BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a closure bottom part for a water container of a water pipe, a closure with said closure bottom part, and a water pipe with said closure.
Water pipes, also called shisha or hookah, usually include a water container, called a vase, and a closure attached onto the water container. At the closure, a smoke tube is attached, at the upper end of which a tobacco bowl is arranged in which tobacco is burned or vaporized together with the hot coals. The smoke tube extends through the closure into the water container and opens into the water container with its lower end below the water level. Furthermore, connectivity is provided at the closure for at least one smoke hose opening into the air space provided in the water container between the tobacco bowl and the liquid level via a corresponding recess. When a user sucks on the smoke hose, a negative pressure is produced in the air space provided in the water container, tobacco smoke being sucked through the smoke tube by means of said negative pressure and being purified, cooled and/or humidified when passing through the liquid.
It is therefore of significant importance that the closure completely seals the water container, since otherwise secondary air is sucked in, and the water pipe does not have the necessary draw strength. The vases are often hand-blown and have manufacturing tolerances of up to 2 mm.
Known closures are, for example, formed as a type of positive screw closure (cf. FIGS. 1 and 3) or as a type of non-positive insertable closure (cf. FIGS. 2 and 4), and have connectivity openings for one or several smoke hoses.
One disadvantage of a positive screw closure is, however, that a closure bottom part is required at the vase. The closure bottom part is connected tightly with the vase, for example glued together. A direct positive engagement between the closure element and the vase is not possible, as the manufacturing tolerances of the vase are too large. Vases without a suitable closure bottom part cannot be used with the closure element. Generally, it may be said that such a closure is not economic and is proprietary.
Traditional insertable closures use a flexible gasket without positive engagement in order to create a sealing connection with the vase. The disadvantage here is that the assembly is instable. As a result, it is not possible, for example, to safely lift the entire water pipe at the smoke shaft, as the assembly may detach or be released. Establishing and releasing the connection is only possible using force. The required forced depends on the width of the gap between the closure element and the vase, and on the flexible gasket. The inner diameter of the vase varies by up to 2 mm due to manufacturing. Due to the thus resulting different widths of the gap, the force required in order to establish and release the connection varies considerably. This repels many consumers, as hot coals are used when the water pipe is operated, and the user desires a product that is stable and safe to use. Generally, such a closure may be said to be inconvenient and unsafe.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Based on this prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an adapter or a closure for a water pipe which is safe, easy and convenient to use and which may be used on water containers (or vases) having different connection dimensions.
According to the invention this object is attained by a closure bottom part (which is an adapter) according to the teaching of claim 1, and by a closure according to the teaching of claim 12. A water pipe according to the invention is defined in claim 14. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the sub-claims.
A closure bottom part according to the invention for a water container of a water pipe comprises a closure element extending in an axial direction having a continuous opening in the axial direction and is characterized in that the closure bottom part comprises a clamping means having a circumferential clamping element modifiable in the radial direction, which is configured to, in a state where it is affixed to the water container, generate a radially directed clamping force in order to clamp the closure bottom part between opposing walls of the water container or in order to clamp the water container between opposing walls of the closure bottom part. The clamping force may be based on a modification of the diameter of the clamping element in the radial direction.
Due to the radial clamping force the closure bottom part forms a stable assembly with the water container when the former is affixed to the water container, by reducing or suppressing displacement of the closure with respect to the water container, particularly displacement in the radial direction. In the affixed state, the closure bottom part and the water container are connected to one another by means of a non-positive engagement. Furthermore, a gap in the radial direction between the water container and the closure element may thus be sealed hermetically such that no secondary air is sucked through the gap into the vase when sucking at the smoke hose of the water pipe. The clamping force may furthermore be dimensioned such that it compensates a weight of the water container such that the water pipe may be lifted at the closure bottom part without the vase detaching from the closure bottom part, which simplifies use of the water pipe.
In one embodiment of the invention, the closure bottom part furthermore comprises a displacement element which is displaceable in the axial direction with respect to the clamping element and which is configured to modify the clamping element in the radial direction as a result of an axial displacement of the displacement element with respect to the closure element. The displacement element may, for example, comprise a first surface and may be configured to compress the clamping element between the first surface and a second surface, of the closure element, axially opposing thereto as a result of the axial displacement such that the diameter of the clamping element modifies in the radial direction.
By reversing the axial displacement in a simple manner, the clamping force may be generated and released again.
Here, when movement (e.g., displacement, rotation etc.) of a first element with respect to a second element is mentioned, a relative movement between the first element and the second element is meant. That is, the first element may move while the second element may not move or moves differently from the first element; or the second element may move while the first element does not move or moves differently from the second element.
In order to carry out the axial displacement, the closure bottom part may optionally comprise an operating element connected to the displacement element.
In another embodiment of the invention, the first surface of the displacement element and/or the second surface of the closure element is inclined with respect to a surface vertical to the axial direction.
