanical coding (37) in the bottom area, in particular on the filling valve (8 ''), which indicates the type of medium to be filled and / or the volume of the dispensing container (1 '' ) reproduces, the mechanical coding preferably corresponding to a corresponding coding (17 '', 40) on the filling device (2 ''), in particular in the area of its filling nozzle (9 '') and / or a switching valve (15 ''). Dispensing container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, apart from the dispensing valve (5) and filling valve (8), it has no further openings or valves. Filling device for refilling dispensing containers, in particular spray cans, with liquid medium and compressed gas, in particular for filling an dispensing container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a metering container (11) for receiving and dispensing liquid medium, a filling line (10) leads from the outlet or bottom of the metering container (11) to a filler neck (9) designed as a valve, which can be connected to a filling valve (8) of the dispensing container (1), and a compressed gas device (14, 15.) that can be connected to the metering container (11) , 16) for squeezing out a quantity of liquid from the metering container and pressing the quantity of liquid into the dispensing container (1) and for building up a compressed gas cushion in the dispensing container (1). Filling device according to claim 6, characterized in that the compressed gas device (14, 15, 16) one in the Dosing container (11), preferably in its upper area, has an opening compressed gas supply line (14) which can be connected to a compressed gas source via a preferably mechanical switching valve (15). Filling device according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that a gas-carrying area of the metering container (11) can be connected to the surroundings via a pressure compensation valve (15, 18), the pressure compensation valve (15, 18) in particular in the gas supply line (14) sits. Filling device according to claim 8, characterized in that the switching and preferably also the pressure compensation valve (15) can be actuated by the container (1) to be filled, the metering container (11) in particular when the valve (15) is actuated by the container (1 ) can be pressurized with compressed gas. Filling device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the gas supply line (14) is equipped with a multi-way valve (15), in particular a three-way valve, which works both as a switching valve and as a pressure compensation valve. Filling device according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that a refill device (11) is provided for preferably filling the metering container as a function of the fill level. Filling device according to one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that a liquid storage container, preferably arranged above the dosing container (11) (13) is provided, which has a feed line to the metering container (11). Filling device according to one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the mechanical switching valve and / or the pressure compensation valve has a mechanical actuator (17, 17 ', 17' ') which passes through the bottom region of the dispensing container, in particular through additional parts (37, 38 ) of the filling valve can be actuated, in particular the mechanical switching element (17 '') is arranged so close to the filling nozzle that it cannot be detected either from the lower edge of the container or from a retracted container base (7 ''). Filling device according to one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the mechanical switching valve (15, 15 ') is biased towards a switching position with opening of the pressure compensation (18, 18'). Filling device according to one of claims 6 to 14, characterized in that the filling pressure and / or a predetermined volume of liquid to be metered in is adjustable. Filling device according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the refill device (12) and the metering chamber form a volume metering device and the amount of liquid is a predetermined liquid volume. Filling device according to one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that the refill device (12) is adjustable for changing the amount of liquid to be metered. Filling device according to one of claims 6 to 15, characterized in that it has a metering device (11 ', 25) for a pressure-dependent metering of the amount of liquid. Filling device according to one of claims 7 to 18, characterized in that from the gas-carrying area between the switching valve (15 ') and the metering chamber (11'), in particular from a gas supply line (14 ') leading to the metering chamber (11'), one at a lower maximum working pressure vertical gas filling line (28) is branched off, which can be connected to the filler neck (9 ') via a second switching valve (25), a pressure reducer (29), in particular a, preferably in the branch or in the branched gas filling line (28) pressure regulator acting as such is arranged. Filling device according to claim 19, characterized in that the second switching valve is designed as a pneumatically and / or hydraulically operated pressure switching valve (25). Filling device according to one of claims 19 or 20, characterized in that the second switching valve, the branched gas filling line (28) or a liquid line (26) coming from the metering chamber, alternatively with a filling line (27) leading to the filler neck (9 ') connects. Filling device according to one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the second switching valve (25) is mechanically biased in the direction of an opening of the liquid supply (26, 27). Filling device according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that control lines (33 and 32) lead from the gas filling line (28) and from the filling line (27) to actuate the switching valve (25). Filling device according to one of claims 6 to 17, characterized in that the metering container (11; 11 ''; 11 '' ') is designed as a pneumatic metering pump. Filling device according to one of claims 6 to 17 and 24, characterized in that the liquid space (41) and the gas space (42) of the metering container (11 ''; 11 '' ') by a movable, at least temporarily sealing partition (43; 62 ) in particular a piston, separated from one another, which changes the size of the liquid space (41) and gas space (42) relative to one another, the dosing container (11 ''; 11 '' ') preferably being formed by a cylinder serving as a dosing chamber, in which a piston (43; 62) is slidably mounted. Filling device according to claim 25, characterized in that the partition (43; 62) by gas pressure towards the outlet or bottom (45; 64) of the metering container (11 ''; 11 '' ') while reducing the liquid space (41) of the Dosing container (11 ''; 11 '' ') is movable and can preferably be reset by spring force. Filling device according to one of claims 24 to 26, characterized in that the dosing container (11 ''; 11 ''') is designed as a suction pump for drawing in the amount of liquid from the storage container (13'';13'''). Filling device according to one of claims 25 to 27, characterized in that the partition (43; 62) is assigned a switching element (48; 65) which, when reaching the outlet or bottom (45; 64), a switching valve (50; 63) for the supply line (54; 66) for supplying compressed gas into the dispensing container (1 ''; 1 '' '). Filling device according to one of claims 6 to 28, characterized in that a non-return valve (53; 67) is arranged in the gas line between the compressed gas switching valve (50; 63) and the dispensing valve (9 ''; 9 '' '), preferably with a check valve (67) of the liquid line is identical. Process for filling, in particular refilling, pressure vessels designed for dispensing liquid media, in particular aerosol cans, by filling with liquid medium through a valve different from the dispensing valve and applying a pressure gas which is essentially insoluble in the liquid medium, in particular with the aid of a Filling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid medium and the pressurized gas are pressed in one after the other by the same valve. A method according to claim 30, characterized in that the pressure gas is metered in depending on the pressure. A method according to claim 30 or 31, characterized in that the liquid medium and the pressurized gas are pressed in one after the other substantially without interrupting the filling process. Method according to one of claims 30 to 32, characterized in that the liquid medium is pressed into the container by the compressed gas. Method according to one of claims 30 to 33, characterized in that the filling process is ended when a predetermined working pressure of in particular 6 bar is reached, in particular ends automatically. Method according to one of claims 30 to 34, characterized in that the actuation of valves provided for the filling is initiated only by pressing, in particular placing the can on a filling nozzle. Method according to one of claims 30 to 35, characterized in that first the liquid medium and then the compressed gas are metered in through the filling valve. Method according to one of claims 30 to 36, characterized in that the liquid medium is added in a volume-metered manner and then the compressed gas serving as a pressure cushion preferably flows in by itself. Method according to one of claims 30 to 37, characterized in that the liquid medium and the pressurized gas are metered in from the same storage container. Method according to one of claims 30 to 35 and 38, characterized in that first the compressed gas and then the liquid medium is pressed in. Method according to one of claims 30 to 35, 38 and 39, characterized in that the liquid medium is pressure-dependent is metered in, the compressed gas preferably being pressed in until a partial pressure in the range from 1/3 to 2/3 of the maximum working pressure is reached and then the liquid medium is pressed in until the maximum working pressure is reached.

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