PRESSURE REGULATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ITS MANUFACTURING

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a pressure regulating device designed for arrangement in a beverage container, and an automatable manufacturing method for it. US3352456A discloses such a pressure regulating device.

[0002] It is known from the prior art to pressurize the interior of a beverage container to dispense beverages, for which carbon dioxide (CO2) is usually supplied from a capsule (or cartridge) via a control valve. Pressure regulating devices exist for this purpose, designed to be installed inside the beverage container. They comprise a capsule coupled to a control valve.

[0003] WO 2022 / 198293 A1 describes such a pressure regulating device for installation in a beverage container, wherein the pressure regulating device comprises a CO₂ capsule and a control valve coupled on one side to a capsule outlet of the capsule and on the other side to an activation button projecting from an outer surface of the beverage container and which can be engaged by a pivoting handle. The capsule is arranged in a capsule housing, which is sealed by means of two sealing rings and connected to a valve housing of the control valve by a bayonet-type closure. The activation button is connected to a piston that is axially displaceable within a valve chamber of the control valve. Adjoining this valve chamber, opposite the piston, is a passage in the valve housing leading to a pressure chamber in which a hollow needle housing with a piercing tip facing the capsule outlet of the capsule is arranged.Inside the hollow needle housing are a needle spring and a valve pin supported by it. The tapered upper end of the valve pin extends into the passage to the valve chamber, blocking the passage when the needle spring is extended. To open the valve, the piston compresses the needle spring, pushing the valve pin downwards and thus releasing the opening to the valve chamber. This allows CO₂ to flow from the capsule through the hollow needle and the passage into the valve chamber, and from there through outlet openings into the beverage container.

[0004] The control behavior and sealing performance of such pressure regulating devices often fail to meet the requirements for the desired functionality. Furthermore, their design only allows for small-scale production and is not suitable for mass production or fully automated assembly.

[0005] Based on this state of the art, the object of the present invention is to provide a pressure regulating device with improved control behavior and improved sealing, which is also suitable for mass production.

[0006] This problem is solved by a pressure regulating device having the features of claim 1.

[0007] The further task of automatable manufacturing of such a pressure regulating device is solved by the method with the features of independent claim 15.

[0008] Preferred embodiments are described in the respective dependent claims.

[0009] According to a first embodiment, a pressure regulating device according to the invention, designed and configured for installation in a beverage container, comprises a control valve and a capsule arranged in a capsule housing that engages in a sealing manner with a valve housing of the control valve. The valve housing defines a valve chamber and a pressure chamber, which is connected to the valve chamber via a passage, the valve chamber having at least one outlet opening of the control valve. The control valve further comprises a hollow needle for coupling with a capsule outlet of the capsule, providing a connection between an interior of the capsule and the pressure chamber, in which a spring-loaded valve pin is arranged that closes the passage in a closed position and opens it in an open position.The control valve has an actuating element that is axially movable within the valve chamber. A first end of the actuating element is configured for coupling with the valve stem, and a second end of the actuating element extends through a housing cover connected to the valve housing. According to the invention, the actuating element is a diaphragm plunger that penetrates a diaphragm and is detachably coupled to it. The diaphragm separates the valve chamber from a vent chamber, which is bounded by the housing cover. A diaphragm spring is arranged around the diaphragm plunger in the vent chamber, bearing support at one end against the diaphragm and at the other end against the housing cover.

[0010] In contrast to a piston arranged in the valve chamber, the diaphragm with diaphragm tappet used according to the invention is characterized by minimal friction losses, improved sealing and good control behavior in low pressure ranges.

[0011] Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the pressure regulating device according to the invention, the diaphragm plunger can have a diaphragm collar arranged on a side of the diaphragm facing away from the diaphragm spring. The diaphragm is not rigidly connected to the diaphragm plunger, but rests detachably on the diaphragm collar of the diaphragm plunger.

[0012] The diaphragm against the diaphragm plunger thus acts as a kind of pressure relief valve, opening at an overpressure level determined by the strength of the diaphragm spring. If overpressure exists in the valve chamber due to leaks, the diaphragm, along with the diaphragm plunger, is first pushed upwards until the plunger reaches a stop against the housing lid. Then, at a pressure defined by the diaphragm spring, it lifts off the diaphragm collar on the plunger, allowing the overpressure to escape from the valve chamber to the environment outside the beverage container through at least one vent hole in the housing lid. The liquid in the beverage container remains unaffected. The through-hole in the housing lid, through which the diaphragm plunger extends, can advantageously be used as the vent hole.

[0013] For secure retention and uniform deformation of the diaphragm under load, a central diaphragm opening, through which the diaphragm plunger extends, can be limited by an opening ridge according to a further embodiment of the pressure regulating device according to the invention. A sleeve section molded onto the opening ridge extends axially into the diaphragm spring and is arranged between the diaphragm collar and a limiting shoulder of the diaphragm plunger. The limiting shoulder is dimensioned, or the distance to the diaphragm collar is dimensioned, such that the diaphragm can be lifted from the diaphragm collar in the event of overpressure in the valve chamber, thus opening a fluid connection between the valve chamber and the vent chamber.

[0014] According to a further embodiment of the pressure regulating device according to the invention, the upper stop of the diaphragm plunger on the housing cover can be provided by having a middle plunger section extending through the vent chamber, an upper plunger section extending through the housing cover, and a stop collar arranged between the middle plunger section and the upper plunger section. The housing cover has a sleeve section through which the diaphragm plunger extends. A guide opening in which the stop collar is axially guided is provided by the sleeve section or adjoins the sleeve section and provides an axial stop for the stop collar of the diaphragm plunger.The sleeve section can project from the inner wall of the housing cover into the vent chamber or be designed as a cylindrical bore in a thickened wall section of the housing cover. The diameter of the guide opening in the sleeve section is larger than the diameter of the through-bore, which can connect to the guide opening as a vent bore. This creates an annular shoulder around the vent bore in the sleeve section, providing an axial stop for the stop collar of the diaphragm plunger, which is guided axially within the sleeve section. A further development of the pressure diaphragm unit according to the invention provides that at least one channel structure is formed on the annular shoulder of the sleeve section and / or on the stop collar of the diaphragm plunger. This channel structure provides a connection between the guide opening and the vent bore when the stop collar rests against the annular shoulder of the sleeve section.

[0015] The upper plunger section thus corresponds to the second end of the actuating element, which extends through the housing cover and is provided for detachable connection with a fastening element outside the housing cover in order to hold the diaphragm plunger in an assembly position or the pressure regulating device in a delivery state in which the control valve is in the closed position.

[0016] At the other end, according to a further embodiment of the pressure regulating device according to the invention, the diaphragm plunger has a lower plunger section extending through the valve chamber, on which a pin section is formed for coupling with the valve pin. The diameter of this pin section is smaller than the diameter of the passage, and the pin section is longer than the passage, so that the pin section can project through the passage into the pressure chamber when the diaphragm plunger is at a lower stop. For this purpose, the lower plunger section, adjacent to the offset pin section, provides an axial stop for the diaphragm plunger against a wall of the valve chamber adjacent to the passage.

[0017] According to an alternative embodiment of the pressure regulating device according to the invention, the diaphragm plunger can have a lower plunger section extending from the diaphragm collar through the valve chamber and through an enlarged guide passage formed in the valve housing, which connects the valve chamber to the passage. Here, too, a pin section is formed on the lower plunger section for coupling with the valve pin. The pin section has a smaller diameter than the passage and is longer than the passage. However, in this embodiment, the diaphragm collar provides an axial stop for the diaphragm plunger against a wall section of the valve chamber adjacent to the guide passage.

[0018] In both cases, according to a further development of the pressure diaphragm unit according to the invention, at least one channel structure can be formed for gas passage at the axial stop of the lower plunger section or the diaphragm collar and / or at the wall adjacent to the passage or the extended guide passage, which provides a connection between the passage / guide passage and the valve chamber when the lower plunger section / diaphragm collar is in contact with the axial stop on the wall.

[0019] In yet another embodiment of the pressure regulating device according to the invention, the diaphragm is fastened between the valve housing and the housing cover by a clamping connection, wherein the valve housing and the housing cover preferably have a recessed diaphragm support surface and a clamping ring shoulder as mutually facing clamping surfaces. Advantageously, the circumferential fastening of the diaphragm and sealing of the valve chamber are thus achieved simultaneously and simply when the valve housing and housing cover are assembled.