The clamping element may thus be displaced in the radial direction as a result of the axial displacement of the displacement element. Due to the first and/or second surfaces being inclined, a radially oriented force component is generated that displaces the clamping element in the radial direction, for example, spreading it. This is another possibility for modifying the diameter of the clamping element in the radial direction in order to generate the clamping force, in addition to the compression in the axial direction.
Such an effect may also be generated by the clamping element being provided at a portion, of the displacement element, extending in the axial direction such that it overlaps with this portion in a radial projection and such that an outer diameter of the displacement element decreases within this portion in the direction of the closure element.
If the first and/or second surfaces is tilted, the force component acting in the axial direction may, where applicable, decrease such that the clamping element is compressed merely very slightly. Such a state is also a state in which the clamping element between the first surface and a second surface, of a closure element, opposing it in the axial direction is compressed as a result of the axial displacement of the displacement element.
In a further embodiment the closure element has a cylindrical portion with a thread and the displacement element comprises a cylindrical portion with a corresponding mating thread, which are configured such that the displacement element and the closure element are displaceable with respect to one another as a result of a rotation motion in the axial direction. In one embodiment the displacement element comprises, for example, an internal thread and the cylindrical portion of the closure element comprises a corresponding external thread. In another embodiment the displacement element comprises, for example, an external thread and the cylindrical portion of the closure element comprises a corresponding internal thread.
The axial displacement may be effectuated advantageously with such thread means. The axial displacement corresponds to a translatory component of a spiral-shaped motion.
In one embodiment of a closure bottom part provided with such a thread means, the displacement element is configured to be in frictional contact with a wall of the water container in a state where said displacement element is affixed to the water container such that, when the displacement element is rotated, a corotation of the displacement element is decreased or suppressed due to the friction. In order to facilitate such frictional contact, an area of the displacement element in contact with the wall of the water container may include a material that increases friction with respect to the wall of the water container or be coated with such a material.
When the closure element rotates, the closure element thus rotates relative to the displacement element such that the displacement element is displaced with respect to the closure element in the axial direction.
In another embodiment of a closure bottom part provided with such a thread means the clamping element is configured to be in frictional contact, in a state where it is affixed to the water container, with a wall of the water container such that, when the displacement element is rotated, corotation of the clamping element is decreased or suppressed due to the friction. Furthermore, the clamping element and the displacement element are in frictional contact with one another. Furthermore, the closure bottom part may comprise a friction-reducing element or a friction-reducing coating which is arranged in the axial direction between the clamping element and the second surface of the closure element and which is configured such that, when the closure element is rotated, a corotation of the clamping element is decreased or suppressed.
A corotation of the displacement element when the closure element rotates is thus prevented or suppressed. That is, when the closure element rotates, the closure element rotates relative to the displacement element, with the effect that the displacement element is displaced with respect to the closure element in the axial direction.
In another embodiment of the invention the closure bottom part comprises a valve system for supplying compressed air to the clamping element and is configured such that a supply of compressed air effectuates the modification of the diameter of the clamping element, for example because a pressure within the clamping element is increased or decreased. The clamping force may therefore be set by means of the compressed air supplied. A displacement element is therefore not necessary in such an embodiment.
In another embodiment the clamping element includes an elastic element, for example a spring, which is configured to effectuate a radial modification of the clamping element, and a ventilation means for reducing a pressure prevailing in the clamping element. For example, the spring presses an outer wall of the clamping element radially outward and thus generates a clamping force in a state where it is affixed to the water container. It is counteracted by a pressure reduction in the clamping element effectuated by means of the ventilation means. The clamping force may thus be set by controlling the pressure in the clamping element. In this embodiment a displacement element may also be dispensed with.
In another embodiment, the closure bottom part, at its end opposite of the clamping means in the axial direction, i.e., at its upper end, comprises a connection means for connecting an closure upper part.
A closure according to the invention comprises a closure bottom part according to the invention, at the upper end of which, i.e., at the end opposite the clamping means in the axial direction, an closure upper part is affixed which comprises a second closure element, a continuous opening for a smoke tube, at least one connectivity opening for at least one smoke hose, and at least one continuous first recess for an air-permeable connection between the water container and the connectivity opening.
In an embodiment of the closure, the second closure element has an essentially cylindrical portion, and the first closure element has an essentially cylindrical portion, which are plugged into one another and configured such that an axial displacement of the first closure element with respect to the second closure element is prevented by a positive engagement while a rotatability by 360° of the first closure element with respect to the second closure element is maintained. The rotatability offers the advantage that handling becomes more variable without the stability of the closure being compromised.
In one embodiment the positive engagement is achieved by the cylindrical portion of the first closure element and/or the cylindrical portion of the second closure element comprising a circumferential recess in which an axial blocking element, for example, an O-ring, is fitted.
In another embodiment of the closure, the closure bottom part according to the invention is formed integrally with the closure upper part such that the closure element includes the at least one for at least one smoke hose and the at least one continuous first recess for the air-permeable connection between the water container and the connectivity opening.
