A pressure regulation device

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a gas pressure regulation device for a beverage dispensing system comprising a two-part housing with a first part (101) having a first end (110) and a second part (102) having a second end (120). The first valve housing end comprises at least one port (111) and the second end comprises at least two ports (121, 122, 124, 125). At least one port is an inlet for gas and at least one port is an outlet for gas. One of the ports being a gas outlet comprises a protective device (300) for discharging gas when having a pressure being higher than a predetermined pressure. The at least one port being a gas inlet (122) is configured to be detachably connected in fluid communication with a container of pressurized gas. One other of the ports being a gas outlet (125) is configured to be detachably connected in fluid communication with a beverage container via a detachable gas supply line.

Description

[0001] A pressure regulation device

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a gas pressure regulation device for use when dispensing beverage. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a gas pressure regulation device as defined in the introductory part of the independent claim.

[0004] Background art

[0005] A problem with the solutions of the prior art of pressure delivery systems for delivering gas from a gas container to a gas consuming system where beverages are carbonized is that hitherto known pressure regulation devices with valves and valve assemblies for pressure regulation being detachably attached to the gas container, often a CO2 container, comprise many different parts, both movable and stationary parts working together for achieving a sufficiently stable regulated pressure including one or more safety valves also being made up of many separate parts making the known pressure regulation devices, valves and valve assemblies very complex to manufacture, assemble together and to store and also to handle as the more different parts making them up the more effort to handle them due to a greater number of spare parts to "keep track of".

[0006] A problem with the solutions of the prior art of pressure delivery systems for delivering gas to a gas consuming system where beverages are carbonized is that hitherto known pressure regulation devices, valves and valve assemblies being detachably attached to the gas container, often a CO2 container, must be subjected to high-pressure testing to ensure that the sealing therein is sufficient without leakage at high-pressure based on ISO standard, wherefore development and improvement of all the included sealing elements are of the essence to make the pressure regulators safer and easier to test while at the same time simplifying the actual testing.

[0007] A problem with the solutions of the prior art of pressure delivery systems for delivering gas to a gas consuming system where beverages are carbonized is that hitherto known pressure regulation devices, valves and valve assemblies being detachably attached to the gas container, often a CO2 container, is too complex by comprising many different and moving parts - meaning that the risk of jamming and / or gas leakage for any of the parts when moving is higher, e.g. due to wear and / or contamination due to product exposure and / or freezing - if CO2 is used as the propellant gas, wherefore the risk of malfunction is increased, this being in particular disadvantageous when used with high-pressure gas as for example any malfunction of the pressure relief safety valve functionality also incurs high risk of severely damaging and hurting operators standing nearby the pressure delivery system. Another risk with malfunctioning safety valves concern gas leaks and as CO2 is heavier than air the CO2 accumulates in the room where the gas container or bottle and pressure regulators are located.

[0008] An example of a pressure relief valve is disclosed in EP 2 848 582 Al.

[0009] There is thus a need for an improved pressure regulation device comprising valves and valve assemblies for use in pressure delivery systems for delivering gas to a gas consuming system where beverages are carbonized.

[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies and disadvantages in the prior art and solve at least the above-mentioned problem. According to a first aspect, there is provided a gas pressure regulation device for a beverage dispensing system comprises a two-part housing with a first part having a first end and a second part having a second end, the first valve housing end comprises at least one port and the second end comprises at least two or three or more ports; at least one port is an inlet for gas and at least one port is an outlet for gas, and one of the ports being a gas outlet comprises a protective device for discharging gas when having a pressure being higher than a predetermined pressure; the at least one port being a gas inlet is configured to be detachably connected in fluid communication with a container of pressurized gas; and one other of the ports being a gas outlet is configured to be detachably connected in fluid communication with a beverage container via a detachable gas supply line, the gas pressure regulation device comprises an inner detachable pressure control valve unit, which in turn comprises an inner spring loaded movable piston configured to act as a restricting element for the gas flow from the gas inlet by reciprocating in and out of sealing engagement with an inner sealing element together with a pin in response to varying gas pressure between an open state not in sealing engagement with the inner sealing element and a closed state - in sealing engagement with the inner sealing element - to provide variable restriction to the gas flow in cooperation with an inner diaphragm acting as a loading element having a first side applying a predetermined and adjustable force on the pin and the inner piston, which predetermined and adjustable force is provided by a pressure adjustment member configured to change the load of a spring onto a second side of the diaphragm for biasing the first diaphragm side onto the pin, the pressure adjustment member being accessible at the first valve housing end through the at least one port to enable moving the pressure adjustment member towards and away from one end of the spring to set a predetermined spring force acting on the second diaphragm side via a plate at the other end of the spring, the plate being configured to distribute the spring force on the second diaphragm side, wherein the plate is made of moldable polymeric material and comprises a centre section being a hub configured to be biased by the spring to contact the second side of the diaphragm and an outer section being a circumferential rim around the centre section, the centre section and the outer section being integrated in the plate and interconnected with each other via a flexible connection.

[0011] This reduces the number of parts or items or entities making up the pressure regulation device by providing only one part or item or entity as a combined ring and spring washer with support and spring function to transfer pressure setting from the screw to the diaphragm. This simplifies the alignment between the diaphragm, the one-piece plate and the housing parts when assembled together. This improves the sealing between housing parts when assembled. This increases and improves inherent flexibility of the plate further and provides a controllable adaptation of the flexibility of the plate to different applications of the gas pressure regulation device.

[0012] According to some embodiments, the outer section being a circumferential rim of the plate and the centre section being a hub of the plate are interconnected at a distance radially from each other by the flexible connection to form a fenestrated plate.

[0013] This solution of a fenestrated one-piece plate reduces both the material used for making the plate and its weight.

[0014] According to some embodiments, the flexible connection of the plate is formed by one or more spoke-like members configured to hold the centre hub section and the outer rim section together as one common plate while providing a spri ngy / plia ble / resi lie nt ability to the plate enabling the centre hub section and the outer rim section to flex relative each other.

[0015] The centre hub section or piece of the plate provides for the diaphragm to seal against a top of the inner detachable pressure control valve unit, i.e. the pin of the inner detachable pressure control valve unit without using an additional sealing part as in prior art. This further increases inherent flexibility of the plate while improving the control of its flexing.

[0016] According to some embodiments, the one or more spoke-like members forming the flexible connection of the plate extend radially between the centre hub section and the outer rim section in the extension plane of the common plate with curved or bent shape and / or extends radially along a curve in a tangential direction in the extension plane of the common plate and relative the circumference of the common plate.

[0017] The outer section of the plate forming a ring provides a compression function to the diaphragm when the housing parts are assembled. The centre or inner section of the plate allows the movement of the diaphragm, whereby the plate forms one and the same part being static outside but flexible inside.

[0018] According to some embodiments, there are three or four or more spoke-like members forming the flexible connection distributed evenly along the circumference of the plate between the centre section and the outer section.

[0019] It can be minimum three connections holding the centre plate section and the outer plate section together to balance and make the flexibility of the plate as symmetrical as possible without adding to much material or space but could in some embodiments be up to four, five or six spokes, depending on the available space inside the pressure regulation device and dimension requirements.

[0020] According to some embodiments, two other ports being gas outlets of the gas pressure regulation device housing are configured to be detachably connected in fluid communication with a first and a second gas pressure measuring device, respectively.

[0021] These gas pressure measuring devices provide the ability of controlling the lower gas pressure out through the gas pressure regulation device and into the beverage container and the higher gas pressure coming into the gas pressure regulation device from a gas container.

[0022] According to some embodiments, the two housing parts of the valve housing are configured to be detachably assembled via threading together as two housing halves of the housing with the first housing end arranged opposite the second housing end, the first housing part forming a first housing half having the first housing end as one end and an outer thread at the other end of the first housing half opposite the first housing end and the second housing part forming the second housing half having the second housing end as one end and an inner thread at the other end of the second housing half opposite the second housing end.

[0023] The housing is round and / or partly spherical and / or partly cylindrical, wherefore this solution provides the benefit of a hidden thread between both housing parts, which makes it more difficult to disassemble the housing or even makes the housing fully tamperproof as any possible grip around the round housing is prevented or at least made much more difficult to achieve to be able to disassemble the housing parts, and therefore also the gas pressure regulator for an untrained service engineer and / or customer.

[0024] According to some embodiments, the outer thread on the first housing part is arranged about / at / on an upstanding circumferential edge or flange configured to face, abut and sliding- ly contact a first side of the outer circumferential rim section of the plate during turning of the first and / or second housing part until the first and second housing parts are finally threaded together finishing the assembly of the housing.

[0025] This solution gives the benefit of no gap between the housing parts after assembly and that no additional fixing screws are required.

[0026] According to some embodiments, the inner thread on the second housing part is arranged at or ends at or ends before or ends above an inner circumferential shelf configured to form a support for the outer circumference of the first side of the diaphragm, whereby the outer circumference of the second side of the diaphragm opposite the first diaphragm side forms a support for a second side of the outer circumferential rim section of the plate opposite the first side of the outer circumferential rim section, this second side of the outer circumferential rim section being configured to face the second housing end during assembly when first and second housing parts are threaded together.

[0027] The housing design provides an end stop to make sure that the diaphragm made by rubber when assembled inside the housing cannot be over compressed and damaged.

