The invention relates to a pressure package system for providing a working pressure on a fluid included in a pressure package, the system being provided with a pressure package in which a product chamber is included for holding the fluid and in which a working pressure chamber is included for keeping a propellant at the working pressure, the system being further provided with a pressure controller and a high-pressure chamber connected with the pressure controller for keeping the propellant in supply at a relatively high pressure, the system being further arranged to supply the propellant from the high-pressure chamber to the working pressure chamber with the aid of the pressure controller on the basis of a reference pressure, for maintaining the working pressure in the working pressure chamber.
Such a pressure package system is known from WO 99/62791. In this known system, the pressure controller with the high-pressure chamber connected thereto, is included in the pressure package as a pressure control device. The pressure package is of elongate and substantially cylindrical design. The pressure control device is so designed as to align with the inner walls of the cylinder jacket. The pressure control device can move in an axial direction of the pressure package under the influence of pressure differences in the pressure package. In this known system, the pressure control device constitutes the separation between the product chamber and the working pressure chamber. It will be clear that a “high-pressure chamber connected with the pressure controller” is understood to mean a high-pressure chamber and a pressure controller between which a fluid communication can be effected for the purpose of controlling the working pressure with the aid of a propellant from the high-pressure chamber.
The reference pressure is slightly lower than a predetermined working pressure which it is desired to apply to the fluid operatively included in the product chamber. The working pressure is a pressure to be kept substantially constant. The known system works as follows. When the pressure in the product chamber starts to decrease to a new pressure in the product chamber because, for instance, a user has allowed fluid to flow from the pressure package, the pressure control device moves, as a result of the pressure difference between the working pressure chamber and the product chamber, in the direction of the product chamber. The volume of the working pressure chamber thereby increases and, as a result, the pressure in the working pressure chamber decreases. In that case, the reference pressure is higher than the new pressure in the working pressure chamber. The pressure control device is arranged in that case to allow propellant to flow from the high-pressure chamber to the working pressure chamber. As a result, the pressure in the working pressure chamber increases until in the working pressure chamber the pressure has become slightly higher than the reference pressure. The working pressure is then higher than the pressure in the product chamber again, and under the influence of the pressure difference between the product chamber and the working pressure chamber the pressure control device moves a little further in the direction of the product chamber. Since the volume of the product chamber thereby decreases slightly, the pressure in the product chamber will increase slightly. With the decrease of the volume of the product chamber, the volume of the working pressure chamber increases again. The pressure in the working pressure chamber is then a bit lower again than the reference pressure, and the pressure control device will again allow a bit of propellant to flow to the working pressure chamber, etc.
When the pressure prevailing in the working pressure chamber is slightly higher than the reference pressure, the supply of propellant from the high-pressure chamber to the working pressure chamber will block. The pressure control device will then assume such a position that the pressure in the working pressure chamber and the pressure in the product chamber are equal to each other. In that case, this pressure will be the intended working pressure which is slightly higher than the reference pressure.
In the known system, for separating the working pressure chamber and the product chamber, the pressure control device is provided with sealings which abut the inner wall of the cylindrically designed pressure package in such in way as to provide a gas-tight closure between the working pressure chamber and the product chamber. Further, the sealings abut the inner wall in such a way that the pressure control device is still movable in the axial direction of the pressure package under the influence of a pressure difference between the working pressure chamber and the product chamber. The known pressure control device is of relatively heavy design and due to inertia is slow to get moving.
The object of the invention is to provide a system with which the above-mentioned drawback of the known system is met. This object has been achieved with the system according to the invention, which is characterized in that the pressure package system is further provided with a wall which is designed to be movable relative to the pressure controller, a first side of the wall bounding the working pressure chamber at least partly and a second side of the wall, facing away from the working pressure chamber, bounding the product chamber at least partly. In many cases, this means that the wall is also movable relative to the pressure package. When the pressure in the product chamber has decreased because a user has allowed fluid to flow out of the pressure package, the wall moves in the direction of the product chamber. Since the wall is designed to be movable relative to the pressure controller, the wall can move without a movement of the pressure controller. The part moving under the influence of pressure differences can be made of very light design. The mass of the moving part, that is, the wall, hardly needs to require any additional pressure to get the movement going. The sensitivity of the wall to a pressure difference will be chiefly determined by frictional forces to be overcome. It is also possible for the wall to unfold, or, conversely, to fold up, under the influence of a pressure difference between the product chamber and the working pressure chamber, for reducing the volume of the product chamber. An advantage of the pressure package system according to the invention is that the wall can be made of relatively light design, resulting in a quick reaction of the wall to pressure differences between the product chamber and the working pressure chamber.