According to the invention a water pipe is also provided that comprises a water container and a closure according to the invention which is affixed thereto according to one of the embodiments described above.
In an embodiment of the water pipe, the water container comprises a recess for accommodating the clamping element. It may annularly surround the water container and is usually located along the inner walls of the water container in an embodiment in which the closure element is clamped between opposing walls of the water container and is situated along the outer walls of the water container in an embodiment in which the water container is clamped between opposing walls of the closure element. A positive engagement between the closure and the water container is thus also possible in addition to the non-positive engagement described above. Seal tightness and stability of the water pipe may thus be further increased.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further features and advantages of the present embodiment will be apparent from the following drawings, comparative examples, and exemplary embodiments used to explain the invention in more detail as an example without limiting the invention thereto.
They show:
FIG. 1 a schematic illustration, not true to scale, of the general structure of a water pipe with a closure including two closure elements according to the prior art;
FIG. 2 a schematic illustration, not true to scale, of the general structure of a water pipe with a closure including a single closure element according to the prior art;
FIG. 3 a first comparative example configured as a closure according to the prior art with two closure elements and an optional valve arrangement as a type of non-return valve;
FIG. 4 a second comparative example configured as a closure according to the prior art with one closure element and an optional valve arrangement as a type of non-return valve;
FIG. 5a a first exemplary embodiment of a closure according to the invention for a water container of a water pipe with a clamping element, having an modifiable diameter, in an open state, the closure bottom part being formed integrally with the closure upper part;
FIG. 5b the closure according to the invention of FIG. 5a in a clamped state;
FIGS. 6a to c a displacement element with differently formed friction elements;
FIG. 7 the closure according to the invention of FIG. 5a in the clamped state, the water container furthermore comprising a recess for accommodating the clamping element;
FIG. 8a a second exemplary embodiment of a closure according to the invention for a water container of a water pipe with a clamping element, having an modifiable diameter, in an open state, the closure bottom part being formed integrally with the closure upper part;
FIG. 8b the closure according to the invention of FIG. 8a in a clamped state;
FIG. 9 a third exemplary embodiment of a closure according to the invention for a water container of a water pipe with a clamping element, having an modifiable diameter, in a clamped state, the closure bottom part being formed integrally with the closure upper part;
FIG. 10 a fourth exemplary embodiment of a closure according to the invention for a water container of a water pipe with a clamping element, having an modifiable diameter, in a clamped state, the closure bottom part being formed integrally with the closure upper part;
FIG. 11 a fifth exemplary embodiment of a closure according to the invention for a water container of a water pipe with a pneumatic clamping element, having an modifiable diameter, in a clamped state, the closure bottom part being formed integrally with the closure upper part;
FIG. 12 a sixth exemplary embodiment of a closure according to the invention for a water container of a water pipe with a vacuum-operated clamping element, having an modifiable diameter, in a clamped state, the closure bottom part being formed integrally with the closure upper part;
FIG. 13a a seventh exemplary embodiment of a closure according to the invention for a water container of a water pipe with a clamping element, having an modifiable diameter, in a clamped state, the closure bottom part being formed integrally with the closure upper part;
FIG. 13b the closure according to the invention of FIG. 13a in an open state;
FIG. 14a an eighth exemplary embodiment of a closure according to the invention for a water container of a water pipe with a clamping element, having an modifiable diameter, in an open state, the closure bottom part and the closure upper part being formed separably from one another by means of thread means;
FIG. 14b the closure according to the invention of FIG. 14a without the closure upper part 42 in the clamped state;
FIG. 15 a ninth exemplary embodiment of a closure according to the invention for a water container of a water pipe with a clamping element, having an modifiable diameter, in an open state, the closure bottom part and the closure upper part being rotatable with respect to one another by 360°.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
A water pipe 99 shown in FIG. 1 according to the prior art comprises, firstly, a water container 05 filled with water 03 during operation such that an air space 07 remains above the liquid level 04. The water container 05 is closed by a closure 98′. A smoke tube 06 extends through the closure 98′ which, with its lower end, opens inside the water container 05 below the liquid level 04 in the water 03. In the area of its upper end the smoke tube 06 is provided with a tobacco bowl 17 in which hot coals and the tobacco to be vaporized are held. A smoke hose 20 is arranged at the closure 98′ in a recess 27 extending through the closure 98′ into the air space 07. When a user sucks on the smoke hose 20, a negative pressure is generated in the water container 05, more precisely in the air space 07, and, by means of said negative pressure, air enriched with the vaporized tobacco flavors is sucked through the smoke tube 06 and the water 03 and is supplied through the smoke hose 20 to the user in a cooled, purified, and humidified state. In order to generate this negative pressure, it is important that a gap between the water container and the closure be sealed hermetically such that no secondary air impeding the creation of negative pressure is sucked in.