[0020] In an alternative embodiment of the pressure regulating device according to the invention, the diaphragm can be designed as a multi-component injection-molded part with a circumferential retaining ring. The retaining ring is attached to the valve housing or the housing cover by a weld or adhesive bond, or between the valve housing and the housing cover by a clamping connection. When attached by a clamping connection, the retaining ring can have an end-face seal on at least one side to seal the valve housing and housing cover axially. An advantage of this is that the diaphragm cannot warp, i.e., deform undefinedly, during its intended movement, which can occur with direct circumferential clamping of the diaphragm and has a negative impact on the control behavior.

[0021] Furthermore, according to a further embodiment of the pressure regulating device according to the invention, a check valve is arranged in the at least one outlet opening, which opens in the direction out of the valve chamber and closes in the direction into the valve chamber, so that no liquid from the beverage container enters the valve chamber, thereby avoiding significant malfunctions.

[0022] To further improve safety, according to another embodiment of the pressure regulating device according to the invention, a connecting bore can be formed in the valve housing, which connects the valve chamber to a capsule housing chamber enclosed by the capsule housing around the capsule. In the event of leaks in the area of ​​the capsule connection, excess pressure from the capsule housing chamber can be vented through the connecting bore via the valve chamber and the diaphragm, as described herein.

[0023] To simplify automated manufacturing, according to a further embodiment of the pressure regulating device according to the invention, the valve housing has a plug-in section for engagement with the capsule housing, the outer diameter of which corresponds to an inner diameter of the capsule housing, so that the capsule housing can be easily plugged together with the valve housing. The sealing engagement of the capsule housing with the valve housing is provided by a material-bonded connection, preferably an adhesive or welded connection, in particular a laser or ultrasonic weld, or by a mechanical connection sealed by means of a gasket, e.g., by a clip, snap, or latch closure. Further sealing measures, such as the arrangement of sealing rings between the capsule housing and the valve housing, can thus be omitted.

[0024] To further simplify automated manufacturing, a sealed connector body containing the hollow needle is arranged as an adapter-like plug connector between the valve housing and the capsule in a further embodiment of the pressure regulating device according to the invention. The connector body has a through-opening for connecting the hollow needle and the pressure chamber in the valve housing.

[0025] According to a further embodiment of the pressure regulating device according to the invention, the connecting body has a connection opening in which an outlet section of the capsule is sealed. The hollow needle for piercing the capsule outlet projects into the connection opening, so that when the capsule housing and the capsule contained therein are assembled with the connecting body arranged on the valve housing, the capsule outlet is pierced and gas can enter the pressure chamber from the capsule. For this purpose, the capsule housing is dimensioned relative to the capsule such that, when the capsule housing is correctly positioned on the plug-in section of the valve housing, the capsule outlet section is completely and tightly sealed within the connection opening of the connecting body.Since the diaphragm plunger is in the assembly position and the control valve is in the closed position, the passage from the pressure chamber to the valve chamber is closed by the valve pin.

[0026] Alternatively, the capsule housing can be dimensioned relative to the capsule such that, when correctly positioned on the plug section of the valve housing, the capsule outlet is spaced away from the hollow needle and therefore not pierced. In this configuration, the capsule housing has an actuating section with a lifting element on the side facing away from the plug section. This element is designed to move the capsule within the housing towards the connection body until the capsule outlet section is fully and tightly sealed in the connection opening of the connection body and the hollow needle penetrates the capsule outlet. With this variant, the capsule can be pierced by the hollow needle only immediately before being inserted into the beverage container, for example, during the automatic feeding of the pressure regulating device at the bottling plant.The lifting element can, for example, engage with a corresponding recess in the actuating section, sealed by a bayonet fitting or thread, which travels a stroke during a rotational movement. For rapid actuation to pierce, the capsule can, for example, rotate 90° to achieve the necessary stroke, pressing its opening onto the piercing tip of the hollow needle or into the sealing seat of the connector body. Because the capsule is pierced during the manufacturing process of the pressure regulator, rather than during installation in the beverage container, a significantly longer service life of the pressure regulator is achieved.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, a radial seal, which rests circumferentially in the connection opening against the outlet section, and an axial seal surrounding the capsule outlet, which is arranged around the hollow needle in the connection opening, can be provided to seal the connection opening between the connection body and the outlet section.

[0028] Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the pressure regulating device according to the invention, the connecting body can have a sleeve section with a reduced diameter, which is at least partially received in the pressure chamber of the valve housing, with the connecting body bearing against the valve housing. In other words, the sleeve section is inserted into the pressure chamber, with the shoulder of the connecting body adjacent to the sleeve section bearing against the underside of the valve housing. In the pressure chamber, the sleeve section provides a bearing surface for a valve spring, so that the valve spring is supported against the sleeve section, with the valve pin projecting into the sleeve section. In its expanded state, the valve spring pushes the valve pin into the closed position, and in its compressed state, the valve pin is in the open position.

[0029] Further embodiments of the pressure regulating device according to the invention relate to the material and shape of the valve pin, which is preferably made of solid rubber or an elastomeric material, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer, thus eliminating the need for additional seals and significantly simplifying assembly. A comparatively robust design of the valve pin, which has a sealing head connected to a valve body via a neck section with a reduced diameter, also simplifies assembly and ensures reliable operation. The cylindrically shaped sealing head has a larger diameter than the passage and is designed to seal against a wall section adjacent to the passage, which is preferably shaped as an annular rim.In the closed position, the sealing head of the valve pin is pressed against the passage, and in the open position, the sealing head of the valve pin is spaced away from the passage.

[0030] The diameter of the valve body is matched to the diameter of the pressure chamber in such a way that an annular gap remains for gas passage. On the side facing away from the sealing head, a stepped pin section extends from the valve body, featuring a thickened centering section against which a valve spring rests, surrounding the pin section. Adjacent to the stepped pin section, the valve body provides an axial stop for the valve spring. With the connecting body in place, the valve spring thus extends between the stop on the valve body and the sleeve section into which the stepped pin section projects.

[0031] A method according to the invention for the automated production of a pressure regulating device according to the invention comprises, according to a first embodiment, the following steps: Providing the control valve and arranging the diaphragm plunger, which penetrates the diaphragm and is detachably coupled to it, against a restoring force of the diaphragm spring in an assembly position in which the diaphragm plunger is spaced at its first end from the valve pin and protrudes at its second end from the housing cover, and detachably securing the diaphragm plunger at its second end outside the housing cover in the assembly position, wherein the control valve is in the closed position in which the spring-loaded valve pin is pressed against the passage that connects the valve chamber and the pressure chamber in the valve housing, and arranging the capsule housing with the capsule contained therein on the control valve, wherein the capsule housing and the valve housing of the control valve are joined together and the diaphragm plunger remains in the assembly position and the control valve remains in the closed position.and sealingly connecting the capsule housing to the valve housing and maintaining the pressure regulating device in a delivery state, with the diaphragm plunger in the assembly position and the control valve in the closed position.

[0032] Advantageously, all steps of the inventive method can be carried out in a simple automated manner, so that the mass production of the inventive pressure control device is made possible.

[0033] According to a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, when the capsule housing and the valve housing are joined, a plug-in section of the valve housing is received in the capsule housing, with the sealing connection of the capsule housing being made at the plug-in section of the valve housing. The sealing connection of the capsule housing to the valve housing or to the plug-in section of the valve housing can be achieved by bonding or welding, in particular by laser welding, which allows for high welding speeds, or by ultrasonic welding, or mechanically by clipping, snapping, or locking together using a seal.

[0034] Furthermore, the method according to the invention, if the capsule housing is dimensioned with respect to the capsule such that, when the capsule housing is arranged on the plug-in section of the valve housing, the capsule outlet section is completely and sealingly received in the connection opening of the connecting body, can, according to a further embodiment, comprise the steps of arranging a connecting body sealingly on the valve housing before arranging the capsule housing with the capsule arranged therein on the control valve, wherein at least a part of a sleeve section of the connecting body with a reduced diameter is inserted into the pressure chamber. Then, when arranging the capsule housing with the capsule arranged therein on the control valve – i.e.,Simultaneously with the assembly of the capsule housing and the valve housing - a sealing insertion of the capsule with the outlet section, which has the capsule outlet, into a connection opening of the connection body, into which the hollow needle protrudes, and thus a penetration of the capsule outlet of the capsule through the hollow needle of the control valve, so that the pressure regulating device is ready for arrangement in a beverage container.