In a preferred embodiment, the wall comprises a plunger separating the working pressure chamber and the product chamber from each other. This makes it possible to design a very compact pressure package.
Preferably, the pressure package comprises a provision for opening the pressure package for the purpose of allowing the fluid operatively contained in the product chamber to flow out of it. This enhances the ease with which a user can allow the fluid to flow from the package.
In a particular embodiment, the first side of the wall bounds the working pressure chamber virtually completely. Further, in that case, preferably, the product chamber is furthermore partly bounded by the pressure package. This also enables a very compact design of the pressure package.
Thus, the working pressure chamber can comprise an inner space of a balloon in which, in use, the propellant can be received. When more propellant is admitted to the balloon, the balloon will increase in volume. The wall whose first side bounds the working pressure chamber is manufactured from elastic material in this case.
It is also possible, however, that the working pressure chamber comprises an inner space of a bellows in which, in use, the propellant can be received. The material from which the bellows is manufactured, at least in part, is of flexible design. In other words, in this case, the working pressure chamber is at least partly bounded by a flexible, movable wall.
In an alternative embodiment, the second side of the wall substantially completely bounds the product chamber. Further, in that case,. preferably, the working pressure chamber is furthermore partly bounded by inner walls of the pressure package. This also enables a very compact pressure package design.
Thus, the product chamber can comprise a bag with an opening, the opening linking up with the provision provided in the pressure package for opening the pressure package. The wall whose second side bounds the product chamber is manufactured from a flexible material in this case. Preferably, the bag is manufactured from a material having a low coefficient of friction.
In this alternative embodiment, however, it is also possible that the product chamber comprises a bellows with an opening, the opening linking up with the provision provided in the pressure package for opening the pressure package. In use, the fluid can be contained in the bellows. The material of which the bellows is at least partly manufactured is of flexible design in this case too. In other words, in this case, the product chamber is at least partly bounded by a flexible, movable wall.
In a substantially ready-to-use pressure package system according to the invention, a propellant is included in the high-pressure chamber. Preferably, the propellant comprises a relatively inert gas. This enhances safety. Moreover, a relatively inert gas is environment-friendly. As a consequence, less stringent requirements need to be imposed on the pressure package system than is the case with pressure package systems that are provided with a less safe or harmful propellant. Although the gas does not come into contact with the fluid operatively contained in the product chamber, it is a reassuring idea for many users, especially when the fluid involves a food product, that no harmful effects can occur upon any contact between the propellant and the fluid. In an advantageous embodiment, the relatively inert gas comprises a gas from the group consisting of nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The reason is that these gases are abundant and cheap.
Furthermore, in a particular embodiment, the system is made of two-part design, with a first part comprising the pressure package and a second part comprising the pressure controller with the high-pressure chamber. This enables a well-organized design. By making the pressure package of two-part design in the manner indicated, the manufacture of the system is simplified. Incidentally, it is possible for the parts to be integrally connected with each other. This provides the advantage that a system is involved that does not include any loose parts.
In an alternative embodiment, however, the parts can be designed as loose items and be connectable with each other for use. Optionally, the parts are detachably connectable with each other. This provides the advantage that a pressure controller can be used, for instance, for various different pressure packages in succession.
Furthermore, preferably, the pressure package is manufactured substantially from a plastic material. This renders the pressure package lighter compared with a metal pressure package. Moreover, a pressure package manufactured from a plastic material can be cheaper than a pressure package manufactured from metal.
The invention will presently be elucidated with reference to a drawing. In the drawing:
Equal reference numerals denote equal parts in the drawing.