The closure 98′ comprises a first closure element 01′ and a second closure element 02′ which may be plugged into one another or screwed to one another. The second closure element 02′ is permanently connected, for example glued, to the vase 05 in order to achieve the required seal tightness. The disadvantage here is that such a closure 98′ generally has to be individually adapted to the water container 05 due to the high manufacturing tolerances during manufacturing of the water container 05, which makes the manufacturing more expensive.
The water pipe 99 shown in FIG. 2 according to the prior art corresponds to that of FIG. 1 with the exception of the design of the closure 98′. The closure 98′ shown in FIG. 2 comprises a single closure element 01′ provided with a leaf seal 08. The disadvantage here is that the assembly of the closure 98′ and the water container 05 is typically instable and may shift or be displaced in a radial and/or axial direction.
FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of the two-part closure 98′ shown in FIG. 1 according to the prior art in detail. This comprises a first closure element 01′ and a second closure element 02′ and, in addition, an optional valve arrangement 09. The second closure element 02′ comprises an essentially cylindrical portion 14 which is provided with a flange-type ledge 15 at its lower end (i.e., the end facing the water container 05). The inner diameter of the flange-type ledge 15 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the neck 51 of the water container 05 such that the second closure element 02 may be put onto the neck 51 of the water container 05 and may, for example, be glued there. The neck 51 of the water container 05 is an upper area of the water container 05 with an essentially cylindrical shape.
The first closure element 01′ has an upper portion 30 and a cylindrical portion 12 that is also essentially cylindrical. The cylindrical portion 12 of the first closure element 01′ is shaped and dimensioned such that it may be inserted or screwed into the cylindrical portion 14 of the second closure element 02′ and may be withdrawn therefrom again.
The first closure element 01′ comprises a continuous opening 22. A two-part smoke tube 23 and 24 is attached inside this opening 22, with the upper smoke tube 23 being screwed into an upper area of the opening 22 and the lower smoke tube 24 being screwed into a lower area of the opening 22. As shown in FIG. 1 or 2, a tobacco bowl 17 is affixed to the upper end, not shown, of the upper smoke tube 23. The lower smoke tube 24 opens into the liquid 03 in the water container 05.
Two recesses 26, in which one connectivity opening 19 respectively is introduced for connecting a smoke hose 20 shown in FIG. 1 or 2, are respectively arranged in the upper portion 30 of the first closure element 01′ at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the smoke tube axis. The recesses 26 for accommodating the connectivity openings 19 open into essentially cylindrical recesses 27 open with respect to the inner air space 07.
Optional valve arrangements 09 comprising a valve body 10 and a valve seat 11 respectively are provided in the recesses 27. The connectivity openings 19 are screwed into the first closure element 01′. The screwing is releasable such that the valve body 10 may be selectively removed.
FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the closure 98′ shown in FIG. 2 according to the prior art in detail. It provides a single closure element 01′ comprising an essentially cylindrical portion 12, of which the outer diameter is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the neck 51 of the water container 05 such that it may be inserted into the neck 51 of the water container 05 and withdrawn therefrom again.
At its cylindrical portion 12, the closure element 01′ comprises a circumferential leaf seal 08, which is in scaling contact with a wall 13 in the neck 51 of the water container 05 such that a gap 56 between an outer wall 18 of the closure element 01 and an inner wall 13 of the neck portion 51 are sealed hermetically.
A top portion 30 of the closure element 01′ comprises at least one recess 26 into which a connectivity opening 19 is respectively introduced for connecting a smoke hose 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The at least one recess 26 for accommodating the at least one smoke hose 19 opens into at least one recess 27 which is open to the lower end of the closure element 01 and opens into the air space 07.
The closure element 01′ furthermore comprises one or more optional recesses 52 that enable a connection of the air space 07 to the surrounding environment. At least one optional valve arrangement 55 comprising a valve body 53 and a valve seat 54, respectively, is provided in the at least one recess 52, respectively.
FIG. 5a shows a first exemplary embodiment of a closure 98 according to the invention for a water container 05 of a water pipe 99. In this embodiment, the closure bottom part 41 is formed integrally with the closure upper part 42. A similar embodiment in which the closure bottom part 41 is not formed integrally with the closure upper part 42, is shown in FIG. 14a.
As water containers 05 for water pipes 99 are typically rotationally symmetric with respect to a rotational axis A1 due to manufacturing, reference is made to such an axis in that a direction parallel to such a rotational axis A1 is referred to as an axial direction, and a direction vertical thereto radiating from the rotational axis A1 or extending toward it is referred to as a radial direction when describing the closure 98 according to the invention. However, the closures 98 according to the invention are not limited to the rotationally symmetric water container 05. This is expressed in the claims with the word “essentially”. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the axial direction is likewise a vertical direction, and a radial direction is a horizontal direction, without, however, being limited thereto.