[0035] Alternatively, according to a further embodiment of the inventive method, if the capsule housing is dimensioned with respect to the capsule such that, when the capsule housing is arranged on the plug-in section of the valve housing, the capsule outlet is spaced apart from the hollow needle, and the capsule housing has an actuating section with a lifting element on a side facing away from the plug-in section, the steps may include that, prior to arranging the capsule housing with the capsule arranged therein on the control valve, a connecting body is arranged sealingly on the valve housing, wherein at least a part of a sleeve section of the connecting body with a reduced diameter is inserted into the pressure chamber.To complete the manufacture of the pressure regulating device by bringing it into the ready-to-use state, after the capsule housing with the capsule arranged therein has been positioned on the regulating valve, the capsule is moved in the capsule housing towards the connection body by actuating the lifting element until the capsule outlet section is sealed in the connection opening of the connection body and the capsule outlet is penetrated by the hollow needle.

[0036] According to further embodiments, the method according to the invention can comprise at least one of the following steps for providing the control valve: Assembling the housing cover and the valve housing, preferably attaching the diaphragm to the housing cover or the valve housing by means of the retaining ring, or clamping it between the housing cover and the valve housing; arranging a check valve in an outlet opening of the valve chamber; forming the valve housing with a connecting bore extending from the valve chamber parallel to the pressure chamber, in order to open into a capsule housing space enclosed between the capsule and the capsule housing when the capsule housing with the capsule is arranged therein on the control valve.

[0037] Further embodiments, as well as some of the advantages associated with these and other embodiments, will become clearer and more easily understood through the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying figures. Objects or parts thereof that are essentially the same or similar may be provided with the same reference numerals. The figures are merely a schematic representation of one embodiment of the invention.

[0038] This shows: Fig. 1 a longitudinally sectioned perspective view of the pressure regulating device according to an embodiment of the invention with the regulating valve in the open position, Fig. 2 a longitudinal sectional view of the pressure regulating device Fig. 1 in its delivered state with the control valve in the closed position, Fig. 3 a longitudinal sectional view of the pressure regulating device Fig. 1 in a first operating state with the control valve in the open position, Fig. 4 a longitudinal sectional view of the pressure regulating device Fig. 1 in a second operating state with the control valve in the closed position, Fig. 5 a longitudinal sectional view of the pressure regulating device Fig. 1 in a venting state with overpressure in the control valve, Fig. 6 an enlarged detail view of an upper section A1 of the control valve of the pressure regulating device Fig. 4 , Fig. 7 an enlarged detail view of a lower section A2 of the control valve of the pressure regulating device Fig. 4 , Fig. 8 a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a beverage container with a pressure regulating device according to the invention, Fig. 9 Longitudinal sectional views of two manufacturing steps of the pressure regulating device according to the invention, Fig. 10 a longitudinal sectional view of a pressure regulating device according to a further embodiment of the invention with the diaphragm plunger in the mounting position and the control valve in the closed position, Fig. 11 an enlarged detail view of an upper section of the control valve of the pressure regulating device Fig. 10 along section line AA, Fig. 12 a cross-sectional view of the control valve Fig. 11 along section line BB, Fig. 13 a) an enlarged detail view of a lower section of the control valve of the pressure regulating device Fig. 10 and b) an enlarged detail view of a lower section of the control valve of the pressure regulating device Fig. 10 along section line AA, Fig. 14 a longitudinal sectional view of the pressure regulating device Fig. 10 in a first operating state with the control valve in the open position, Fig. 15 a longitudinal sectional view of the pressure regulating device Fig. 10 in a second operating state with the control valve in the closed position, Fig. 16 a longitudinal sectional view of the pressure regulating device Fig. 10 in a venting state with overpressure in the control valve, Fig. 17a longitudinal sectional view of a non-operational pressure regulating device according to a further embodiment of the invention with actuating section, Fig. 18 another longitudinal section view of the non-operational pressure regulating device Fig. 17 along intersection line CC, Fig. 19 a longitudinal sectional view of the ready-to-use pressure regulating device Fig. 17 .

[0039] The present invention relates to a pressure control device with reliable operation with regard to control behavior and leak tightness. Furthermore, the design of the pressure control device according to the invention allows for mass production or fully automated manufacturing. Consequently, the present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the pressure control device. Accordingly, the invention also extends to a beverage container in which a pressure control device according to the invention is arranged, and to a container attachment designed for placement on a beverage container and comprising a pressure control device according to the invention.

[0040] A pressure regulating device 1 according to the invention, for which an exemplary embodiment is shown in Figs. 1 to 7 The illustration shows that it is intended for arrangement in a beverage container 100, as shown in Fig. 8This pressure regulating device 1 is schematically sketched. As shown in Fig. 1 The figure shows a control valve 20, a capsule 2, and a capsule housing 3. The capsule 2 is held in the capsule housing 3, which is connected to a valve housing 13 of the control valve 20 to keep the capsule 2 engaged with the control valve 20. For connection with the capsule housing 3, the valve housing 13 has a stepped-off plug section 13.8 (see figure). Fig. 7) onto which the cylindrical capsule housing 3 is attached. For sealing and fastening, the capsule housing 3 and the valve housing 13 are joined together along the plug-in section 13.8, for example by a weld 15, so that further sealing measures such as the arrangement of sealing rings can be dispensed with. Due to the high welding speed and low thermal distortion, laser welding can preferably be used to join the capsule housing 3 to the valve housing 13.

[0041] Further examples of pressure regulating devices 1 according to the invention are in Figs. 10 to 16 as well as Figs. 17 to 19 illustrated. In the following, the invention will be explained primarily with reference to Figs. 1 to 7 described; to the examples from Figs. 10 to 16 as well as Figs. 17 to 19 In case of deviation from the with Figs. 1 to 7 The described example is carried out. Explanations regarding the features of the exemplary pressure regulating device 1 from Figs. 1 to 7 ,which correspond to the characteristics of the other exemplary pressure regulating devices 1 from Figs. 10 to 16 as well as Figs. 17 to 19 The following terms apply, but are not repeated.

[0042] For interaction with the capsule 2, the control valve 20 has a connection body 14 which is arranged to seal at the lower end of the valve body 13, while the upper end of the valve body 13 is connected to a housing cover 10. "Upper" and "lower" here refer both to the representation in the figures and to the arrangement of the pressure device 1 in a beverage container 100, as shown in Fig. 8 to be seen, set up in a user-friendly arrangement for tapping. Fig. 6 and 7 The enlarged sections A1 and A2 of the text in Fig. 4The control valve 20 shown is shown so that details in the upper section A1, which includes the connection of the valve body 13 with the housing cover 10, and in the lower section A2, which includes the connection of the valve body 13 with the terminal body 14, can be clearly seen.

[0043] In the pressure regulating device 1 according to the invention, not only is the connection between the valve housing 13 and the capsule housing 3 designed as a plug connection, but also the connection of the valve housing 13 with the housing cover 10 and the connection of the valve housing 13 with the connection body 14 are designed as plug connections, which enables automatic mass production of the pressure regulating device 1.

[0044] The valve housing 13 contains a valve chamber 13.0, which has an outlet opening 13.3 to discharge gas from the valve chamber 13.0 into the environment surrounding the pressure regulating device 1, i.e., when the device is properly installed in a beverage container 100, into the interior of the beverage container 100. To prevent the liquid F contained in the beverage container 100 from entering the valve chamber 13.0 and causing malfunctions, a one-way or check valve 12 is arranged in the outlet opening 13.3. This valve allows only the flow of gas from the valve chamber 13.0 into the environment and blocks it in the opposite direction.

[0045] The valve housing 13 also includes a pressure chamber 13.2, which is connected to the valve chamber 13.0 via a reduced-diameter coaxial passage 13.1. An axially movable valve pin 6 is arranged in the pressure chamber 13.2 for opening and closing the passage 13.1. A valve spring 5 presses the valve pin 6 against the passage 13.1 and holds it in the closed position, as shown in Fig. 2 , 4 to 7 as can be seen. To transition to an open position, which in Fig. 3 As shown, the valve pin 6 is spaced from passage 13.1 against the restoring force of the valve spring 5, the valve pin 6 is actuated by a diaphragm tappet 8 which extends axially movably through the valve chamber 13.0 and through the housing cover 10.