[0028] According to some embodiments, the first side of the diaphragm is configured to be supported by an inner circumferential shelf arranged at and inside an end of the second housing part opposite the second housing end and the outer circumferential rim section of the plate is configured to be arranged in contact with and between the second side of the diaphragm and an upstanding circumferential flange of the first housing part being arranged at an end of the first housing part opposite the first housing end during assembly when first and second housing parts are threaded together.

[0029] This solution ensures that the diaphragm is sufficiently compressed but not over compressed to seal against the housing while the combined plate absorbs or minimizes the friction between the housing parts during the threading together in the assembling process.

[0030] According to some embodiments, the plate is made of a moldable polymeric material with friction properties that hinder the plate from sliding with one side against the diaphragm made of rubber during assembly by threading the two housing parts together while - at the same time - enabling the first and / or second housing part being turned during the assembly to slide against an opposite other side of the plate.

[0031] This makes sure that the diaphragm when assembled inside the housing cannot be damaged due to too high friction and to eliminate wrinkling of the diaphragm and any negative effects on the sealing.

[0032] According to some embodiments, the inner detachable pressure control valve unit comprises a body with an outer thread configured for detachable assembly via an inner thread inside the second housing part.

[0033] This provides for easy detachable assembly and also automated assembly.

[0034] According to some embodiments, the sealing element of the inner detachable pressure control valve unit comprises a centre opening configured to movably receive a stem of the piston and is configured to be tightly fitted into inner cavities / bores downstream the pin to only let gas flow through the centre opening and past the stem into upstream cavities / bores and out of the valve unit in the open state.

[0035] This provides a robust sealing and guidance of the stem without incurring too much friction during reciprocation.

[0036] According to some embodiments, the piston of the inner detachable pressure control valve unit comprises an inner cavity arranged opposite a stem of the piston and configured to receive a spring, and an inner gas flow path or cavity downstream the piston is configured to detachably receive and hold a locking plate in place inside the inner gas flow cavity and against the body downstream of the piston.

[0037] This solution provides the advantage of assembling the locking plate by means of an automated assembling process. The prior art of today is based on crimping a housing around the piston and the spring, which prior art process is very depending on the tolerance build-up of the inner detachable pressure control valve unit.

[0038] According to some embodiments, the locking plate is made of plastic and / or polymeric material and having a shape similar to a three-bladed propeller with a centre hub having an upstream protruding pin or guide with three radially protruding legs, the protruding guide being configured to fit into the spring and the protruding legs being configured to be snapped past protrusions acting as hooks and supports for the locking plate to act as an anvil against the spring inside the piston cavity to bias the spring towards the piston when the inner detachable pressure control valve unit is assembled together, thereby pushing the piston into sealing engagement with the inner sealing element in the closed state.

[0039] This solution provides a simplified and automated assembling process as the prior art uses crimping a housing around the piston and the spring, which is very depending on the tolerance build-up of the inner detachable pressure control valve unit.

[0040] According to some embodiments, the piston of the inner detachable pressure control valve unit comprises sealing surfaces arranged between the inner cavity and the stem upstream of the locking plate, the sealing surfaces being slanted at an angle of about 45° forming a conical surface relative the gas flow direction and away from the stem to sealingly engage the inner sealing element in the closed state.

[0041] Prior art sealings are formed by pressure shaping the sealing made of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) against the piston. In some embodiments and in this disclosure, the new solution of the sealing between the sealing surfaces of the piston and the sealing surfaces of the sealing element is formed during the molding process of the sealing element as the sealing surfaces of the sealing element is formed close and / or intimately with the piston and / or formed in close contact and / or formed in intimate contact with the piston, which leads to a higher precision of the sealing surface.

[0042] According to some embodiments, the sealing element of the inner detachable pressure control valve unit is molded and made of polypropylene glycol with a molecular weight of 1000 or a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0043] The finished gas pressure regulation device is subjected to high pressure as required by an ISO standard and earlier prior art sealing elements were made of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which PTFE required testing the inner detachable pressure control valve unit with a high pressure of 200 bar to make sure inner detachable pressure control valve unit is not leaking after being detachably assembled into and used the gas pressure regulation device due to the PTFE being a harder material. The need of this additional high-pressure test of the inner detachable pressure control valve unit is therefore eliminated when using a molded sealing made of polypropylene glycol with a molecular weight of 1000 or a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0044] According to some embodiments, the diaphragm of the gas pressure regulation device comprises two sides, one first side configured to engage or actuate the pin and thereby indirectly the piston to be able to move the pin and the piston together and a second side configured to contact and be actuated by the spring-loaded plate, the first diaphragm side comprises a circular bulge extending unbroken around the centre of the diaphragm and being configured to engage and sealingly contact a flat head of the pin during actuation of the pin and the piston.

[0045] The benefit of this solution is a perfect sealing between the diaphragm and the top, i.e., the top pin of the inner detachable pressure control valve unit.

[0046] According to some embodiments, the diaphragm of the gas pressure regulation device comprises a centre through hole and the plate comprises a centre through hole, which two centre through holes are aligned.

[0047] The centre holes of the diaphragm and the plate are used for venting of the gas pressure regulator. If the spring force is reduced the diaphragm is lifted up slightly to allow gas to expend out through the integrated venting holes of the plate and the diaphragm and into the housing of the gas pressure regulator and out to the surrounding. This provides for a correct pressure indication on the low-pressure side or gauge of the gas pressure regulator once the pressure setting force / screw load has been reduced.

[0048] According to some embodiments, the centre hub section of the plate has a slightly convex shape or is somewhat bulging towards the second side of the diaphragm.

[0049] This bulging of the plate has the benefit that the diaphragm may flex or bend around the convex shape when the pressure is increasing in the low-pressure zone below the diaphragm and avoids the risk of damaging the diaphragm on any sharp corner or edge of the plate.

[0050] According to some embodiments, the protective device of the gas pressure regulation device comprises an elongated spring-loaded closing member made by two component injection molding to provide a first end of the elongated spring-loaded closing member with an integrated molded sealing surface made of thermoplastic elastomer configured to face and sealingly engage a seat inside the gas outlet port when the gas has a pressure being lower than a predetermined gas relief pressure.

[0051] This eliminates the need of any separate and loose sealing to be fitted into or onto the first end of the spring-loaded closing member as done in prior art safety valves. This eliminates the need of any two-part piston stem and any separate and loose sealings in the form of O- rings to be fitted onto the piston stem as done in prior art safety valves. This reduces the weight of the safety valve and simplifies the assembly of a safety valve by eliminating the number of parts and the use of metal parts as in prior art safety valves assembled together with separate and loose plastic sealing parts made of POM crimped into the first end of a metal stem and sealings in the form of O-rings fitted over the metal stem.

[0052] According to some embodiments, the protective device of the gas pressure regulation device comprises a gas relief pressure adjustment spring, a gas relief pressure adjustment member and a cap, each of the gas relief pressure adjustment member and cap comprises centre through holes configured to receive an elongated second end of the elongated spring- loaded closing member opposite the first end together with the gas relief pressure adjustment spring being slid over the elongated second end to expose the second end at the cap, the cap being assembled at / on the elongated second end by means of clip in place function.

[0053] This solution provides easy access to the second end of the elongated spring-loaded closing member to enable easy gripping and pulling back of the safety valve for optional venting of the pressure regulator.

[0054] According to some embodiments, the integrated molded sealing surface of the elongated spring-loaded closing member of the protective device of the gas pressure regulation device is biased by a gas relief pressure adjustment spring into sealing engagement with one or more seats inside the gas outlet port when the gas has a pressure being lower than a predetermined gas relief pressure by means of a gas relief pressure adjustment member, the gas relief pressure adjustment member having a ring-shape with an outer thread configured to be detachably threaded into an inner thread in the gas outlet port towards the gas relief pressure adjustment spring, whereby the ring-shape of the gas relief pressure adjustment member is configured to engage and bias the gas relief pressure adjustment spring between the gas relief pressure adjustment member and the first end of the elongated spring-loaded closing member to set a gas relief pressure.

[0055] This ensures correct and more accurate biasing of the spring when setting the gas relief pressure.

[0056] According to some embodiments, the first end of the elongated spring-loaded closing member of the protective device of the gas pressure regulation device comprises more than one protrusion or leg extending in parallel with the elongated spring-loaded closing member away from the first and the second ends and beyond the integrated molded sealing surface ending with at least one free end or foot at a predetermined distance from the integrated molded sealing surface and / or ending with a predetermined length as measured in a direction perpendicular to the integrated molded sealing surface, the predetermined distance and / or protruding length of the leg being adapted to correspond to the depth of a channel or groove surrounding the seat inside the gas outlet port and / or the height of the seat inside the gas outlet port to provide a predetermined stop against the bottom of the groove and / or the base of the seat to control the compression of the integrated molded sealing surface when sealingly engaging the seat when the gas has a pressure being lower than the predetermined / -set gas relief pressure.

[0057] The abutting of the protruding lengths of the legs against the stationary surfaces working as end stop at a predetermined position makes sure that the sealing surface and face on the first end of the elongated spring-loaded closing member when assembled inside the port cannot be over compressed.

[0058] According to some embodiments, the plate is made of Polyoxymethylene (POM).

[0059] This material for the plate provides the desired friction properties and is also known as acetal, polyacetal, and polyformaldehyde.