The closure 98 shown in FIG. 5a comprises a closure element 01, extending in the axial direction, with a continuous opening 22 for a smoke tube 06, at least one connectivity opening 19 for at least one smoke hose 20, and at least one continuous first recess 27 for an air-permeable connection between the water container 05 and the connectivity opening 19. As described with respect to FIG. 3, a two-part smoke tube 23 and 24 may be attached inside this opening 22, where the upper smoke tube 23 may be screwed into an upper area of the opening 22 and the lower smoke tube 24 may be screwed into a lower area of the opening 22. As shown in FIG. 1 or 2, a tobacco bowl 17 may be affixed to the upper end, not shown, of the upper smoke tube 23. The lower smoke tube 24 extends into the water container 05 and may open into a liquid 03 inside the water container 05 during operation. In this respect the closure element 01 does not differ from the prior art and may be modified as known from the prior art. The closure element 01 of FIG. 5a (and also additional closure elements 01, 02 described in the following) may thus also comprise the valve arrangements 09, 55 described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, for example.
According to the invention, the closure 98 comprises, at the closure bottom part 41, a clamping means 97 comprising a circumferential clamping element 16 modifiable in the radial direction. Here the clamping element 16 is provided at a portion 12, of the closure element 01, extending in the axial direction such that it overlaps in a radial projection with this portion 12. As shown in FIG. 5a, such a clamping element 16 may be a sealing ring (O-ring), for example, which surrounds a portion 12, of the closure element 01, which may be introduced into the water container 05. This portion 12 which may be introduced into the water container 05 may be referred to as a lower portion, as it faces the water container 05, may be cylindrical, for example, and, like the clamping element 16, has a slightly smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of the neck 51 of the water container 05 such that it is possible to introduce it into the neck 51 of the water container 51. The closure element 01 shown in FIG. 5a is thus configured to be introduced at least partially into a neck area 51 of the water container 05. An upper area 30 of the closure element 01 (i.e., a portion of the closure upper part 42 which is further away in the axial direction from the water container 05 with respect to the lower portion) may have a larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the neck 51 of the water container 05 such that only the lower portion 12 of the closure element 01 may be introduced into the neck 51 of the water container 05.
At the closure bottom part 41, the closure 98 according to the invention shown in FIG. 5a furthermore has a displacement element 32 which is displaceable in the axial direction with respect to the closure element 01. The displacement element 32 is configured to modify the diameter of the clamping element 16 in the radial direction as a result of a displacement in the axial direction with respect to the closure element 01. The modification may be an enlargement of the diameter, as shown here. This may be effectuated by means of a compression of the clamping element 16 in the axial direction. To this end, the displacement element 32 has a first surface 80 in the axial direction, and the closure element 01 has a second surface 81 opposite the first surface 80 of the displacement element 32, between which the clamping element 16 is compressed as a result of an axial displacement of the displacement element 32 with respect to the closure element 01. As a result of such a compression, the clamping element 16 extends in the radial direction, particularly when it is made of an elastic material, and therefore increases its diameter in the radial direction. As shown in FIG. 5b, it thereby presses against inner walls 13 of the water container and thus clamps the closure element 01, which is surrounded by the clamping element 16, between opposing inner walls 13 of the water container 05. The clamping element 16 is thus configured to generate a clamping force for clamping the closure element 01 between opposing walls 13 of the water container 05 as a result of an axial compression. In such a state, the clamping element 16 is in a state where it is affixed to the water container 05. Such a state may be referred to as a clamped state. In contrast, FIG. 5a shows an open state, because the clamping element 51 is not clamped between opposing walls 13 of the water container 05.
In the clamped state or the state where it is affixed to the water container 05, the clamping element 16 hermetically seals a gap 56 in the radial direction between the water container 05 and the closure element 01 such that no secondary air is pulled in and the desired negative pressure is created in the water container 05 by sucking at the smoke hose 20.
The clamping force may be set such that it is larger than the weight of the water container 05 such that it is possible to safely lift the entire water pipe 99 at the closure 98 without the assembly releasing. Advantageously, the connection between the water container 05 and the closure 98 is reversible and may be released again by reversing the radial modification of the diameter of the clamping element 16, for example, by displacing the displacement element 32 into a direction opposite the compression direction. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the compression direction extends upward in the axial direction, and the direction opposite the compression direction extends downward in the axial direction, without, however, being limited thereto.
As shown in FIGS. 5a and b, the first surface 80 of the displacement element 32 may be inclined with respect to a surface vertical to the axial direction, for example, inclined to a wall 13 of the water container 05 such that, as a result of the displacement of the displacement element 32 in the axial direction, an modification of the clamping element 16 is effectuated in the radial direction. In the present embodiment, the first surface 80 of the displacement element 32 is inclined toward the inner wall 13 of the water container 05 such that an upward axial displacement of the displacement element 32 spreads the clamping element 16 such that its inner diameter is increased and that the clamping element 16 presses against the inner wall 13 of the water container 05. Similarly to the compression described above, an modification of the diameter of the clamping element 16 in the radial direction and thus of a clamping force clamping the closure 98 or the closure element 01 between the walls 13 of the water container 05 is caused as a result of an axial displacement. Alternatively or in addition, the second surface 81 of the closure element 01 may be inclined in such a way.