[0046] The diaphragm plunger 8 is coupled to an elastically deformable diaphragm 11 made of an elastomer, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer, or silicone, which is clamped circumferentially between the valve housing 13 and the housing cover 10. Advantageously, the fastening of the diaphragm 11 is integrated into the plug connection between the valve housing 13 and the housing cover 10. In this way, the diaphragm 11 provides a seal between the valve housing 13 and the housing cover 10, or between the valve chamber 13.0 and a vent chamber 10.0, which the housing cover 10 defines with the diaphragm 11. In the illustrated example, the valve housing 13 has a plug section 13.5 with a reduced diameter at its upper end for connection with the housing cover 10. An internally recessed axial bearing surface 13.6 is formed on this plug section as a circumferential support for the diaphragm 11. The housing cover 10 has a circumferential section 10.7, which is formed complementarily to the offset plug-in section 13.5 of the valve housing 13, such that the plug-in section 13.5 and the gripping section 10.7 lie flush against each other when plugged together. To clamp the diaphragm 11, the housing cover 10 has a clamping ring shoulder 10.6 spaced radially from the gripping section 10.7, which is arranged opposite the axial annular surface 13.6 in the plugged-in state. The axial distance between the clamping ring shoulder 10.6 of the housing cover 10 and the axial annular surface 13.6 of the valve housing 13 is selected depending on the thickness of the diaphragm 11, so that the diaphragm 11 is clamped between the clamping ring shoulder 10.6 and the axial annular surface 13.6 when the housing cover 10 and valve housing 13 are plugged together. Alternatively, of course, a modified version may have a recessed axial bearing surface on the housing cover and a clamping ring shoulder on the valve housing.

[0047] The housing cover 10 further comprises a plug section 10.5, which is designed for sealing in an opening of the beverage container 100. A through-bore 10.4 extends through the plug section 10.5, connecting the vent chamber 10.0 to the environment outside the beverage container 100 and providing a venting bore 10.4. Furthermore, an upper plunger section 8.4 of the diaphragm plunger 8 extends through the through-bore 10.4 in the plug section 10.5 to the outside, in order to be connected to a fastening element outside the housing cover 10 in the installed position of the diaphragm plunger 8 or in the delivery state of the pressure regulating device 1. An example of a fastening element is an activation button 9, as shown in Fig. 2 and 8The second end of the diaphragm plunger 8 is detachably connected to it in the assembly position and can be removed by means of an engagement element 102 to activate the pressure regulating device 1 arranged in the beverage container 100. This can be, as shown in Fig. 8 The device shown is a handle 102 pivotally attached to a container attachment 101, with a hook designed to engage with the activation button 9. The container attachment 101, which is attached to the top of the beverage container 100, also includes a tap 103 with which the beverage F can be dispensed from the container 100.

[0048] In the venting chamber 10.0, a diaphragm spring 7 is arranged around a central plunger section 8.3 of the diaphragm plunger 8. The diaphragm spring 7 is supported at one end by the diaphragm 11 and at the other end by a spring assembly 10.2 in a sleeve section 10.1, which is formed on the housing cover 10 and projects coaxially into the venting chamber 10.0, relative to the diaphragm plunger 8. Unlike conventional piston technology, which is subject to friction losses, the use of the diaphragm 11, which results in no or only minimal friction losses, achieves good control characteristics even in low pressure ranges.

[0049] The sleeve section 10.1 of the housing cover 10 also serves for axial guidance and as an upper stop for the diaphragm plunger 8, which for this purpose has a stop collar 8.2 that separates the middle plunger section 8.3 from the upper plunger section 8.4. The upper stop provides a mounting position for the diaphragm plunger 8 in which a fastening element, such as the activation button 9, is attached to the upper end of the diaphragm plunger 8 to hold the diaphragm plunger 8 in the mounting position in the delivery state of the pressure regulating device 1. In this position, the diaphragm spring 7 is compressed and pre-tensioned. The guide opening 10.3, bounded by the sleeve section 10.1, is coaxially connected to the vent bore 10.4, the diameter of which is smaller than that of the guide opening 10.3. At the upper stop, shown in Fig. 2 ,The stop collar 8.2 abuts the annular shoulder of the housing cover 10 formed between the vent bore 10.4 and the guide opening 10.3. To provide a fluidic connection between the guide opening 10.3 and the vent bore 10.4 when the diaphragm plunger 8 is at its upper stop, channel structures can be formed in the stop collar 8.2 of the diaphragm plunger 8.

[0050] For coupling with the diaphragm 11, the diaphragm plunger 8 has a diaphragm flange 8.1 located on the side of the diaphragm 11 facing away from the diaphragm spring 7, i.e., in the valve chamber 13.0. The coupling between the diaphragm 11 and the diaphragm plunger 8 is designed to disengage when the pressure in the valve chamber 13.0 reaches or exceeds a predetermined pressure, so that the diaphragm 11, together with the diaphragm spring 7, functions as a kind of pressure relief valve. The predetermined pressure in the valve chamber 13.0, at which the diaphragm 11 disengages from the diaphragm plunger 8, can be defined by the spring force of the diaphragm spring 7. If the pressure in the valve chamber 13.0 increases, e.g., due to leaks in the valve 6 or the connecting body 14, the diaphragm 11, along with the diaphragm plunger 8, is forced upwards until the diaphragm plunger 8 reaches its upper limit. With a further increase in pressure, the membrane 11 then lifts off the membrane collar 8.1 of the diaphragm plunger 8 opens when the predetermined pressure is reached, as shown in . Fig. 5 This is shown so that gas from the valve chamber 13.0 can escape into the environment via the vent chamber 10.0. Therefore, the diaphragm 11 is not rigidly connected to the diaphragm plunger 8, but rests on the diaphragm collar 8.1 and against the circumference of the central plunger section 8.3.

[0051] The low friction losses achieved by using the diaphragm 11 are also advantageous in its function as a pressure relief valve compared to conventional piston technology. While the piston can also function as a pressure relief valve by being pushed upwards under overpressure until openings to the environment are released, this allows not only gas but also liquid to escape from the beverage container. In the pressure control device 1 according to the invention, this is prevented by the check valve 12 arranged in the outlet opening 13.3.

[0052] In the Fig. 3 and 4 In the illustrated operating states of the pressure regulating device 1, with the valve pin 6 in the open and closed positions, the pressure in the valve chamber 13.0 lies within a predetermined operating range. In this range, the diaphragm 11 is in close contact with the diaphragm plunger 8, separating the valve chamber 13.0 from the vent chamber 10.0. If the pressure in the beverage container 100 is lower than a preset, defined target pressure of the regulating valve 20, the diaphragm 11 is pressed into the valve chamber 13.0 by the diaphragm spring 7, and the diaphragm plunger 8, coupled to the diaphragm 11, is moved downwards to open the valve pin 6. ( Fig. 3 )to transfer gas from pressure chamber 13.2 via valve chamber 13.0 into beverage container 100. Once the container pressure reaches the preset, defined target pressure of the control valve 20 and thus pressure equalization, the diaphragm plunger 8 moves upwards with the diaphragm 11, so that the valve pin 6 is pressed against passage 13.1 by the valve spring 5 and the valve is in the closed position. ( Fig. 4 ) only when the target pressure is again undershot due to liquid being drawn from the beverage container 100 does the control valve 20 open again to supply more gas.

[0053] To actuate the valve pin 6 located in the pressure chamber 13.2, the diaphragm plunger 8 has a lower plunger section 8.5 extending through the valve chamber 13.0 and a pin section 8.6 at its lower end, the diameter of which is reduced. The pin section 8.6 already protrudes in the delivered state. ( Fig. 2 ), In which the diaphragm plunger 8 is located at its upper stop, it moves into passage 13.1 to assist in guiding the diaphragm plunger 8 after activation. The diameter of the pin section 8.6 is therefore smaller than that of passage 13.1, so that an annular gap remains between the wall of passage 13.1 and pin section 8.6 for gas passage when the valve is open. Starting from the upper stop in the initial state, pin section 8.6 moves within passage 13.1 between the closed position and the upper stop after activation of the pressure regulating device 1. ( Fig. 4 ), in which the pin section 8.6 rests against the valve pin 6 without removing it from passage 13.1, and the open position ( Fig. 3 ),The pin section 8.6 projects into the pressure chamber 13.2 and separates the valve pin 6 from the passage 13.1. The length of the pin section 8.6 is greater than the length of the passage 13.1. Thus, in the open position, the lower plunger section 8.5 of the diaphragm plunger 8, at its shoulder, contacts the pin section 8.6 on the wall 13.9 of the valve chamber 13.0, which surrounds the passage 13.1. To allow gas to pass from the passage 13.1 into the valve chamber 13.0, corresponding channel structures (not shown) are formed in this wall section 13.9 around the passage 13.1 and / or in the shoulder of the lower plunger section 8.5.