[0060] According to some embodiments, the locking plate is configured to work as a clip made of Polyoxymethylene (POM).

[0061] This material of the locking plate provides the desired bending and snap-in properties against the hook protrusions.

[0062] According to some embodiments, the outer part of the piston comprising the inner cavity for the spring is shaped with four rounded outer corners with the same radius extending along the length of the piston, which four rounded corners are configured to form guides inside the inner cavity of the inner detachable pressure control valve unit, and with four outer surface areas arranged between and extending along the corners to form gas flow channels between the inside of the inner cavity of the inner detachable pressure control valve unit and the outside of the piston.

[0063] This provides a sufficient guidance of the piston when reciprocating and an evenly distributed gas flow along and around its outer surface.

[0064] In some embodiments, the first end of the elongated spring-loaded closing member with the integrated molded sealing surface of the protective device of the gas pressure regulation device comprises three legs arranged intermittently along the circumference of the first end at equal distances from each other to form an edge divided into three crenellation- like protrusions with openings in-between the protrusions surrounding the integrated molded sealing surface, which feet-like protrusions form the predetermined stops as feet contacting the bottom of the groove and / or the base of the seat(s) when the integrated molded sealing surface sea lingly engages the seat(s).

[0065] This shape of the first end of the elongated spring-loaded closing member working as a safety valve piston enables sufficient gas flow out of the pressure regulator housing and the associated port once the safety valve has been opened.

[0066] In some embodiments, the first end of the elongated spring-loaded closing member with the integrated molded sealing surface of the protective device of the gas pressure regulation device is configured as a piston face similar to a three-legged stool with three short and thick legs with openings in-between and the bottom side of the stool seat formed by the integrated molded sealing surface abuts the seat(s) of the port while the three legs work as feet abutting the bottom of the groove surrounding the seat(s) at the same time to seal off the gas flow.

[0067] In some embodiments, the first end of the elongated spring-loaded closing member with the integrated molded sealing surface of the protective device of the gas pressure regulation device is configured with openings in-between three protrusions or legs of which each protrusion or leg ends with a free end or foot at a predetermined distance from the integrated molded sealing surface as measured in a direction perpendicular to the integrated molded sealing surface, which three feet work as the predetermined stops contacting the bottom of the groove and / or the base of the seat(s) when the integrated molded sealing surface sea lingly engages the seat(s), which three feet are equidistantly arranged around the integrated molded sealing surface to provide symmetrically arranged and large openings between the feet.

[0068] In some embodiments, the three feet of the first end of the elongated spring-loaded closing member with the integrated molded sealing surface of the protective device of the gas pressure regulation device are symmetrically arranged around the integrated molded sealing surface to provide a triangular shaped front face with openings between the feet.

[0069] This enables a quick and safer release of gas as the openings provides less resistance, thereby enabling a higher flow of gas during a shorter time when gas is released through the port by means of the protective device opening when the gas has a pressure being higher than the predetermined / -set gas relief pressure. Another advantage with the pressure regulation device or regulator according to the above aspect and embodiments and the disclosure is that the pressure regulator is reliable over 10 years of its predicted life.

[0070] Hence, it is to be understood that the herein disclosed disclosure is not limited to the particular component parts of the device described or steps of the methods described since such device and method may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context explicitly dictates otherwise. Thus, e.g., reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may include several devices, and the like. Furthermore, the words "comprising", "including", "containing" and similar wordings does not exclude other elements or steps.

[0071] Terminology -- The term "downstream / upstream" is to be interpreted as a relative positioning of entities in relation to a direction of flow, in this case gas flow, i.e., CO2 gas flow when discharged from or out of a CO2 container and into a pressure regulator and then out of the pressure regulator and into a beverage container and / or out of a pressure relief valve in the pressure regulator, not in the direction of CO2 gas flow when the CO2 container is filled or replenished with CO2. The terms "tightly / tight" mean(s) entities being close together and / or fitting very close to each other and / or being arranged snug relative each other with so close structure and / or tolerances that undesired flow of liquid / fluid and / or gas is controlled or at least eliminated or prevented from passing or escaping past the entities when not intended, i.e., when in a closed state, to be leakproof. The term "flexible" means entities capable of being flexed or pliant or providing a flexibility or pliancy between entities and / or to one or more entities giving any entity the ability to yield to pressure and which may or may not be resilient or elastic but which can be bent or bulge or folded without breaking and spring back or return to original shape without breaking or any sign of injury / damage.

[0072] Brief of the

[0073] The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of example embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 shows in perspective a gas consuming system in the form of a beverage dispensing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] Figure 2 shows in a top view from above the gas consuming system of fig. 1.

[0075] Figure 3 shows in a side view the gas consuming system of figs. 1 and 2.

[0076] Figure 4 shows a perspective of a gas pressure regulation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0077] Figure 5 shows in perspective an exploded view of the gas pressure regulation device to more clearly show all the inner parts making up the gas pressure regulation device in fig. 4.

[0078] Figure 6 shows an exploded side view of the gas pressure regulation device in figs. 4 and 5.

[0079] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the gas pressure regulation device in figs. 5 and 6 along line A - A of fig. 5 in a non-operational state.

[0080] Figure 8 shows in perspective an exploded view of an inner gas pressure control valve unit or cartridge of the gas pressure regulation device as shown in figs. 5, 6 and 7 to more clearly show all the inner parts making up the inner gas pressure control valve unit or cartridge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0081] Figure 9 shows an exploded side view of the inner gas pressure control valve unit or cartridge in fig. 8.

[0082] Figure 10 shows an exploded cross-sectional side view of the inner gas pressure control valve unit or cartridge of the gas pressure regulation device as shown in fig. 9.

[0083] Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional side view of the inner gas pressure control valve unit or cartridge of the gas pressure regulation device as shown in figs. 8 to 10 when assembled together according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a closed state, i.e., not in operation.

[0084] Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional side view of the inner gas pressure control valve unit or cartridge of the gas pressure regulation device as shown in figs. 8 to 11 when assembled together according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in an open state, i.e., in operation. Figure 13 shows a cutout enlarged cross-sectional view A from a part of the inner gas pressure control valve unit or cartridge of the gas pressure regulation device as shown in fig. 12 to show the opening and closing section of the valve cartridge in more detail.

[0085] Detailed description

[0086] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings 1 to 13, in which preferred example embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the herein disclosed embodiments. The disclosed embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to the skilled person. All the figures are highly schematic and not necessarily to scale, and they show only those parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, other parts being omitted or merely suggested.

[0087] Figures 1, 2 and 3 show a primary gas pressure regulation device 10 detachably attached to a container 1 comprising pressurized gas, preferably CO2. Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 show the primary gas pressure regulation device 10 detachably attached with one outlet or port 121 to a protective device 300 with a cap 340. The protective device 300 is a pressure relief / safety valve configured to discharge CO2 gas 400 when the gas has a pressure being higher than a predetermined pressure through the first outlet 121. The primary gas pressure regulation device 10 is detachably attached with another outlet or port 122 to an opening or inlet 2 of the CO2 container 1 via a gas delivering line 150 to enable fluid communication between the opening 2 of the CO2 container 1 and the other inlet or port 122 of the gas pressure regulation device 10. The gas pressure regulation device 10 comprises a housing 100 with a first end 110 and a second end 120.

[0088] The housing 100 of the gas pressure regulation device 10 is a two-part body comprising a first housing part 101 and a second housing part 102. The first and the second housing parts 101, 102 are configured to be detachably threaded together to make up the whole housing 100 as shown in figs. 4 to 7. The first housing part 101 comprises the first housing end 110. The second housing part 102 comprises the second housing end 120. The first housing part or housing half 101 comprises an outer thread 105 at an end opposite the first housing end 110. The outer thread 105 is configured to enable the detachable attachment with the second housing part or housing half 102 by fitting into an inner thread 106 in an end of the second housing part 102 opposite the second housing end 120. The first housing end 110 comprises a first opening 111 configured to detachably receive - through the first opening 111 - and house or hold a lid or cover 11 and a pressure adjustment screw 12 as part of a pressure adjusting device. The lid 11 is configured to close the first opening 111 when the housing 100 is assembled together. The pressure adjustment screw 12 is configured to be threaded into and through the first opening 111 by means of an inner threaded channel or bore in the first housing part 101 to engage with a protruding screw end against a metal washer or plate 13 of the pressure adjusting device at the other side of the threaded channel. The metal washer 13 is configured to transfer and distribute a pushing force from the engaging end of the pressure adjustment screw 12 when screwed further into the inner threaded channel towards and to and onto an inner first pressure compensating spring 14 inside the first housing part 101. The first pressure compensating spring 14 also forms part of the pressure adjusting device that further comprises a washer and glide ring 15 configured to form a sealing and gliding surface between the two housing parts 101, 102 and a diaphragm 16 as shown in figs. 5, 6, and 7 during and after assembly of the housing 100.