The closure element 1 shown in FIGS. 5a and b furthermore comprises a cylindrical portion 12 with a thread 39 (an external thread in this exemplary embodiment), and the displacement element 32 comprises a cylindrical portion 38 with a corresponding mating thread 39 (an internal thread in this exemplary embodiment), which are configured such that the displacement element 32 and the closure element 01 are displaceable with respect to one another in the axial direction as a result of a rotation motion with respect to one another. That is, the displacement described above of the displacement element 32 in the axial direction takes places as a result of a rotation of the displacement element 32 with respect to the closure element 01 around an axial rotational axis (A1). In this embodiment, the displacement element 32 may be a screw-nut, for example.
Affixing the closure 98 shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b (or of the closure bottom part 41) at a water container 98 may be effectuated by inserting a lower area of the closure 98, which includes the clamping element 16 and the displacement element 32, into the neck 51 of the water container 05 such that a portion of the displacement element 01, for example, an outer area thereof, comes into contact with an inner wall 13 of the water container 05 and is in frictional contact with it. Said portion prevents or decreases corotation of the displacement element 01 when the closure element 01 rotates around an essentially axial rotational axis (A1) with the result that the closure element 01 rotates with respect to the displacement element 32. This relative rotation causes a relative displacement between the displacement element 32 and the closure element 01 in the axial direction, and the clamping element 16 is compressed as described above if the corresponding rotational direction is provided.
In order to increase the frictional contact, the displacement element 32 (particularly the area of the displacement element 32 coming into contact with the wall 13 of the water container 05) may be made of a material increasing friction with respect to the material of the wall of the water container 05, for example made of nitrile rubber (NBR), or be coated with such a material. In such a case the displacement element 32 is advantageously formed with a flexible diameter, in order to be able to compensate the high tolerances of the glass. To this end, the displacement element 32 may comprise a friction element 70 that requires no noteworthy force to insert or pull off the closure 98 but generates sufficient radial friction. Such a friction element 70 may, for example, be formed in the shape of a circumferential NBR lip (FIG. 6a), a circumferential foam rubber (FIG. 6b) or an O-ring in a V-shaped groove (FIG. 6c). The friction element 70 does not have to seal.
The described corotation of the displacement element 32 may selectively also be prevented by the clamping element 16 and the displacement element 32 being in frictional contact with one another and the clamping element 16 coming into frictional contact with an inner wall 13 of the water container 05. Here it may be beneficial to additionally prevent friction between the clamping element 16 and the closure element 01, for example between the clamping element 16 and the second surface 81, of the closure element 01, opposite the first surface 80 of the displacement element 32 such that a corotation of the clamping element 16 with a rotation of the closure element 01 around an essentially axial rotational axis (A1) is prevented or decreased. This may, for example, be effectuated by introducing a friction-reducing element, e.g., a PTFE support ring (not shown), or a friction-reducing coating. Because the clamping element 16 is in frictional contact with the displacement element 32 and a frictional contact between the clamping element 16 and the closure element 01 is reduced, the displacement element 32 rotates with respect to the closure element 01 and a relative displacement between the displacement element 32 and the closure element 01 in the axial direction is caused, when rotating the closure element 01, when the clamping element 16 comes into in frictional contact with an inner wall 13 of the water container 05. The clamping element 16 may, for example, be made of NBR and may be a resilient scaling ring, for example.
In order to bring the clamping element 16 and/or the displacement element 32 into contact with the inner wall 13 of the water container 05, it may be necessary to incline the closure 98 slightly with respect to the axial direction at the start of the rotation motion after a lower area of the closure is introduced into the water container 05.
FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment where the closure 98 or the closure bottom part 41 of FIGS. 5a and b is used and which differs in that a recess 31, which is configured such that the clamping element 16 additionally engages positively with the recess 31 in the clamped state, is provided in the inner wall 13 of the water container 05. The recess 31 may be a circumferential recess 31.
The second exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 8a and b of a closure 98 or closure bottom part 41 according to the invention essentially corresponds in its structure and function to the exemplary embodiment described with reference to FIG. 5, and in order to prevent repetition, reference is made to the description given with reference to FIG. 5. As shown in FIGS. 8a, b, the closure bottom part 41 may be formed integrally with the closure upper part 42. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. It differs in that the closure element 01 has an internal thread instead of an external thread, and the clamping element 33 has an external thread instead of an internal thread. In addition, the clamping element 36 is provided at a portion 38, of the displacement element 33, extending in the axial direction such that it overlaps with this portion 38 in a radial projection.