[0054] The improved sealing of the pressure regulating device 1 according to the invention is ensured not only by the advantageous use of the diaphragm 11, which is subject to minimal friction losses, but also by the use of the valve pin 6, which has a robust shape and is made of a solid rubber compound, preferably a thermoplastic elastomer. The valve pin 6 has a cylindrical sealing head 6.1, which is connected via a neck section 6.5 to a cylindrical valve body 6.2, from which a stepped pin section 6.3 extends. The valve spring 5 surrounds the pin section 6.3 and bears against the step towards the valve body 6.2 in order to press the valve pin 6 into the closed position against the valve passage 3.1. The pin section 6.3 also has a spherically thickened centering section 6.4 within the half adjacent to the valve body 6.2, against which the valve spring 5 bears. The diameter of the centering section 6.3 is...4 thus corresponds to the inner diameter of the valve spring 5 and lies between the diameter of the pin section 6.3 and that of the valve body 6.2.

[0055] The diameter of the valve body 6 and the diameter of the pressure chamber 13.2 are matched such that an annular gap exists between the wall of the pressure chamber 13.2 and the valve body 6.2 to allow gas passage. For a secure seal at the passage 13.1, the diameter of the sealing head 6.1, which is smaller than that of the valve body 6.2, is significantly larger than the diameter of the passage 13.1—in the illustrated example, approximately twice as large. Furthermore, the wall section in the pressure chamber 13.2 adjacent to the passage 13.1 is designed as an annular ridge 13.7. This valve design not only ensures a reliable seal, eliminating the need for additional sealing rings, but also considerably simplifies assembly.

[0056] The connecting body 14, located between the valve housing 13 and the capsule 2, also simplifies assembly. The hollow needle 4, which pierces the capsule outlet 2.1, is located on or within the connecting body 14. The connecting body 14 has a through-opening 14.1 that connects the hollow needle 4, or rather the through-bore 4.0 within it, to the pressure chamber 13.2 in the valve housing 13. The connecting body 14 defines a connection opening 14.3 into which the hollow needle 4 projects with its piercing tip. The connection opening 14.3 is dimensioned to receive an upper outlet section 2.2 of the capsule 2, which has the capsule outlet 2.1, and is chamfered at the open end to center the insertion of the outlet section 2.2 of the capsule 2. As is usual with gas pressure capsules, the capsule 2 has a cylindrical shape, which is rounded at one closed end and tapers at the other end to the outlet section 2.2 tapered. Before use in the pressure regulating device 1, the capsule outlet 2.1 of the capsule 2, which contains a gas suitable for contact with a beverage, such as carbon dioxide CO2 under pressure, is tightly sealed. For this purpose, the capsule outlet 2.1 has a membrane which is penetrated by the piercing tip of the hollow needle 4 when the pressure regulating device 1 is assembled.

[0057] On the side facing away from the connection opening 14.3, the connection body 14 has a sleeve section 14.2 with a reduced diameter for assembly with the valve housing 13. This sleeve section is designed to fit into the pressure chamber 13.2 of the valve housing. The valve spring 5 is supported by the sleeve section 14.2 within the pressure chamber 13.2, with the valve pin 6 projecting with its pin section 6.3 into the receiving space 14.0 defined by the sleeve section 14.2, which is connected to the through-opening 14.1. The diameter of the valve pin 6.3 and the diameter of the receiving space 14.0 are matched to each other such that an annular gap exists between them for gas passage.

[0058] The connecting body 14 rests with its shoulder against the underside of the valve housing 13 when the sleeve section 14.2 is received in the pressure chamber 13.2, the valve housing 13 having a groove for a seal 16 / 17 in the area of ​​the shoulder edge against the sleeve section 14.2. The seal 16 / 17 thus acts both radially around the circumference of the sleeve section 14.2 and axially at the shoulder of the connecting body 14.

[0059] To seal the outlet section 2.2 of the capsule 2 in the connecting body 14, a radial seal 16 is arranged in a circumferential groove in the connecting opening 14.3 and is positioned on the outlet section 2.2. An axial seal 17 is also provided, which is arranged in a groove surrounding the hollow needle 4 and surrounds the capsule outlet 2.1 at the end face of the outlet section 2.2.

[0060] In the event that leaks should nevertheless occur between the connection body 14 and the capsule 2 or the valve body 13, a connecting bore 13.4 is formed in the valve housing 13 parallel to the pressure chamber 13.2, connecting the valve chamber 13.0 with the capsule housing space 3.0 between the capsule 2 and the capsule housing 3. Through this connecting bore 13.4, the overpressure resulting from leaks can be safely vented to the environment via the diaphragm 11 through the valve chamber 13.0, as described above, without liquid escaping from the container 100 through the pressure regulating device 1. Optionally, a check valve 12' can also be arranged in the connecting bore 13.4, opening from the capsule housing space 3.0 into the valve chamber 13.0 and closing from the valve chamber 13.0 into the capsule housing space 3.0.

[0061] This design of the pressure regulating device 1 according to the invention advantageously allows mass production, since the plug connections between the components allow automation of the manufacturing steps.

[0062] The automatable manufacturing process includes, as in Fig. 9As shown, after the control valve 20 with the diaphragm plunger 8 is positioned in assembly position a), the capsule housing 3 with the capsule 2 contained therein is arranged on the control valve 20, whereby the capsule housing 3 is placed onto the plug-in section 13.8 of the valve housing 13 and simultaneously the capsule outlet 2.1 of the capsule 2 is penetrated by the hollow needle 4 of the control valve 20. In the next step b), the capsule housing 3 is joined to the plug-in section 13.8 of the valve housing 13 by means of a material bond, for example by laser or ultrasonic welding, whereby the pressure regulating device 1 is fully assembled and in its delivered state. For laser welding or ultrasonic welding, it is advantageous if the components to be joined, capsule housing 3 and valve housing 13, are made of the same material. For laser welding, the material of the upper or outer joining partner (here the capsule housing 3) is transparent / natural colored orThe material of the lower or inner joining partner (here the valve housing 13) is chosen to be laser beam transparent, while the material of the lower or inner joining partner (here the valve housing 13) is laser beam absorbing, e.g., black. A suitable material, especially at high pressures (e.g., 60 bar) in the valve housing 13, is, for example, polyoxymethylene (POM), a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer. However, other thermoplastic polymers or, depending on the application, other materials can also be used.

[0063] The provision of the control valve 20 includes arranging the diaphragm plunger 8 in the assembly position against the restoring force of the diaphragm spring 7 at the upper stop, as also in Fig. 2As can be seen, the first (lower) end of the diaphragm plunger 8 is spaced apart from the valve pin 6, and the second (upper) end, which protrudes from the housing cover 10, is detachably connected to the activation button 9 as a fastening element. This holds the diaphragm plunger 8 in the mounting position spaced apart from the valve pin 6, so that the control valve 20 is in the closed position, in which the spring-loaded valve pin 6 is pressed against the passage 13.1. For this purpose, the connecting body 14 is arranged sealingly on the plug section 13.8, with the sleeve section 14.2 being inserted from below into the pressure chamber 13.2, so that the valve spring 5 acting on the valve pin 6 is supported against the sleeve section 14.2. This means that, simultaneously with the insertion of the capsule housing 3 onto the plug-in section 13.8, the outlet section 2.2 of the capsule 2, which is located in the capsule housing 3, is sealed into the connection opening 14.3 of the connecting body 14 is inserted and the capsule outlet 2.1 is pierced by the hollow needle 4. The control valve 20 is in the closed position in the delivery state of the pressure regulating device 1, with the diaphragm plunger 8 in the assembly position.

[0064] Furthermore, the provision of the control valve 20 comprises joining the housing cover 10 and the valve housing 13, wherein the diaphragm 11 is clamped between the housing cover 10 and the valve housing 13 after the diaphragm spring 7 has been arranged around the diaphragm plunger 8 in the housing cover 10. Additionally, a check valve 12 can be arranged in the outlet opening 13.3 of the valve chamber 13.0 during the provision of the control valve 20. The valve housing 13 can also be designed with the connecting bore 13.4, which extends from the valve chamber 13.0 parallel to the pressure chamber 13.2, so that, when the capsule housing 3 with the capsule 2 arranged therein is attached to the control valve 20, it opens into the capsule housing space 3.0, which is enclosed between the capsule 2 and the capsule housing 3.

[0065] In the design of the pressure regulating device 1, a sensitive flow control can be easily achieved by appropriately selecting the flow-relevant cross-sections along the flow path from the hollow needle 4 to the valve chamber 13.0, such as the annular gap between the pin section 8.6 of the diaphragm plunger 8 and the passage 13.1 opening into the valve chamber 13.0, etc. The target pressure (or working or control pressure) in the valve chamber 13.0, to which the capsule pressure, which is, for example, 60 bar inside the capsule 2 upon delivery, is to be reduced and which is, for example, to be 1 bar, can be fixed via the diaphragm spring 7.