[0089] The diaphragm 16 works as a pressure adjustment membrane as in a single-stage gas pressure regulator using a diaphragm to alter the size of a pressure chamber in response to the gas pressure from the gas container 1 in cooperation with an inner detachable pressure control valve unit or cartridge 20 at one or first side 16A of the membrane 16 balanced against the force from the pressure adjustment screw 12 biasing the first pressure compensating spring 14 at the other or second side 16B of the membrane 16 to push the plate 15 onto the second side 16B of the membrane 16 and this volume and size changing functionality for pressure regulation in a single-stage pressure regulator 10 by use of a diaphragm 16 will not be explained in more detail herein. The pressure adjusting device also comprises a sealing in the form of an O-ring 17 to seal off the outside of the inner detachable pressure control valve cartridge 20 being detachably arranged in the pressure chamber. The pressure chamber in the pressure regulation device 10 is achieved by a volume formed via an inner centre flow path or bore or chamber or manifold 103 in the second housing part 102 provided with an inner thread configured to enable a valve body 50 of the inner detachable pressure control valve cartridge 20 having an outer thread 51 to be detachably screwed into the pressure chamber 103. The sealing 17 is arranged in the second housing part 102 and sealingly contacts a nonthreaded part of the inner detachable pressure control valve cartridge 20 when assembled as seen in fig. 7. This is done in order for any gas entering the pressure chamber of the gas pressure regulation device housing 100 from the gas inlet 122 to only pass or flow through the inside 24, 27, 28 of the inner pressure control valve cartridge or unit 20 when open. To enable an easier assembly of the housing 100 and a tight and leakproof connection between the diaphragm 16 being arranged in the second housing part 102 by insertion therein and leakproof fluid communication with the inner detachable pressure control valve cartridge 20 inside the second housing part and the first housing part 101, the combined washer and glide ring 15 is configured to be arranged between the two housing parts 101, 102 in contact with an outer area or rim or surface of the second side 16B of the diaphragm 16 opposite the first side 16A. This combined washer and glide ring 15 is configured to form a gliding contact surface between the ends of the housing parts 101, 102 when these two housing parts are screwed together end-to-end (one housing part 101 has an outer thread 105 for detachable screw connection with an inner thread 106 of the other housing part 102, and in some embodiments, the inner / outer threads could be arranged reversed). The washer and glide ring 15 enables a smooth and leakproof and non-deforming assembly of the diaphragm 16 as the two housing parts 101, 102 while being rotated only contacts and glides against / on the surface of the washer and glide ring 15 and not against the diaphragm 16 as then more friction would be created risking deforming the diaphragm by wrinkling it, which in that case would risk destroying the diaphragm 16 and / or at least make contacting surfaces not fitting together or abutting in a leakproof way. In some embodiments, the outer thread 105 on the first housing part 101 is arranged about / at / on an upstanding circumferential edge or flange 107 opposite the first housing end 110. The upstanding circumferential flange 107 is configured to face, abut and slidingly contact a first side of the outer circumferential rim section 15B of the plate 15 during turning of the first and / or second housing parts 101,102 until the first and second housing parts 101,102 are finally threaded together to finish the assembly of the housing 100. In some embodiments, the inner thread 106 on the second housing part 102 is arranged at or ends at or ends before or ends above an inner circumferential shelf 108 inside the second housing part 102. The inner circumferential shelf 108 is configured to form a support for the outer circumference of the first side 16A of the diaphragm 16 and the outer circumference of the second side 16B of the diaphragm opposite the first diaphragm side 16A is configured to form a support for a second side of the outer circumferential rim section 15B of the plate 15 opposite the first side of the outer circumferential rim section. Thes second side of the outer circumferential rim section 15B is configured to face the second housing end 120 during assembly when the first and second housing parts 101,102 are threaded together.

[0090] The inner pressure control valve cartridge 20 as shown in more detail in figs. 5 to 13 comprises - when assembled together as shown in figs. 5 to 7 and 11 to 12 - a first spring loaded movable closing member or piston 21 with a stem 34; a first inner bore or cavity 22; a second inner bore or cavity or outlet 24; a third inner bore or cavity 27, and a fourth inner bore or cavity 28 (these cavities are all in fluid communication as one common cavity but in the disclosure these cavities are explained as separate ones as they may have different shapes and sizes). The inner cavities 22, 27 and 28 are configured to receive a second spring loaded movable closing member or top pin 26 shaped as a mushroom with a flat and smooth head 26A being configured to be actuated by the first side 16A of the diaphragm 16 together with the first spring loaded movable closing piston 21 in a reciprocating movement when the pressure regulation device 10 is in operation to enable opening and closing the gas flow 400 as needed, see fig. 12 showing the open state of the inner pressure control valve cartridge 20.

[0091] According to the disclosure, the pressure adjustment member 12 is accessible at the first valve housing end 110 through at least one port 111 to enable moving the pressure adjustment member towards and away from one end of the spring 14 to set a predetermined spring force acting on the second diaphragm side 16B via the plate or washer 15 at the other end of the spring 14. The washer 15 is configured to distribute the spring force on the second diaphragm side 16B. The washer 15 is made of moldable polymeric material. The washer 15 is made of moldable polymeric flexible material. The washer 15 comprises a centre section 15A being a hub. The centre hub section 15A is configured to be biased by the spring 14 to contact the second side 16B of the diaphragm 16. The washer 15 comprises an outer section 15B being a circumferential rim around the centre hub section 15A. The centre hub section 15A and the outer rim section 15B are integrated in the washer 15. The centre hub section 15A and the outer rim section 15B are interconnected with each other via a flexible connection 15C. The flexible connection 15C of the washer 15 is achieved by one, two, three or more spoke-like members configured to hold the centre hub section 15A and the outer rim section 15B together as one common washer 15 while providing a springy and / or pliable and / or resilient ability to the washer 15 enabling the centre hub section 15A and the outer rim section 15B to bend and / or flex relative each other. The one, two, three or more spoke-like members 15C extend(s) radially between the centre hub section 15A and the outer rim section 15B in the extension plane of the common plate 15 with a curved and / or bent shape and / or extends radially along a curve in a tangential direction in the extension plane of the common washer 15 and relative the circumference of the common washer 15. In some embodiments, four spoke-like members form the flexible connection 15C and are distributed evenly along the circumference of the washer 15 between the centre hub section 15A and the outer rim section 15B. Choosing the number of spoke-like members to form the flexible connection 15C provides a better controllable flexibility of the plate 15, i.e., the inherent flexing ability for the plate 15 is easier and more accurately predicted and made according to need, i.e., adaptable to relative pressures and / or dimensions used for different operational and / or regulation- related applications and / or demands for the primary gas pressure regulation device 10.

[0092] In some embodiments, the first side 16A of the diaphragm 16 is configured to be supported by the inner circumferential shelf 108 arranged at and inside the end of the second housing part 102 opposite the second housing end 120. In some embodiments, the outer circumferential rim section 15B of the plate 15 is configured to be arranged in contact with and between the second side 16B of the diaphragm 16 and the upstanding circumferential flange 107 of the first housing part 101. The upstanding circumferential flange 107 of the first housing part 101 is arranged at the end of the first housing part opposite the first housing end 110 during assembly when the first and second housing parts 101,102 are threaded together. In some embodiments, the plate 15 is made of a moldable polymeric material with friction properties that hinder the plate from sliding with the side in contact with and against the second side 16B of the diaphragm 16 made of rubber during assembly of the housing 100 by threading the two housing parts 101, 102 together while - at the same time - these friction properties of the plate 15 enables for the first and / or second housing parts 101, 102 being turned during the assembly together to slide against an opposite other side of the plate 15, i.e. to slide along and against the outer rim section 15B. In some embodiments, one first diaphragm side 16A is configured to engage a flat head 26A of the pin to actuate the pin 26 and thereby indirectly the piston 21 to move the pin and the piston together. In some embodiments, the second side 16B of the diaphragm 16 is configured to contact and be actuated by the centre hub section 15A of the spring-loaded plate 15 as shown in dotted lines in fig. 12. In some embodiments, the first diaphragm side 16A comprises a circular bulge 16C extending unbroken around the centre of the diaphragm 16. In some embodiments, the circular bulge 16C is configured to engage and sealingly contact the flat head 26A of the pin 26 during actuation of the pin and the piston 21. In some embodiments, the diaphragm 16 comprises a centre through hole 16D and the plate 15 comprises a centre through hole 15D. In some embodiments, these two centre through holes 15D,16D are aligned. In some embodiments, the centre hub section 15A of the plate 15 has a convex shape or is bulging towards the second side 16B of the diaphragm 16. In some embodiments, the centre hub section 15A of the plate 15 has a slightly convex shape or is somewhat bulging towards the second side 16B of the diaphragm 16.

[0093] All or some of the inner bores 22, 24, 27, 28 and 31 of the inner pressure control valve cartridge 20 of the gas pressure regulation device 10 may in some embodiments be at least partly in fluid communication as gas 400 may flow along the easiest and least resistful paths to fill cavities / bores but the gas of course does not flow further into or through any inner bore being closed or sealed. The inner pressure control valve cartridge 20 and the at least one flow path 22, 27, 28 enable CO2 400 to only pass from the CO2 container 1 into the inlet 122 of the housing 100 of the gas pressure regulation device 10 and to the outlet 24 at the second end of the body 50 when the inner pressure control valve cartridge 20 is open. The valve body outlet 24 is arranged downstream of the piston 21 and the sealing element 25 seen in the flow direction of the CO2 400 when the inner pressure control valve cartridge 20 is sufficiently open and discharges CO2. Hence, the housing 100 and the inner pressure control valve cartridge 20 each has at least one flow path in the form of inner bores / cavities / ports 22, 24, 27, 28, 121 to 125 through which CO2400 is able to pass as a flow 400 shown with non-solid arrows and dotted lines from the CO2 container 1 when CO2400 is discharged out of the container and into the inlet 122 and further into the pressure chamber 103 and through the inner pressure control valve cartridge, see figs 7 to 13 and into the chamber closed off by the diaphragm 16.