The closure element 01 is furthermore provided such that it may not be introduced into the water container 05. Instead, an upper area of the displacement element 33 protrudes in a state where it is affixed to the water container 05 from the water container 05 and is affixed, movably in a spiral shape around a rotational axis A1, at a lower area of the closure element 01 by means of the thread means 39. However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the closure element 01 may, in a state affixed to the water container 05, also include an area projecting into the water container 05. The displacement element 33 may be a clamp sleeve, for example. As a result of a rotation of the closure element 01 around the rotational axis A1 with respect to the displacement element 33, the first surface 80 of the displacement element 33 approaches the second surface 81 of the closure element 01, and the clamping element 36 is compressed such that it modifies in the radial direction and generates a clamping force. FIG. 8a shows the closure 98 in an open state in which the clamping element is not compressed, and FIG. 8b shows the closure 98 in a clamped state in which the clamping element 36 is compressed.
The third exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9 of a closure 98 or closure bottom part 41 according to the invention essentially corresponds to the exemplary embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, and in order to prevent repetition, reference is made to the description given above. As shown in FIG. 9, the closure bottom part 41 may be formed integrally with the closure upper part 42. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. The clamping element 36 is provided at a portion 38, of the displacement element 34, extending in the axial direction such that it overlaps with this portion 38 in a radial projection. However, it differs in that the closure element 01 and the displacement element 34 are provided without the threads 39 described above. That is, the axial displacement of the displacement element 34 with respect to the closure element 01 in order to modify the diameter of the clamping element 36 in the radial direction is merely a translatory action, that is, it does not include a rotatory component. By means of an operating lever 35 (as an example of an operating element) affixed to an upper surface 30 of the closure element 01 and connected through the closure element 01 to the displacement element 34, the displacement element 34 may be displaced in the axial direction with respect to the closure element 01. In this embodiment, reducing friction between the inner wall 13 of the water container 05 and the displacement element 35 may be beneficial. Within the portion 38, extending in the axial direction, of the displacement element 34, with which the clamping element 36 overlaps in a radial projection, an outer diameter of the displacement element 34 reduces in a direction of the closure element 01 (that is, upward). In this way, a spreading of the clamping element 36 in the radial direction may be effectuated in addition to a compression during an axial displacement of the displacement element 34 with respect to the closure element 01, when the clamping element 36 transitions from an area with a smaller outer diameter to an area with a larger outer diameter during an axial displacement.
The fourth exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 10 of a closure 98 or closure bottom part 41 according to the invention essentially corresponds to the exemplary embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 7, and in order to prevent repetition, reference is made to the description given there. As shown in FIG. 10, the closure bottom part 41 may be formed integrally with the closure upper part 42. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. The clamping element 16 is provided at a portion 12, of the closure element 01, extending in the axial direction such that it overlaps in a radial projection with this portion 12. The displacement element 32 has an internal thread, and the closure element 01 has an external thread. The thread 39 extends along the axial direction. In a state where it is affixed to the water container 05, a radially extending portion of the displacement element 01 rests on the neck 51 of the water container 51, and a portion extending in the axial direction projects into the water container 05. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment described in FIG. 5, the first surface 80 of the displacement element 37 is oriented downward (i.e., in the direction of the bottom of the water container 05), and the second surface 81 of the closure element 01 opposite the first surface 80 is oriented upward (i.e., facing away from the bottom of the water container 05). In contrast to the exemplary embodiment described in FIG. 5, the first surface 80 is closer to the bottom of the water container 05 in the axial direction than the first surface 81. The portion of the displacement element 51 extending radially is arranged and dimensioned such that a user may hold the displacement element 01 from the outside (at the operating element 35) and thus prevent a corotation of the displacement element 37 with a rotation of the closure element 01. Frictional contact between the displacement element 37 and the wall 13 of the water container 05 in order to prevent the mutual rotation is therefore not necessary.
The fifth exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 11 of a closure 98 or closure bottom part 41 according to the invention differs from the embodiments described above in that no displacement element is provided. Instead, the radially oriented clamping force generated by the clamping element 61 for clamping the closure element 01 between opposing walls 13 of the water container 05 is based on supplied compressed air. For example, compressed air may be supplied to an interior of the clamping element 61 via a valve means 62, and as a result the clamping element expands and therefore modifies, particularly increases, its diameter in the radial direction. Apart from that, the explanations given with respect to the exemplary embodiments so far apply, and reference is made to them in order to avoid repetition. The clamping element 61 may, for example, be a diaphragm, which is impinged with compressed air. As in the embodiments above, the closure bottom part 41 may be provided integrally with the closure upper part 42, and the clamping element 61 is provided at a portion 12, of the closure element 01, extending in the axial direction such that it overlaps in a radial projection with this portion 12.
The sixth exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 12 of a closure 98 or closure bottom part 41 according to the invention essentially corresponds to that of FIG. 11, and reference is made to the descriptions given there. It differs in that the clamping element 61 includes an clastic element 64, for example a spring, which is configured to effectuate a radial modification of the clamping element 61, and a ventilation means 63 for reducing a pressure prevailing in a clamping element 61. For example, the elastic element 64 presses an outer wall of the clamping element 61 radially outward and thus generates a clamping force in a state where it is affixed to the water container 05. It is counteracted by a pressure reduction in the clamping element 61 effectuated by means of the ventilation means 63. The clamping force may be set by controlling the pressure in the clamping element 61. In this embodiment a displacement element may also be dispensed with.