[0066] The fully assembled pressure regulating device 1 can then be placed in a beverage container 100 in its delivery state (see Fig. 8) arranged, wherein the control valve 20 remains in the closed position until the releasable fastening element that holds the diaphragm plunger 8 in the assembly position, here the activation button 9, is removed by a user, e.g. by means of the engagement element 102 pivotally attached to the container attachment 101.

[0067] If the pressure in valve chamber 13.0 or in beverage container 100 falls below the preset, defined setpoint pressure of the pressure regulating device 1 (due to dispensing beverage F from beverage container 100), the diaphragm spring 7 expands, deflecting the diaphragm 11 into valve chamber 13.0 and moving the diaphragm plunger 8 downwards. This action pushes the valve pin 6 away from passage 13.1 and opens the control valve 20. ( Fig. 3 ), so that pressurized gas (CO 2 ) from capsule 2 is pumped through valve chamber 13.0 into beverage container 100.

[0068] When the pressure in the beverage container 100 and in the valve chamber 13.0 reaches the preset, defined target pressure of the pressure regulating device 1, the diaphragm 11 returns to a neutral position, and the diaphragm plunger 8 is moved upwards, so that the valve pin 6 is pressed against the passage 13.1 by the valve spring 5 and the control valve 20 assumes the closed position. ( Fig. 4 ). Only when liquid is drawn again from the beverage container 100 or when the target pressure is undershot does the control valve return to the open position in order to supply pressurized gas.

[0069] If overpressure arises in the valve chamber 13.0 or in the capsule housing interior 3.0 connected to it by the connecting bore 13.4 due to possible leaks at the valve pin 6 or between the connecting body 14 and the valve housing 13 or the capsule 2, this is released from the beverage container 100 or from the pressure regulating device 1 by venting the diaphragm 11 via the diaphragm plunger 8. ( Fig. 5 ). The overpressure value is predefined by the spring force of the diaphragm spring 7.

[0070] The pressure regulating device according to the invention can not only be advantageously mass-produced using automated manufacturing steps, but also exhibits improved control behavior compared to the prior art due to its diaphragm-diaphragm plunger arrangement. Furthermore, the pressure regulating device according to the invention, despite a reduced number of sealing rings, exhibits improved sealing due to the use of the diaphragm and valve pin as well as the sealed plug connections. In addition, the pressure regulating device according to the invention is protected against the unwanted escape of liquid from the beverage container in the event of leaks.

[0071] Deviations of the pressure regulating devices 1 from Figs. 10 to 16 and Figs. 17 to 19 to the in Figs. 1 to 7The described example relates in particular to the diaphragm 11, and furthermore to the design of the housing cover 10 and valve housing 13, as well as the connection body 14. In addition, the pressure regulating device 1 differs from Figs. 17 to 19 through an actuating section 30 on the capsule housing 3.

[0072] The diaphragm 11 is not directly clamped between the valve housing 13 and the housing cover 10, but is designed as a multi-component injection-molded part, with the elastic diaphragm 11 being injected into a retaining ring 11.1 made of a different material. Figs. 10 to 19 The diaphragm 11 is clamped in the valve housing 13 between the housing cover 10 and the valve housing 13 by means of the retaining ring 11.1. Accordingly, the in Fig. 14The axial bearing surface 13.6 on the valve housing 13 and the clamping ring shoulder 10.6 on the housing cover 10 are modified with respect to shape and axial distance to clamp the retaining ring 11.1 with the diaphragm 11 in the assembled state of the housing cover 10 and valve housing 13. A seal 11.2, injection-molded onto the end face of the retaining ring 11.1 facing the valve housing 13, seals the clamping connection between the housing cover 10, the clamping ring 11.1, and the valve housing 13. However, with the retaining ring 11.1, the arrangement of the diaphragm 11 is not limited to the connection point between the valve housing 13 and the housing cover 10 as shown. By welding or bonding the retaining ring 11.1 in place, the diaphragm 11 can also be positioned further up in the housing cover 10 or further down in the valve housing 13. If the retaining ring 11.1 is welded, e.g.,When joining the housing cover 10 or the valve housing 13, laser welding or ultrasonic welding can be preferred, as with the fastening of the capsule housing 3. Therefore, it is also advantageous here if the components to be joined, the retaining ring 11.1 and the valve housing 13 (or housing cover 10), are made of the same material. Polyoxymethylene (POM) can therefore also be used as the material for the retaining ring 11.1.

[0073] Furthermore, it is assumed that Figs. 10 to 19An advantageous shape of the diaphragm 11 features an annular bulge around the central diaphragm opening through which the diaphragm plunger 8 extends. This central diaphragm opening is bounded by an opening bead 11.3, with which the diaphragm 11 abuts the diaphragm plunger 8 between the diaphragm collar 8.1 and a limiting shoulder 8.7, which tapers towards the upper plunger section 8.3. Furthermore, a sleeve section 11.4 extends axially from the opening bead 11.3 into the diaphragm spring 7, ensuring the correct function of the diaphragm.

[0074] Apart from the differently designed clamping ring shoulder 10.6, the housing cover 10 differs from the one in Figs. 10 to 19The illustrated pressure regulating device 1 has a sleeve section 10.1 and a guide opening 10.3, to which the vent bore 10.4 connects via the plug 10.5. The sleeve section 10.1 does not project into the vent chamber 10.0, but is flush with the inner wall of the housing cover 10, the wall thickness of which is increased for this purpose. The sleeve section 10.1 defines a receiving space to which the guide opening 10.3, with its reduced diameter, connects coaxially, forming an annular shoulder against which the diaphragm spring 7 is supported, extending into the receiving space defined by the sleeve section 10.1. The guide opening 10.3 borders the vent bore 10.4 with a tapered, here frustoconical section, the stop collar 8.2 on the diaphragm plunger 8 correspondingly having a frustoconical shape. A channel structure 8.0 is located on the stop collar 8.2 ensures a fluid connection between the vent chamber 10.0 and the vent bore 10.4 when the diaphragm plunger 8 is at its upper stop and the stop collar 8.2 rests against the tapered section of the guide opening 10.3, as shown. Fig. 16 The diagram shows the control valve 20 in the vented state, in which the diaphragm 11 is lifted from the diaphragm collar 8.1 against the force of the diaphragm spring 7, so that the valve chamber 13.0 is connected to the vent chamber 10.0.

[0075] To improve the guidance of the diaphragm tappet 8, the valve housing 13 is designed with a guide passage 13.12, which extends between the valve chamber 13.0 and the passage 13.1, which is connected to the pressure chamber 13.2. The guide passage 13.12 is dimensioned to accommodate the lower tappet section 8.5, which is not only located in the operating states ("open" in Fig. 14 , "closed" in Fig. 15), but also in assembly position ( Fig. 10 ) or venting status ( Fig. 16 ) through the valve chamber 13.0 into the guide passage 13.12. The pin section 8.6 is unchanged in order to extend through the passage 13.1 to actuate the valve pin 6. However, for the lower axial stop ( Fig. 14 ) The diaphragm plunger 8 here provides a ring shoulder 13.13 adjacent to the guide passage 13.12, which stands out from the wall 13.9 of the valve chamber 13.0, via the diaphragm flange 8.1. Channel structures on the ring shoulder 13.13 and / or the diaphragm flange 8.1, which connect the guide passage 13.12 and the valve chamber 13.0, are not shown here either.

[0076] Figs. 11 and 12 Details of the arrangement of the check valve 12 in the outlet opening 13.3 are shown, which also apply to the one with Figs. 1 to 7The variant shown may apply. An outlet bore 13.10 extends axially from the valve chamber, offset from the passage 13.1 and offset from the connecting bore 13.4, and opens into the outlet opening 13.3 with the check valve 12.

[0077] To connect the valve chamber 13.0 with the capsule housing space 3.0 between the capsule 2 and the capsule housing 3, the connecting bore 13.4 is designed with an outwardly offset connecting bore section 13.11 with a reduced diameter. The offset allows the connection body 14 to be positioned in the valve housing 13, which thus seals against the capsule 2 with the connection body 14.

[0078] The connecting body 14 is, as shown in the enlarged illustration of Fig. 13a, 13bAs shown here, the connection is made in several parts, with the offset sleeve section 14.2 forming a short collar. This collar is received in the pressure chamber 13.2 of the valve housing 13 and defines the receiving space 14.0 for receiving the valve spring 5. The connecting component with the sleeve section 14.2 is supported by a two-part connecting component consisting of a stepped sleeve 14.4 and a shaped body 14.5, which form the connection opening 14.3 for the sealing reception of the capsule outlet section 2.2 with the capsule opening 2.1. The hollow needle 4 extends through the two-part connecting component consisting of the stepped sleeve 14.4 and the shaped body 14.5 into the connecting component with the sleeve section 14.2, in which the through-opening 14.1 connects the hollow needle 4 to the pressure chamber 32.