[0094] Figs. 7 and 11 show the inner pressure control valve cartridge 20 of the gas pressure regulation device 10 when not operating, i.e., when the gas pressure regulation device 10 is not being used for regulating flow of gas / CCh 400 (discharge of gas / CCh from the container 1) into the beverage container 175, in other words, the inner pressure control valve cartridge 20 is shown closed or shut-off. Figs. 12 and 13 show the inner pressure control valve cartridge 20 when open / used for gas 400 filling from the gas / CCh container 1 via its opening 2 to the beverage container 175. In fig. 3, the gas pressure regulation device 10 is shown in an optional embodiment when / used for discharge of gas / C02400 from the container 1 via its opening 2 and into the beverage container 175 by means of one and / or two additional or secondary gas regulating devices 60 (schematically shown) besides or in combination with the primary gas pressure regulation device 10 according to the disclosure.

[0095] The inner pressure control valve cartridge 20 of the gas pressure regulation device 10 is spring loaded and configured to reduce the pressure of the CO2400 coming from the CO2 container 1 from a first pressure to a second pressure when flowing through the housing or body 50 and past the piston 21 and into the low-pressure chamber enclosed by the diaphragm 16. In an embodiment of the inner pressure control valve cartridge 20 of the gas pressure regulation device 10 having the pressure reduction piston 21 with sealing surfaces 38 as shown in figs. 7 to 13 arranged between the stem 34 of the piston 21 and the inner cavity 31, the piston 21 seals against the sealing element 25 being made of polypropylene glycol (PPG) with a molecular weight of 1000 (PP1000) or a thermoplastic polymer (TPE) that give more precise sealing and regulation results without needing any high-pressure testing when using the gas pressure regulation device 10 compared to previous solutions where the sealing elements were made in Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). In some embodiments, the second housing part 102 comprises an inner thread 104 in the chamber 103 into which the body 50 of the inner detachable pressure control valve unit 20 with the outer thread 51 is configured to be detachably assembled by threading. According to the disclosure, the sealing element 25 comprises a centre opening 37 configured to movably receive the stem 34 of the piston 21. The sealing element 25 is configured to be introduced into and tightly fitted in the inner cavities or bores 27, 28 downstream of the pin 26 to only let gas 400 flow through the centre opening 37 and past the piston stem 34 into the upstream cavities or bores 22, 24 and out of the body 50 of the inner valve unit 20 when in the open state as shown in fig. 12 (fig. 13 shows the open state with a gap between the piston stem 34 and sealing element 25 in more detail).

[0096] According to the disclosure, the piston 21 comprises an inner cavity 31 arranged opposite the stem 34. The inner piston cavity 31 is configured to receive a spring 23. The gas flow path or inner cavity or bore 28 downstream of the piston 21 is configured to detachably receive and hold a locking plate 30 in place inside the inner cavity 28 and against the inside of the body 50 downstream of the piston 21. The locking plate 30 is made of plastic and / or polymeric material. The locking plate 30 has a shape similar to a three-bladed propeller. The locking plate 30 comprises a centre hub having an upstream protruding pin or guide 32 with three legs 33 protruding symmetrically and radially from the guide 32. The protruding guide 32 is configured to fit into the spring 23. The protruding legs 33 are configured to be snapped past inner protrusions 29 on the inside of the cavity 28. The inner protrusions 29 act as hooks and supports for the locking plate 30 to enable for the locking plate to act as an anvil against the spring 23 inside the piston cavity 31 to bias the spring 23 towards the piston 21 when the inner detachable pressure control valve unit 20 is assembled together. This pushes the piston 21 into sealing engagement with the inner sealing element 25 in the closed state of the inner detachable pressure control valve unit 20 as shown in figs. 7 and 11. The sealing engagement between the piston 21 and the sealing element 25 is achieved by sealing surfaces 38 on the piston 21 contacting the sealing element 25 around and in the sealing element opening 37 as shown in figs. 7 and 11. The piston sealing surfaces 38 are arranged between the inner piston cavity 31 and the piston stem 34 upstream of the locking plate 30. The piston sealing surfaces 38 are slanted at an angle of about 45° relative to the extensions of the stem 34 and away from the stem 34 to sea lingly engage the inner sealing element 25 in the closed state. The part of the piston 21 comprising the inner cavity 31 configured to receive the spring 23 comprises outer rounded corners 39A. The part of the piston 21 comprising the inner cavity 31 configured to receive the spring 23 comprises outer intermediary surfaces / areas 39B between the corners 39A of piston 21. In some embodiments, the part of the piston 21 comprising the inner cavity 31 for receiving the spring 23 comprises four outer intermediary surfaces / areas 39B between four corners 39A. In some embodiments, the outer rounded corners 39A of the piston have the same outer radius corresponding to the inner radius of the inner cavity 27, 28 of the inner detachable valve unit 20.

[0097] In an embodiment, the valve assembly 10 comprises a protective device 300 arranged at / in the other or the second housing opening or port or outlet 121 and comprises a spring- loaded movable inner piston 310 to discharge CO2 when the pressure in the CO2 container 1 and / or the pressure regulation device 10 is higher than a predetermined pressure. The pressure relief or protective valve 300 is arranged on the first housing end 110 and / or the second housing end 120. The pressure relief valve 300 projects radially out from the outer face of the valve housing 100. In some embodiments, the protective device 300 comprises an elongated spring-loaded closing member 310. The elongated spring-loaded closing member 310 is made by two component injection molding to provide a first end 311 of the elongated spring-loaded closing member with an integrated molded sealing surface or face 313. The integrated molded sealing surface 313 is made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) configured to face and sealingly engage or abut a seat 126 inside the gas outlet port 121 when the gas 400 has a pressure being lower than a predetermined gas relief pressure. The first end 311 of the movable closing member 310, i.e., the face 312 is configured to sealingly contact the seat(s) 126 inside the port 121 to hinder outflow of any gas 400, e.g., CO2, through an inner orifice 129 of the port and out through a hole 128 (see fig. 7) in the wall of the port 121 to the surrounding when the gas has a pressure being lower than the predetermined relief pressure.

[0098] According to the disclosure, the protective device 300 comprises a gas relief pressure adjustment spring 320, a gas relief pressure adjustment member 330 and the cap 340. The cap 340 has two functions. The first function is a tamper evident protection to avoid customers changing the pressure relief pressure (PRV) settings. The second function is to vent the pressure regulator 10 and / or to release gas pressure by pulling the elongated movable closing member 310, e.g., by a ring, to move its first end 313 out of sealing engagement with seat 126, in some embodiments, upwards as the port 121 points somewhat upwards. Each of the gas relief pressure adjustment member 330 and the cap 340 comprises centre openings or through holes 331, 341 as shown in figs. 4, 5 and 7. The centre through holes 331 and 341 are configured to receive an elongated second end 314 of the elongated spring-loaded closing member 310 - the elongated second end 314 is arranged opposite the first end 311 - together with the gas relief pressure adjustment spring 320 being slid over the elongated second end to expose the second end 314 at the cap, see figs. 4 and 7. The second end 314 of the movable closing member 310 has in some embodiments a through hole 315 being accessible through the cap opening 341 to enable attaching a pull ring etc. for the optional or in some cases necessary venting of the pressure regulator 10 if needed as explained above, see figs. 6 and 7 showing the through hole 315 at the lower part of the port 121.

[0099] The integrated molded sealing surface 313 of the elongated spring-loaded closing member 310 is biased by the gas relief pressure adjustment spring 320 into sealing engagement with one or more seats 126 inside the gas outlet port 121 when the gas 400 has a pressure being lower than a predetermined gas relief pressure by means of the gas relief pressure adjustment member 330. The gas relief pressure adjustment member 330 has a ringshape with an outer thread configured to be detachably threaded into an inner thread in the gas outlet port 121 towards the gas relief pressure adjustment spring 320. This enables the ring-shape of the gas relief pressure adjustment member 330 to engage and bias the gas relief pressure adjustment spring 320 between the gas relief pressure adjustment member 330 and the first end 311 of the elongated spring-loaded closing member 310 to have the integrated molded sealing surface 313 abutting / contacting and pushing against the inner seat(s) 126 of the gas outlet port 121 as shown in fig. 7 to set a predetermined gas relief pressure. Beer systems usually work with a pressure relief valve (PRV) configured for a gas pressure of 4 bar and soft drink systems with a PRV pressure of 7 bar.