The seventh exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 13a of a closure 98 or closure bottom part 41 according to the invention essentially corresponds to the previous exemplary embodiments, and in order to prevent repetition, reference is made to the description given there. The clamping element 16 is formed wedge-shaped or V-shaped in cross-section and is provided at a portion 12, of the closure element 01, extending in the axial direction such that it overlaps in a radial projection with this portion 12. The wedge point points downward in the axial direction. In other words, the clamping element 16 is configured such that its outer diameter increases in an axial direction from the bottom to the top. At the thinner part of the clamping element 16, the outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the neck 51 of the water container 05, and, at its thicker part, the outer diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the neck 51 of the water container 05. The clamping element 16 may thus be easily introduced into the water container 05 and then, when the outer diameter becomes larger than the inner diameter of the neck 51, generates a clamping effect that fixes the closure 98 or the closure bottom part 41 within the water container (see FIG. 13a). As a withdrawal, particularly in the case of a V-shaped clamping element 16, is rendered more difficult by a resulting hook effect, the closure 98 or the closure element 41 provides a displacement element 34, by means of which an outer diameter may be modified in the radial direction as a result of an axial displacement of the displacement element 34. An upward displacement effectuates a reduction of the outer diameter such that the clamping force is neutralized, and the closure 98 or the closure bottom part 41 may once again be removed from the water container (cf. FIG. 13b).
The eighth exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 14a of a closure 98 or closure bottom part 41 according to the invention essentially corresponds to the closure 98 or closure bottom part 41 described with respect to FIG. 5, and in order to prevent repetition, reference is made to the description given there. An open state is shown. The closure 98 differs in that the closure bottom part 41 is not formed integrally with the closure upper part 41. Instead, the closure upper part 42 and the closure bottom part 41 are separably connected to one another by means of a connection means 72. The closure bottom part 42 comprises the closure element 01 and the closure upper part 42 comprises a second closure element 02. The second closure element 02 includes the at least one connectivity opening 19 for at least one smoke hose 20 and the at least one continuous first recess 27 for the air-permeable connection between the water container 05 and the connectivity opening 19. The closure element 01 and the second closure element 02 are configured such that they may be plugged into one another and/or screwed to one another. For this purpose, the closure element 01 is provided with an essentially cylindrical portion 66 at its upper end (i.e., the end facing the second closure element 02), and the second closure element 02 is provided with an essentially cylindrical portion 67 at its lower end (i.e., the end facing the closure element 01). The outer diameter of the essentially cylindrical portion 67 of the second closure element 02 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 66 of the closure element 01 such that they may be plugged into one another. Furthermore, a thread means 71 with mating threads is provided at the essentially cylindrical portions 66, 67 such that the closure element 01 may be screwed to the second closure element 02. The cylindrical portion 66 of the closure element 01 has an internal thread, and the cylindrical portion 67 of the second closure element 02 has an external thread. A bayonet mount, for example, may also be used instead of the thread means 71.
In FIG. 14b, the closure bottom part 41 is shown without an closure upper part 42 in a clamped state.
The ninth exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 15 of a closure 98 or closure bottom part 41 according to the invention essentially corresponds to the exemplary embodiment described with respect to FIG. 14, and in order to prevent repetition, reference is made to the description given there. It merely differs in terms of the connection means 72. Said connection means is configured such that the closure element 01 and the second closure element 02 are arbitrarily rotatable with respect to one another. Instead of a thread means 71, at the essentially cylindrical portion 66 of the closure element 01 and/or at the essentially cylindrical portion 67 of the second closure element 02, a circumferential recess (or notch) 68 is provided, in which a blocking element 69, for example an O-ring, a snap ring, a grub screw or a pin is provided, configured such that an axial displacement of the closure element 01 with respect to the second closure element 02 is prevented by means of positive engagement, while a rotatability of the closure element 01 with respect to the closure element 02 around a rotational axis in the axial direction is maintained.
Several modifications are possible with respect to the exemplary embodiments described.
In the embodiments described above, the closure element 01 is clamped between opposing inner walls 13 of the water container 05. However, the invention is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the neck 51 of the water container 05 may also be clamped between two opposing walls of the closure element 01. In such a case, the clamping element is configured to generate a clamping force which is directed radially inward toward an outer wall of the neck 51 of the water container 05. In such a case, the clamping element typically has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the neck 51 of the water container 05 and the modification of the diameter of the clamping element is directed radially inward. That is, the modification in the radial direction may correspond to a decrease of the inner diameter of the clamping element.
In the closures 98 shown in FIGS. 5 to 13, the closure bottom part 41 is formed integrally with the closure upper part 42. However, the embodiments are not limited thereto, and the closure bottom part 41 may, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, be provided separately from the closure upper part 42. In addition, the closure bottom part 41 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 may alternatively also be provided with a clamping means 97 described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 13.
Patent Application
20240277041