[0079] Figs. 17 to 19 shows a pressure regulating device 1, whose control valve 20 is from Figs. 10 to 16The capsule housing 3, on the other hand, is designed with an actuating section 30 on a side facing away from the plug-in section 13.8. The capsule housing 3 is dimensioned with respect to the capsule 2 such that, as shown in Figs. 17 and 18 As can be seen, the capsule outlet 2.1 is spaced apart from the hollow needle 4 and is therefore not pierced. To bring the pressure regulating device 1 into a ready-to-use state for placement in a beverage container 100, the capsule 2 can be moved in the capsule housing 3 towards the connection body 14 until the capsule outlet section 2.2 is sealed in the connection opening 14.3 of the connection body 14 and the capsule outlet 2.1 is penetrated by the hollow needle 4. ( Fig. 19 ).For this purpose, the actuating section 30 is designed with an engagement bore 31, which engages with a lifting element 32, which here is designed as a threaded bolt that engages with an internal thread in the engagement bore 31. The lifting element 32 acts on a capsule carrier 33, which projects into the engagement bore 31 with a sealing section and is sealed by means of a seal 34.

[0080] According to the deviations in the apparatus design, the method for manufacturing the pressure regulating devices 1 differs from the Figs. 10 to 16 and Figs. 17 to 19 especially with regard to the arrangement of the diaphragm 11, for which the retaining ring 11.1 is used here, and with regard to the transition to the ready-to-use state, which is achieved by penetrating the capsule outlet with the hollow needle, as in the example of Figs. 17 to 19 This is done by actuating the actuating section. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0081] 1 Pressure regulating device 2 Capsule 2.0 Interior 2.1 Capsule outlet 2.2 Outlet section 3 Capsule housing 3.0 Capsule housing space 4 Hollow needle 4.0 Through-hole 5 Valve spring 6 Valve pin 6.1 Sealing head 6.2 Valve body 6.3 Pin section 6.4 Centering section 6.5 Neck section 7 Diaphragm spring 8 Diaphragm plunger 8.1 Diaphragm collar 8.2 Stop collar 8.3 Middle plunger section 8.4 Upper plunger section 8.5 Lower plunger section 8.6 Pin section 8.7 Limiting shoulder 9 Fastening element / Activation button 10 Housing cover 10.0 Venting chamber 10.1 Sleeve section 10.2 Spring assembly 10.3 Guide opening 10.4 Passage / Ventilation bore 10.5 Plug section 10.6 Clamping ring shoulder 10.7 Circumference section 11 Membrane 11.1 Mounting ring 11.2 Seal 11.3 Opening bead 11.4 Sleeve section 12, 12' Check valve 13 Valve body 13.0 Valve chamber 13.1 Passage 13.2 Pressure chamber 13.3 Outlet opening 13.4 Connecting bore 13.5 Plug section 13.6 Annular surface / Bearing surface 13.7 Annular rim 13.8 Plug section 13.9 Wall 13.10 Outlet bore 13.11 Connecting bore section 13.12 Guide passage 13.13 Ring shoulder 14 Connection body 14.0 Receiving chamber 14.1 Through opening 14.2 Sleeve section 14.3 Connection opening 14.4 Step sleeve 14.5 Molded body 15 Material connection / welded connection 16 Radial seal 17 Axial seal 20 Control valve 30 Actuating section 31 Engagement bore 32 Lifting element 33 Capsule carrier 34 Seal 100 Beverage container 101 Container attachment 102 Engagement element 103 Tap F Beverage / Liquid.

Claims

1. A pressure control device (1), formed for arrangement in a beverage container (100), wherein the pressure control device (1) has a control valve (20) and a capsule (2), which is arranged in a capsule housing (3), which sealingly engages with a valve housing (13) of the control valve (20), wherein the valve housing (13) delimits a valve chamber (13.0) and a pressure chamber (13.2), which is connected via a passage (13.1) to the valve chamber (13.0), wherein the valve chamber (13) has at least one outlet opening (13.3) of the control valve (20), and wherein the control valve (20) has, for coupling to a capsule outlet (2.1) of the capsule (2), a hollow needle (4), which provides a connection of an interior space (2.0) of the capsule (2) to the pressure chamber (13.2), in which a spring-loaded valve pin (6) is arranged, which, in a closed position, closes the passage (13.1) and which, in an open position, releases the passage (13.1), and wherein the control valve (20) has an actuation element (8), which is arranged in the valve chamber (13.0) in an axially movable manner, wherein a first end of the actuation element (8) is formed for coupling to the valve pin (6) and a second end of the actuation element (8) extends through a housing cover (10), which is connected to the valve housing (13), wherein the actuation element (8) is a diaphragm plunger (8), which passes through a diaphragm (11) and is releasably coupled thereto, wherein the diaphragm (11) separates the valve chamber (13.0) from a ventilation chamber (10.0), which is delimited by the housing cover (10) and wherein a diaphragm spring (7), which is supported on the diaphragm (11) at one end and on the housing cover (10) at the other end, is arranged around the diaphragm plunger (8) in the ventilation chamber (10.0).

2. The pressure control device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the diaphragm plunger (8) has a diaphragm collar (8.1), which is arranged at a side of the diaphragm (11) facing away from the diaphragm spring (7), wherein the diaphragm (11) rests releasably against the diaphragm collar (8.1) on the diaphragm plunger (8), wherein the housing cover (10) has at least one ventilation bore (10.4), which is preferably a through bore (10.4) in the housing cover (10), through which the diaphragm plunger (8) extends.

3. The pressure control device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that a central diaphragm opening, through which the diaphragm plunger (8) extends, is delimited by an opening bead (11.3), from which a sleeve section (11.4) extends into the diaphragm spring (7) in the axial direction, wherein the sleeve section (11.4) is arranged between the diaphragm collar (8.1) and a delimiting ledge (8.7) of the diaphragm plunger (8).

4. The pressure control device (1) according to at least any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the diaphragm plunger (8) has a central plunger section (8.3), which extends through the ventilation chamber (10.0), and an upper plunger section (8.4), which extends through the housing cover (10), and has a stop collar (8.2), which is arranged between the central plunger section (8.3) and the upper plunger section (8.4), wherein the housing cover (10) has a sleeve section (10.1), through which the diaphragm plunger (8) extends, wherein a guide opening (10.3), in which the stop collar (8.2) is axially guided, is provided by the sleeve section (10.1) or adjoins the sleeve section (10.1) and provides an axial stop for the stop collar (8.2) of the diaphragm plunger (8).

5. The pressure control device (1) according to at least any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the diaphragm plunger (8) has a lower plunger section (8.5), which extends through the valve chamber (13.0), wherein a journal section (8.6) is formed on the lower plunger section (8.5) for coupling to the valve pin (6), said journal section being offset in diameter from the lower plunger section (8.5) and the diameter thereof being smaller than a diameter of the passage (13.1), wherein the journal section (8.6) is longer than the passage (13.1), and wherein, adjoining the offset journal section (8.6), the lower plunger section (8.5) provides an axial stop of the diaphragm plunger (8) on a wall (13.9) of the valve chamber (13.0) adjoining the passage (13.1).

6. The pressure control device (1) according to at least any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the diaphragm plunger (8) has a lower plunger section (8.5), which extends from the diaphragm collar (8.1) through the valve chamber (13.0) and through a guide passage (13.12), which is formed in the valve housing (13) and which connects the valve chamber (13.0) to the passage (13.1), wherein a journal section (8.6) is formed on the lower plunger section (8.5) for coupling to the valve pin (6), said journal section being offset in diameter from the lower plunger section (8.5) and the diameter thereof being smaller than a diameter of the passage (13.1), wherein the journal section (8.6) is longer than the passage (13.1), and wherein the diaphragm section (8.1) provides an axial stop of the diaphragm plunger (8) on a wall (13.13) of the valve chamber (13.0) adjoining the guide passage (13.12).