[0100] According to the disclosure, the first end 311 of the elongated spring-loaded closing member 310 comprises more than one or two protrusions or legs 312 extending in parallel with the elongated spring-loaded closing member 310 away from the first and the second ends 311, 314 and beyond the integrated molded sealing surface 313 to end with at least one free end or foot at a predetermined distance from the integrated molded sealing surface 313 and / or to end with a predetermined length as measured in a direction perpendicular to the integrated molded sealing surface as shown in figs. 5, 6 and 7. The predetermined distance and / or protruding length of the legs 312 is / are adapted to correspond to the depth of an inner channel or groove 127 surrounding the inner seats 126 inside the gas outlet port 121 and / or the height of the inner seats 126 inside the gas outlet port 121 to provide a predetermined stop against the bottom of the groove 127 and / or the base of the seats 126. This is done to securely control the compression of the integrated molded sealing surface 313 to sealingly engage the seats 126 when the gas 400 has a pressure being lower than the predetermined / - set gas relief pressure and not be over compressed against the seats. These protrusions or legs 312 of the first end 311 extend a predetermined distance from the first end 311 and the integrated molded TPE-sealing surface or face 313 towards the inside of the housing 100 and the port 121 when assembled in the housing. This protruding distance is adapted to enable the protruding legs 312 to abut a circumferential surface around the inner orifice 129 of the port 121 and the seat(s) 126 - when the predetermined relief pressure is set by threading the gas relief pressure adjustment member or nut or screw 330 a preset distance into the port 121 while biasing the spring 320 into a predetermined load to push the sealing face 313 sea lingly against the seat 126 around the orifice 129 - to avoid over compressing the integrated and / or molded TPE sealing 313.

[0101] According to the disclosure, the outer part of the piston 21 comprising the inner cavity 31 for the spring 23 is shaped with four rounded outer corners 39A shown in figs. 8 and 9. The four corners 39A have in some embodiments the same radius and extend along the length of the piston 21. The four rounded corners 39A form guides for the piston 21 when moving, i.e. reciprocating inside the inner cavity / -ies 27, 28 of the inner detachable pressure control valve unit 20. The outer part of the piston 21 comprising the inner cavity 31 for the spring 23 is shaped with four outer surface areas or sections 39B arranged between and extending along the corners 39A as shown in figs. 8 and 9. The four outer surface areas 39B form gas flow channels between the inside of the inner cavity / -ies 27, 28 of the inner detachable pressure control valve unit 20 and the outside of the piston 21 when the inner detachable pressure control valve unit 20 opens or is open as shown in figs. 12 and 13.

[0102] According to the disclosure, the first end 311 of the elongated spring-loaded closing member 310 with the integrated molded sealing surface 313 comprises three legs 312 shown in fig. 5. These three legs 312 are arranged intermittently along the circumference of the first end 311 at equal distances from each other. These three legs 312 form an edge divided into three crenellation-like protrusions with openings in-between the protrusions. These legs or crenellation-like protrusions 312 surround the integrated molded sealing surface as shown on figs. 5. 6 and 7. These feet- and crenellation-like protrusions 312 form the predetermined stops as feet contacting the bottom of the groove 127 and / or the base of the seat(s) 126 when the integrated molded sealing surface 313 sealingly engages the seat(s) as shown in fig. 7.

[0103] According to the disclosure, the first end 311 of the elongated spring-loaded closing member 310 is configured as a piston face similar to a three-legged stool as shown in fig. 5. This piston face or three-legged stool 311 has three short and thick legs 312 with openings in- between as shown in figs. 5, 6 and 7. The bottom side of the stool seat is formed by the integrated molded sealing surface 313 as shown in figs. 5, 6 and 7. This bottom side 313 of the first end 311 or the stool seat abuts the seat(s) 126 of the port 121 while the three legs 312 work as feet abutting the bottom of the groove 127 surrounding the seat(s) at the same time to seal off the gas flow as shown in fig. 7. In other words, the first end 311 of the elongated spring-loaded closing member 310 is configured with openings in-between the three protrusions or legs 312. Each protrusion or leg 312 ends with a free end or foot at the predetermined distance from the integrated molded sealing surface 313 in a direction perpendicular to the integrated molded sealing surface. These three feet 312 work as the predetermined stops contacting the bottom of the groove 127 and / or the base of the seat(s) 126 when the integrated molded sealing surface 313 sealingly engages the seat(s) as shown in fig. 7. The three feet 312 are equidistantly arranged around the integrated molded sealing surface 313 to provide symmetrically arranged and large openings between the feet as shown in figs. 5, 6 and 7. The three feet 312 of the first end of the elongated spring-loaded closing member 310 are symmetrically arranged around the integrated molded sealing surface 313 to provide a triangular shaped front face with openings between the feet 312 as shown in figs. 5, 6 and 7.

[0104] In the inner detachable pressure control valve unit 20, the spring 23 forces the closing piston 21 upwards to the closed position of the inner detachable pressure control valve unit 20 (as shown in Figs. 7 and 11). The inner bore 22 extends into bores and outlets 24 that end or exit into and through and from an upper outer groove 24 on the body 50 arranged at a distance from an upper end of the body 50 of the inner detachable pressure control valve unit 20, which distance is shorter than the distance between the outer groove 24 and the bottom cavity 28 and hooks 29. The closing member or piston 21 has at least one narrowing area where the diameter of the piston 21 is smaller than the rest of the piston, i.e., the stem 34 has a smaller diameter than the rest of the piston, which diameter increases from the stem towards and along the sealing surfaces 38 and into the part of the piston 21 with the largest diameter having the inner cavity 31. Hence, in the open position as shown in Fig. 12 and 13, the gas 400 may flow past the outside of the piston 21 and the outside of the stem 34 between the inside of the inner bores 22, 24, 27 and 28 and the outside of the sealing element 25 and through its centre opening 37.

[0105] The gas pressure regulation device 10 comprises in some embodiments a high-pressure indicator 40 and a low-pressure indicator 41 as shown in figs 1 to 4. The high-pressure indicator 40 is configured to be in fluid communication with a gas outlet or port 123 of the gas pressure regulation device 10. The low-pressure indicator 41 is configured to be in fluid communication with a gas outlet or port 124 of the gas pressure regulation device 10. In some embodiments, a shut-off valve 140 with a manual handle 141 for opening and closing the valve 140 is in fluid communication with a gas outlet or port 125 of the gas pressure regulation device 10 as shown in fig. 4. In some embodiments, the shut-off valve 140 with the manual handle 141 for opening and closing the valve 140 is arranged between and in fluid communication with the gas outlet or port 125 of the gas pressure regulation device 10 and the gas supply line 177 leading gas 400 to the beverage container 175 as shown in fig. 4.

[0106] In figs. 1, 2, and 3, an embodiment of a shield 3 around a gas container valve 4, 5, 6 is arranged for protecting the gas container valve and the opening 2 against damage.

[0107] In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a gas consuming system is shown as an embodiment of a beverage dispensing system 200 for dispensing beverages. The beverage dispensing system 200 comprises a gas delivering system comprising the CO2 cylinder 1 having a valve assembly 4, 5, 6 cooperating with one or more gas pressure regulation devices 10, 60 as shown in fig. 3. The gas delivery system is configured to deliver a predetermined gas pressure to one or more beverage containers 175 having an extractor tube (not shown). A dispense head 176 is coupled to the opening 2 and thereby the valve assembly 4, 5, 6 of the beverage container 175 and the extractor tube and is configured to enable leading CO2, from the gas cylinder 1 through the primary gas pressure regulation device(s) 10 in some embodiments and / or the secondary gas pressure regulation device(s) 60 in some embodiments to and through a gas supply line 177 leading from the pressure regulation device(s) 10 / 60 into the beverage container 175 wherein the CO2 is used to expel the beverage from the beverage container 175 into the dispensing line 178 for further use (not shown).

[0108] In some embodiments, the at least one port being a gas inlet 122 is configured to detachably connect the gas pressure regulation device(s) 10 to and be in fluid communication with one or more openings 2 via one or more valve assemblies 4, 5, 6 of one or more containers 1 comprising pressurized gas 400 being CO2 or N2. In some embodiments, one other of the ports being a gas outlet 125 is configured to detachably connect the gas pressure regulation device(s) 10 to and be in fluid communication with one or more beverage containers 175 via one or more detachable gas supply lines 177. In some embodiments, two other ports being gas outlets 123, 124 of the gas pressure regulation device(s) 10 are configured to detachably connect the gas pressure regulation device(s) to and be in fluid communication with one or more of a first and a second gas pressure measuring device 40, 41, respectively. According to the disclosure, the pressure regulation device(s) 10 is / are in some embodiments primary while the other gas pressure regulation and / or gas filling control device(s) 60 is / are secondary and / or optional but still many such gas pressure regulation devices - for safety reasons - need one or more safety valves, i.e. such as one or more of the protective devices 300. Hence, such a protective device 300 as disclosed herein is also applicable to other gas pressure regulation devices than the one disclosed herein as long as such other gas pressure regulation devices have at least one port dedicated for excess gas pressure release as such a port is possible to design to be adapted for the disclosed protective device 300, such as with fitting seat(s) 126, surrounding groove(s) 127, through hole(s) 128 in the wall of the port(s) and inner orifice(s) 129 as many ports have at least a protruding length and therefore both an inner orifice and an outlet obviously.