The pressure package system is further provided with a wall 7 which in this example is included in the pressure package. The wall 7 shown in
The pressure package system 1 shown in
In use, the reference pressure in the reference pressure chamber 16 will be slightly lower than the working pressure in the working pressure chamber 4. This means that when the product chamber 3 is closed, the working pressure is exerted on the fluid contained in the product chamber 3. When the pressure package is opened and the fluid is allowed to flow out of the product chamber 3, the pressure in the product chamber 3 decreases. The working pressure still prevailing in the working pressure chamber 4 is then higher than the pressure in the product chamber. The balloon B then stretches in the direction of arrow A. The balloon will then take the shape of balloon B′. The volume of the working pressure chamber 4 is thereby enlarged and therefore the pressure in the working pressure chamber 4 will decrease. The space 21 is in a gas communication with the working pressure chamber 4 by way of the through-going recess 20. Accordingly, when the pressure in the working pressure chamber 4 decreases, the pressure in the space 21 will also decrease. As a result of a lowered pressure in space 21, the plunger 17 moves in the direction of arrow P, at least when the reference pressure in the reference pressure chamber 16 is higher than the pressure in the space 21. It should be noted that a high pressure of the gas in the, high-pressure chamber 6 as exerted on a subsurface 27 will hardly make a contribution to the position of the plunger, since this subsurface 27 is very small. As mentioned, when plunger 17 with the stem 24 moves in the direction of arrow P, the gas communication between the space 21 and the high-pressure chamber 6 is effected in the passage 23 via the annular recess 25. The situation is then as shown in
The operation of the pressure package system 1 shown in
In use, as stated, a propellant will be contained in the high-pressure chamber 6. Preferably, this propellant comprises a relatively inert gas. Thus, the relatively inert gas can comprise, for instance, a gas from the group consisting of nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
In the embodiments shown, the outer wall of the pressure package merges seamlessly with the outer wall of the high-pressure chamber. In other words, one continuous outer wall is involved here.
It is possible for the system to be made of two-part design. The first part can then comprise the pressure package and the second part can then comprise the pressure controller with the high-pressure chamber. As stated and shown in the exemplary embodiments, the first part and the second part can be integrally connected with each other.
However, the invention is not limited in any way to the exemplary embodiments shown. Thus, it is possible for the first and the second part to be designed as loose items and to be connectable with each other for use. Optionally, the first and second parts are detachably connectable with each other. This makes it possible for the first part and the second part to be mechanically connected with each other, for instance with the aid of a snap connection or a threaded connection, such that the pressure controller 5 aligns with the inlet opening 13 of the working pressure chamber 4.
Preferably, in use, the pressure controller is fixed with respect to the pressure package. In all examples, the pressure controller is shown as being fixed with respect to an inner wall of the high-pressure chamber. However, what is not excluded is that the pressure controller is incorporated in the pressure package so as to be movable. Although in the embodiments shown the pressure package is made of substantially cylinder-shaped design, it is very well possible for the pressure package to be designed in other shapes. Thus, a pressure package of box-like design may be advantageous.
Although the pressure package can be manufactured substantially from metal, it is very well possible for the pressure package to be manufactured substantially from plastic material. This is because the working pressure can be relatively low, since the working pressure on the fluid contained in the product chamber 3 can be kept constant. This is a major advantage over known systems where the volume of the product chamber 3 remains constant during the use of the fluid contained in the product chamber 3. In these known systems, in the initial phase, when hardly any fluid has been taken from the product chamber 3 yet, the working pressure must be very high. This is because in these known systems, it is to be ensured that still sufficient working pressure will be exerted on the remainder of fluid still present in an almost empty product chamber 3 after the fluid has been used up almost completely.
It will be clear that the provision 10 for opening the pressure package can comprise many types of openings. To be considered here are, for instance, a screw cap, a stopper, slide, etc. Thus, it will also be clear that the wall 7 in some embodiments can be designed to be movable, flexible, elastic or a combination thereof.
It is further noted that the pressure controller may also be designed differently than the pressure controller shown. Also eligible for use are pressure controllers where the reference pressure is obtained with a spring instead of with a gas. Thus, instead of a plunger, a membrane for instance provided with a stem can be used in the pressure controller . All such variants are understood to fall within the invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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1022456 | Jan 2003 | NL | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/IB04/00160 | 1/21/2004 | WO | 9/22/2005 |