7. The pressure control device (1) according to at least any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the diaphragm (11) is fastened between the valve housing (13) and the housing cover (10) by means of a clamping connection, wherein the valve housing (13) and the housing cover (10) preferably have an offset diaphragm bearing surface (13.6) and a clamping ledge (10.6) as clamping surfaces facing one another, or that the diaphragm (11) is formed with a circumferential fastening ring (11.1) with a seal (11.2) as a multi-component injection molded component, in the case of which the diaphragm (11) is injected into the fastening ring (11.1), wherein the fastening ring (11.1) is fastened in the valve housing (13) or in the housing cover (10) by means of a welded connection or an adhesive connection or is fastened between the valve housing (13) and the housing cover (10) by means of a clamping connection.

8. The pressure control device (1) according to at least any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a non-return valve (12), which opens in the direction out of the valve chamber (13.0) and closes in the direction into the valve chamber (13.0), is arranged in the at least one outlet opening (13.3), and / or a connecting bore (13.4, 13.11) is formed in the valve housing (13), said connecting bore connecting the valve chamber (13.0) to a capsule housing space (3.0), which the capsule housing (3) encloses around the capsule (2).

9. The pressure control device (1) according to at least any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the valve housing (13) has, for engagement with the capsule housing (3), a plug section (13.8), the outer diameter of which corresponds to an inner diameter of the capsule housing (3), wherein the sealing engagement of the capsule housing (3) with the valve housing (13) is provided by means of a substance-to-substance bond (15), which is an adhesive connection or preferably a welded connection and in particular a laser or ultrasonic welded connection, or which is provided by a mechanical connection, which is sealed by means of a seal and which comprises clipping, engaging and snapping in.

10. The pressure control device (1) according to at least any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a connection body (14) having the hollow needle (4) is arranged in a sealed manner between the valve housing (13) and the capsule (2), wherein the connection body (14) has a through opening (14.1), which provides a connection between the hollow needle (4) and the pressure chamber (13.2) in the valve housing (13).

11. The pressure control device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the connection body (14) has a connection opening (14.3), in which an outlet section (2.2) of the capsule (2) is received, which has the capsule outlet (2.1), wherein the hollow needle (4) for passing through the capsule outlet (2.1) protrudes into the connection opening (14.3), wherein a seal between the connection body (14) and the outlet section (2.2) of the capsule (2) preferably has a radial seal (16) and an axial seal (17) surrounding the capsule outlet (2.1).

12. The pressure control device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the capsule housing (3) is dimensioned with respect to the capsule (2) so that upon arranging the capsule housing (3) on the plug section (13.8) of the valve housing (13), the capsule outlet section (2.2) is sealingly received in the connection opening (14.3) of the connection body (14) and the hollow needle (4) passes through the capsule outlet (2.1), or the capsule housing (3) is dimensioned with respect to the capsule (2) so that upon arranging the capsule housing (3) on the plug section (13.8) of the valve housing (13), the capsule outlet (2.1) is spaced apart from the hollow needle (4), wherein the capsule housing (3) has, on a side facing away from the plug section (13.8), an actuation section (30) with a lifting element (32), which is formed to move the capsule (2) in the capsule housing (3) in the direction of the connection body (14) until the capsule outlet section (2.2) is sealingly received in the connection opening (14.3) of the connection body (14) and the hollow needle (4) passes through the capsule outlet (2.1).

13. The pressure control device (1) according to at least any one of claims 11 to 12, characterized in that the connection body (14) has a sleeve section (14.2), which is offset in diameter and which is at least partly received in the pressure chamber (13.2) of the valve housing (13), wherein the connection body (14) rests against the valve housing (13), wherein the valve pin (6) protrudes into the sleeve section (14.2) and a valve spring (5) supports itself on the sleeve section (14.2), wherein, in the closed position, the valve pin (6) is present in the expanded state of the valve spring (5) and, in the open position, it is present in the compressed state of the valve spring (5).

14. The pressure control device (1) according to at least any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that - the valve pin (6) consists of an elastomeric material, which is preferably a thermoplastic elastomeric material, and / or - the valve pin (6) has a sealing head (6.1), which is connected via a neck section (6.5) to a valve body (6.2), from which a journal section (6.3) with an offset diameter with a centering section (6.4) extends, wherein the sealing head (6.1) has a larger diameter than the passage (13.1) and is formed for sealingly resting against a wall section (13.7), which adjoins the passage (13) and which is preferably formed as ring wall (13.7), and / or the journal section (6.3), which is offset from the valve body (6.2), provides an axial stop for a valve spring (5), which surrounds the journal section (6.3) and rests against the centering section (6.4).

15. A method for the automatable manufacture of a pressure control device (1) according to at least any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising the steps of - providing the control valve (20) and arranging the diaphragm plunger (8), which passes through the diaphragm (11) and which is releasably coupled thereto, against a restoring force of the diaphragm spring (7) in an assembly position, in which the diaphragm plunger (8) is spaced apart from the valve pin (6) with the first end and protrudes from the housing cover (10) with the second end, and in the assembly position, releasably fastening the diaphragm plunger (8) to the second end outside the housing cover (10), wherein the control valve (20) is present in the closed position, in which the spring-loaded valve pin (6) closes the passage (13.1), which connects the valve chamber (13.0) and the pressure chamber (13.2) in the valve housing (13), and - arranging the capsule housing (3) with the capsule (2) received therein on the control valve (20), wherein the capsule housing (3) and the valve housing (13) of the control valve (20) are plugged together and the diaphragm plunger (8) remains in the assembly position and the control valve (20) remains in the closed position, and - sealingly connecting the capsule housing (3) to the valve housing (13) and obtaining the pressure control device (1) in a delivery state, wherein the diaphragm plunger (8) is present in the assembly position and the control valve (20) is present in the closed position.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein - when plugging together the capsule housing (3) and the valve housing (13), a plug section (13.8) of the valve housing (13) is received in the capsule housing (3) and the sealing connection of the capsule housing (3) on the plug section (13.8) of the valve housing (13) takes place, and / or - the sealing connection of the capsule housing (3) to the valve housing (13) takes place by means of a substance-to-substance bond by means of adhesion or welding, in particular by means of laser welding or ultrasonic welding, or mechanically by arranging a seal by means of clipping, engaging or snapping in.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the capsule housing (3) is dimensioned with respect to the capsule (2) so that upon arrangement of the capsule housing (3) on the plug section (13.8) of the valve housing (13), the capsule section (2.2) is sealingly received in the connection opening (14.3) of the connection body (14), comprising the steps of prior to arranging the capsule housing (3) with the capsule (2) arranged therein on the control valve (20) - sealingly arranging a connection body (14) on the valve housing (13), thereby inserting a sleeve section (14.2) of the connection body (14), which is offset in diameter, into the pressure chamber (13.2), wherein upon arranging the capsule housing (3) with the capsule (2) arranged therein on the control valve (20), - sealing insertion of the capsule (2) with the outlet section (2.2), which has the capsule outlet (2.1), into a connection opening (14.3) of the connection body (14) and the hollow needle (4) of the control valve (20) passing through the capsule outlet (2.1) of the capsule (2) take place simultaneously.

18. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the capsule housing (3) is dimensioned with respect to the capsule (2) so that upon arranging the capsule housing (3) on the plug section (13.8) of the valve housing (13), the capsule outlet (2.1) is spaced apart form the hollow needle (4), wherein the capsule housing (3) has, on a side facing away from the plug section (13.8), an actuation section (30) with a lifting element (32), comprising the steps of prior to arranging the capsule housing (3) with the capsule (2) arranged therein on the control valve (20) - sealingly arranging a connection body (14) on the valve housing (13), thereby inserting a sleeve section (14.2) of the connection body (14), which is offset in diameter, into the pressure chamber (13.2), and upon arranging the capsule housing (3) with the capsule (2) arranged therein on the control valve (20), - by actuating the lifting element (32) moving the capsule (2) in the capsule housing (3) in the direction of the connection body (14) until the capsule outlet section (2.2) is sealingly received in the connection opening (14.3) of the connection body (14) and the hollow needle (4) passes through the capsule outlet (2.1).

19. The method according to at least any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the provision of the control valve (20) comprises at least one of the steps of - plugging together the housing cover (10) and the valve housing (13), thereby fastening the diaphragm (11), preferably by means of the fastening ring (11.1), to the housing cover (10) or the valve housing (13) or clamping between the housing cover (10) and the valve housing (13); - arranging a non-return valve (12) in an outlet opening (13.3) of the valve chamber (13.0); - forming the valve housing (13) with a connecting bore (13.4, 13.11), which extends from the valve chamber (13.0) parallel to the pressure chamber (13.2), in order to lead into a capsule housing space (3.0), which is enclosed between the capsule (2) and the capsule housing (3), upon arranging the capsule housing (3) with the capsule (2) arranged therein on the control valve (20).