[0109] NOMENCLATURE

[0110] 1: Container comprising pressurized CO2

[0111] 2: Opening of the pressurized CO2 container 1

[0112] 3: Flange / Shield of the pressurized CO2 container 1

[0113] 4: Valve comprising a valve housing to be connected to the container opening 2

[0114] 5: First valve housing end connected to the upstream gas delivering line 150

[0115] 6: Second valve housing end connected to the downstream container opening 2

[0116] 10: Primary gas pressure regulation device

[0117] 11: Lid / Cover or a knob or grip or handle to adjust pressure setting

[0118] 12: Pressure adjustment member or pin or screw

[0119] 13: Plate / Washer for transferring evenly force from the member 12 to the spring 14

[0120] 14: First pressure compensating spring

[0121] 15: Washer / Plate and glide / sealing ring

[0122] 15A: Centre section of plate 15 being a hub

[0123] 15B: Outer section of plate 15 being a circumferentially surrounding rim

[0124] 15C: Flexible interconnection between centre and outer section

[0125] 15D: Centre through hole in plate 15 / centre section / hub 15A

[0126] 16: Inner pressure adjustment membrane / diaphragm

[0127] 16A: First side of the diaphragm contacting pin 26

[0128] 16B: Second side of the diaphragm contacting plate 15

[0129] 16C: Circular centre bulge on first diaphragm side 16A to seal against head of pin 26

[0130] 16D: Centre through hole in diaphragm 16

[0131] 17: Sealing / O-ring

[0132] 18: Buffer plate for more even distribution of pressurized gas against diaphragm 16

[0133] 20: Inner detachable pressure control valve unit / cartridge

[0134] 21: First spring loaded movable closing member or piston

[0135] 22: First longitudinal / vertical extending inner bore or cavity

[0136] 23: Pressure control spring

[0137] 24: Upper circumferential groove with radial outlets / bores from first inner bore 22

[0138] 25: Inner sealing ring element

[0139] 26: Second spring loaded movable closing member / top pin

[0140] 26A: Flat and smooth head of pin 26

[0141] 27: Second inner bore or cavity or flow path

[0142] 28: Third inner bore or cavity or flow path

[0143] 29: Inner hooks / protrusions at orifice of inner bore 28 to hold locking plate 30 in place 30: Closing / Holding / Lid / Locking plate made of plastic / polymeric material

[0144] 31: Inner cavity of first spring loaded movable closing member 21 to receive spring 23

[0145] 32: Protrusion of locking plate 29 configured to fit into spring 23 as a guide

[0146] 33: Legs of locking plate 29 configured to snap past hooks 29 into third inner bore 28

[0147] 34: Stem of first closing member / piston 21

[0148] 35: Outer protrusions / hooks on end part of stem 34

[0149] 36: Inner cavity of top pin 26 configured to hold end part and hooks 35 of stem 34

[0150] 37: Opening of ring sealing element 25 configured to enable stem 34 to reciprocate

[0151] 38: Sealing surfaces of the piston 21

[0152] 39A: Outer rounded corner(s) of piston 21

[0153] 39B: Outer intermediary surface(s) / area(s) between corners of piston 21

[0154] 40: First gas pressure measuring device, such as a manometer

[0155] 41: Second gas pressure measuring device, such as a manometer

[0156] 50: Body / Housing of inner pressure control valve unit / cartridge 20

[0157] 51: Outer thread of housing 50

[0158] 60: Secondary / Optional gas pressure regulation and / or gas filling control device

[0159] 100: Housing / Body of the gas pressure regulation device 10

[0160] 101: First housing part of the primary gas pressure regulation device 10

[0161] 102: Second housing part of the primary gas pressure regulation device 10

[0162] 103: Inner / Centre flow path / bore / chamber / manifold of the valve housing / body 100

[0163] 104: Inner thread of flow chamber 103 to receive cartridge 20

[0164] 105: Outer thread of first housing part 101

[0165] 106: Inner thread of second housing part 102

[0166] 107: Upstanding circumferential flange on first housing part 101 opposite first end 110

[0167] 108: Inner circumferential shelf on second housing part 102 opposite second end 120

[0168] 110: First housing end of the primary gas pressure regulation device 10

[0169] 111: First opening or port of housing 100.

[0170] 120: Second housing end of the primary gas pressure regulation device 10

[0171] 121: Second housing opening / port for fluid communication with protective device 300

[0172] 122: Third housing opening / port for fluid communication with gas delivery line 150

[0173] 123: Fourth port for fluid communication with one pressure measuring device 40

[0174] 124: Fifth port for fluid communication with another pressure measuring device 41

[0175] 125: Sixth opening / port for fluid communication with gas supply line 177

[0176] 126: Seat around inner orifice 129 for leak proof contact with closing member 310 127: Channel / Groove for legs 312 to stop against when sufficient sealing force / pressure is reached for the integrated TPE-sealing surface 313

[0177] 128: Hole through wall of outlet or port 121 to let out gas 400 at excess pressure 129: Inner orifice of port 121 leading into / out of housing 100 and pressure chamber 130: Threaded protrusion of housing 100 enabling optional detachable attachment 140: Manual shut-off valve

[0178] 141: Shut-off or opening handle

[0179] 150: Gas delivering line connected to the third housing inlet / port 122

[0180] 175: Beverage container

[0181] 176: Dispense head

[0182] 177: Gas supply line

[0183] 178: Beverage dispensing line

[0184] 200: Beverage dispensing system

[0185] 300: Protective device / Pressure relief valve for discharging CO2400 when having a pressure being higher than a predetermined relief pressure

[0186] 310: Elongated movable closing member to shut off or open port 121

[0187] 311: First end of movable closing member 310

[0188] 312: Protrusions or legs of the first end 311

[0189] 313: Integrated / Molded TPE-sealing surface at the first closing member end 311

[0190] 314: Second end of closing member 310 opposite the first end 311

[0191] 315: Through hole at second end 314 to enable attaching a pull ring etc. for venting

[0192] 320: Gas relief pressure adjustment spring

[0193] 330: Gas relief pressure adjustment member or nut or screw

[0194] 331: Centre through hole in member 330

[0195] 340: Cap or cover

[0196] 341: Centre through hole in cap 340

[0197] 400: Gas flow and gas (CO2) visualised by non-solid arrows and dotted lines

Claims

CLAIMS1. A gas pressure regulation device (10) for a beverage dispensing system (200) comprises a two-part housing (100) with a first part (101) having a first end (110) and a second part (102) having a second end (120), the first valve housing end (110) comprises at least one port (111) and the second end comprises at least two or three or more ports (121 - 125); at least one port (122) is an inlet for gas (400) and at least one port (121, 123 - 125) is an outlet for gas, and one of the ports being a gas outlet (121) comprises a protective device (300) for discharging gas when having a pressure being higher than a predetermined pressure; the at least one port being a gas inlet (122) is configured to be detachably connected in fluid communication with a container (1) of pressurized gas (400); and one other of the ports being a gas outlet (125) is configured to be detachably connected in fluid communication with a beverage container (175) via a detachable gas supply line (177), the gas pressure regulation device (10) comprises an inner detachable pressure control valve unit (20) comprising an inner spring loaded movable piston (21) configured to act as a restricting element for the gas flow (400) from the gas inlet (122) by reciprocating in and out of sealing engagement with an inner sealing element (25) together with a pin (26) in response to varying gas pressure between an open state not in sealing engagement with the inner sealing element (25) and a closed state - in sealing engagement with the inner sealing element - to provide variable restriction to the gas flow (400) in cooperation with an inner diaphragm (16) acting as a loading element having a first side (16A) applying a predetermined and adjustable force on the pin (26) and the inner piston (21), which predetermined and adjustable force is provided by a pressure adjustment member (12) configured to change the load of a spring (14) onto a second side (16B) of the diaphragm (16) for biasing the first diaphragm side (16A) onto the pin (26), the pressure adjustment member (12) being accessible at the first valve housing end (110) through the at least one port (111) to enable moving the pressure adjustment member towards and away from one end of the spring (14) to set a predetermined spring force acting on the second diaphragm side (16B) via a plate (15) at the other end of the spring (14), the plate (15) being configured to distribute the spring force on the second diaphragm side (16B), characterized in that the plate (15) is made of moldable polymeric material and comprises a centre section (15A) being a hub configured to be biased by the spring (14) to contact the second side (16B) of the diaphragm (16) and an outer section (15B) being a circumferential rim around the centre section, the centre section (15A) and the outer section (15B) being integrated in the plate (15) and interconnected with each other via a flexible connection (15C).

2. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the outer section (15B) being a circumferential rim and the centre section (15A) being a hub are interconnected at a distance radially from each other by the flexible connection (15C) to form a fenestrated plate (15).

3. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the flexible connection (15C) is formed by one or more spoke-like members configured to hold the centre hub section (15A) and the outer rim section (15B) together as one common plate (15) while providing a spri ngy / plia ble / resi lie nt ability to the plate (15) enabling the centre hub section (15A) and the outer rim section (15B) to flex relative each other.

4. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the one or more spoke-like members forming the flexible connection (15C) extend(s) radially between the centre hub section (15A) and the outer rim section (15B) in the extension plane of the common plate (15) with curved or bent shape and / or extends radially along a curve in a tangential direction in the extension plane of the common plate (15) and relative the circumference of the common plate (15).

5. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein there are three or four or more spoke-like members forming the flexible connection (15C) distributed evenly along the circumference of the plate (15) between the centre section (15A) and the outer section (15B).

6. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein two other ports being gas outlets (123, 124) of the gas pressure regulation device housing(100) are configured to be detachably connected in fluid communication with a first and a second gas pressure measuring device (40, 41), respectively.

7. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the two housing parts (101, 102) of the valve housing (100) are configured to be detachably assembled via threading together as two housing halves of the housing (100) with the first housing end (110) arranged opposite the second housing end (120), the first housing part(101) forming a first housing half having the first housing end (110) as one end and an outer thread (105) at the other end of the first housing half opposite the first housing end (110) and the second housing part (102) forming the second housing half having the second housing end (120) as one end and an inner thread (106) at the other end of the second housing half opposite the second housing end (120).

8. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to any of the claims 1 to 6 and claim 7, wherein the outer thread (105) on the first housing part (101) is arranged about / at / on an upstanding circumferential edge or flange (107) configured to face, abut and slidingly contact a first side of the outer circumferential rim section (15B) of the plate (15) during turning of the first and / or second housing part(s) (101, 102) until the first and second housing parts (101, 102) are finally threaded together finishing the assembly of the housing (100).

9. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to any of the claims 1 to 6 and claim 8, wherein the inner thread (106) on the second housing part (102) is arranged at or ends at or ends before or ends above an inner circumferential shelf (108) configured to form a support for the outer circumference of the first side (16A) of the diaphragm (16), whereby the outer circumference of the second side (16B) of the diaphragm opposite the first diaphragm side (16A) forms a support for a second side of the outer circumferential rim section (15B) of the plate (15) opposite the first side of the outer circumferential rim section, this second side of the outer circumferential rim section being configured to face the second housing end (120) during assembly when first and second housing parts (101, 102) are threaded together.

10. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the first side (16A) of the diaphragm (16) is configured to be supported by an inner circumferential shelf (108) arranged at and inside an end of the second housing part (102) opposite the second housing end (120) and the outer circumferential rim section (15B) of the plate (15) is configured to be arranged in contact with and between the second side (16B) of the diaphragm (16) and an upstanding circumferential flange (107) of the first housing part (101) being arranged at an end of the first housing part opposite the first housing end (110) during assembly when first and second housing parts (101, 102) are threaded together.

11. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the plate (15) is made of a moldable polymeric material with friction properties that hinder the plate from sliding with one side against the diaphragm (16) made of rubber during assembly by threading the two housing parts (101, 102) together while - at the same time - enabling the first and / or second housing part(s) (101, 102) being turned during the assembly to slide against an opposite other side of the plate (15, 15B).

12. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner detachable pressure control valve unit (20) comprises a body (50) with an outer thread (51) configured for detachable assembly via an inner thread (104) inside the second housing part (102).

13. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to claim 12, wherein the sealing element (25) comprises a centre opening (37) configured to movably receive a stem (34) of the piston (21) and is configured to be tightly fitted into inner cavities / bores (27, 28) downstream the pin (26) to only let gas (400) flow through the centre opening and past the stem (34) into upstream cavities / bores (22, 24) and out of the valve unit (20) in the open state.

14. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the piston (21) comprises an inner cavity (31) arranged opposite a stem (34) of the piston (21) and configured to receive a spring (23), and an inner gas flow path or cavity (28) downstream the piston is configured to detachably receive and hold a locking plate (30) in place inside the inner gas flow cavity (28) and against the body (50) downstream of the piston.

15. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to claim 14, wherein the locking plate (30) is made of plastic and / or polymeric material and having a shape similar to a three- bladed propeller with a centre hub having an upstream protruding pin or guide (32) with three radially protruding legs (33), the protruding guide (32) being configured to fit into the spring (23) and the protruding legs (33) being configured to be snapped past protrusions (29) acting as hooks and supports for the locking plate to act as an anvil against the spring (23) inside the piston cavity (31) to bias the spring towards the piston when the inner detachable pressure control valve unit (20) is assembled together, thereby pushing the piston into sealing engagement with the inner sealing element (25) in the closed state.

16. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to claim 15, wherein the piston (21) comprises sealing surfaces (38) arranged between the inner cavity (31) and the stem (34) upstream of the locking plate (30), the sealing surfaces (38) being slanted at an angle of about 45° forming a conical surface relative the gas flow direction and away from the stem (34) to sealingly engage the inner sealing element (25) in the closed state.

17. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealing element (25) is molded and made of polypropylene glycol (PPG) with a molecular weight of 1000 (PP1000) or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

18. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the diaphragm (16) comprises two sides (16A, 16B), one first side (16A) configured to engage or actuate the pin (26) and thereby indirectly the piston (21) to be able to move the pin and the piston together and a second side (16B) configured to contact and be actuated by the spring-loaded plate (15), the first diaphragm side (16A) comprises a circular bulge (16C)extending unbroken around the centre of the diaphragm (16) and being configured to engage and sealingly contact a flat head (26A) of the pin (26) during actuation of the pin and piston.

19. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the diaphragm (16) comprises a centre through hole (16D) and the plate (15) comprises a centre through hole (15D), which two centre through holes (15D, 16D) are aligned.

20. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the centre hub section (15A) of the plate (15) has a slightly convex shape or is somewhat bulging towards the second side (16B) of the diaphragm (16).

21. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the protective device (300) comprises an elongated spring-loaded closing member (310) made by two component injection molding to provide a first end (311) of the elongated spring- loaded closing member with an integrated molded sealing surface (313) made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) configured to face and sealingly engage a seat (126) inside the gas outlet port (121) when the gas (400) has a pressure being lower than a predetermined gas relief pressure.

22. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to claim 21, wherein the protective device (300) comprises a gas relief pressure adjustment spring (320), a gas relief pressure adjustment member (330) and a cap (340), each of the gas relief pressure adjustment member (330) and cap (340) comprises centre through holes (331, 341) configured to receive an elongated second end (314) of the elongated spring-loaded closing member (310) opposite the first end (311) together with the gas relief pressure adjustment spring (320) being slid over the elongated second end to expose the second end (314) at the cap, the cap (340) being assembled at / on the elongated second end (314) by means of clip in place function.

23. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the integrated molded sealing surface (313) of the elongated spring-loaded closing member (310) is biased by a gas relief pressure adjustment spring (320) into sealing engagement with one or more seats (126) inside the gas outlet port (121) when the gas (400) has a pressure being lower than a predetermined gas relief pressure by means of a gas relief pressure adjustment member (330), the gas relief pressure adjustment member (330) having a ring-shape with an outer thread configured to be detachably threaded into an inner thread in the gas outlet port (121) towards the gas relief pressure adjustment spring (320), whereby the ring-shape of the gas relief pressure adjustment member (330) is configured to engage and bias the gas reliefpressure adjustment spring (320) between the gas relief pressure adjustment member (330) and the first end (311) of the elongated spring-loaded closing member (310) to set a gas relief pressure.

24. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to claim 22, wherein the first end (311) of the elongated spring-loaded closing member (310) comprises more than one protrusion or leg (312) extending in parallel with the elongated spring-loaded closing member(310) away from the first and the second ends (311, 314) and beyond the integrated molded sealing surface (313) ending with at least one free end or foot at a predetermined distance from the integrated molded sealing surface (313) and / or ending with a predetermined length as measured in a direction perpendicular to the integrated molded sealing surface, the predetermined distance and / or protruding length of the leg(s) (312) being adapted to correspond to the depth of a channel or groove (127) surrounding the seat(s) (126) inside the gas outlet port (121) and / or the height of the seat(s) (126) inside the gas outlet port (121) to provide a predetermined stop against the bottom of the groove (127) and / or the base of the seat(s) (126) to control the compression of the integrated molded sealing surface (313) when seal- ingly engaging the seat(s) (126) when the gas (400) has a pressure being lower than the pre- determined / -set gas relief pressure.

25. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the plate (15, 15A - 15C) is made of Polyoxymethylene (POM).

26. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to claim 14 or claim 15 or claim 16 or any of claims 17 to 25 when dependent on claim 14 or claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the locking plate (30) is configured to work as a clip made of Polyoxymethylene (POM).

27. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to claim 15 and 26, wherein the outer part of the piston (21) comprising the inner cavity (31) for the spring (23) is shaped with four rounded outer corners (39A) with the same radius extending along the length of the piston, which four rounded corners are configured to form guides inside the inner cavity (27, 28) of the inner detachable pressure control valve unit (20), and with four outer surface areas (39B) arranged between and extending along the rounded outer corners (39A) to form gas flow channels between the inside of the inner cavity (27, 28) of the inner detachable pressure control valve unit and the outside of the piston.

28. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to claim 24, wherein the first end(311) of the elongated spring-loaded closing member (310) comprises three legs (312)arranged intermittently along the circumference of the first end (311) at equal distances from each other to form an edge divided into three crenellation-like protrusions with openings inbetween the protrusions surrounding the integrated molded sealing surface (313), which feetlike protrusions (312) form the predetermined stops as feet contacting the bottom of the groove (127) and / or the base of the seat(s) (126) when the integrated molded sealing surface (313) sea lingly engages the seat(s).

29. The gas pressure regulation device (10) according to claim 24 or 28 wherein the first end (311) of the elongated spring-loaded closing member (310) is configured as a piston face similar to a three-legged stool with three short and thick legs (312) with openings in- between and the bottom side of the stool seat formed by the integrated molded sealing surface (313) abuts the seat(s) (126) of the port (121) while the three legs work as feet (312) abutting the bottom of the groove (127) surrounding the seat(s) at the same time to seal off the gas flow (400).

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