SE1050706A1 - Cartridge for enrgy application - Google Patents

Abstract

100624 Mflßocunients and SettingshloUdocal SectLnqsVFemporary InternetFiles\Con\:ent.Outlook\GNAHTT8Z\?10309000l_l0O62ê_appllcationtext.docm ll ABSTRACT A gas cartridge is hereby presented. The gas cartridge comprises a first tubularbody (20, 200) having a closed end (22, 220) and an open end (24, 240), a secondtubular body (30, 300) having a closed end (32, 320) and an open end (34, 340). Thesecond tubular body (3 0, 300) is aligned With the first tubular body (20, 200) such thatthe closed end (22, 220) of the first tubular body (20, 200) is closing the open end (34,340) of the second tubular body (30, 300) and vice versa, wherein the first tubular body(20, 200) has an area (26, 260) at its closed end (22, 220), said area (26, 260) forming a penetrable membrane. Elected for publication: Fig. l

Description

100624 M:\Documents and Settings\vo\Local Settings\Texuporary InternetFilesVlontent.OutlooMGNAE-ITTSZU?lO309000lglOO624_applš.cat¿ontext.docm l SAHLSTROM EQUITY AB AN ENERGY APPLICATION CARTRIDGE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a disposable platform for energy applications,known as an energy application cartridge (EAC). More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a disposable gas cartridge and a method for manufacturing such cartridge.

PRIOR ART A number of gas cartridges are available on the market. For example,caitridges are manufactured and marketed for a number of different applications such assoda streamers, paintball guns, etc. Such caitridges are usually in the form of a metalcylinder having a valve in one end, to which a regulator or activator may be connected.

According to one manufacturing method, an aluminum liner is drawn to aspecified thickness and hot-spun at its open end. Threads are provided on the inside ofthe open end for allowing a valve to be attached to the cartridge. F ollowing this step, thealuminum liner is coated with an insulating layer and a carbon fiber material in anepoxy resin before a surface coating is applied. Such cartridge is specified to withstandan internal pressure of 300 Bars, and is thus considered as a high pressure gas cartridge.

Due to the complex manufacturing process, including many different materialsand process steps, such gas cartridges are expensive and thus used as refillable products.Consequently, the use of such cartridges is not suitable for certain disposableapplications where price and availability are crucial factors.

There is thus a need for an improved high pressure gas cartridge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a disposable EAC in the form of ahigh pressure gas cartridge.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a gas cartridge whichmay be manufactured by a simple process, involving inexpensive and readily availablematerials.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a gas cartridge that may be recyclable. 100624 M:\Documents and Settings\vo\Local SettingsYYe-mporary InternetFilesvlontent.Outlook\GrJAl~lTT8Z\P10309000l_lOO624_applicationtext.docm 2 A still further object of the present invention is to provide an EAC which cancontain cooled liquid gas that after closing of the EAC container builds up pressure inroom temperature or other temperature that is higher than the liquid gas boiling point.

An idea of the present invention is thus to create a cooling device or adispenser of various substances.

According to a first aspect, a gas cartridge is provided. The gas cartridgecomprises a first tubular body having a closed end and an open end, and a secondtubular body having a closed end and an open end. The second tubular body is alignedwith the first tubular body such that the closed end of the first tubular body (20, 200) isclosing the open end of the second tubular body and vice versa, wherein the first tubularbody has an area at its closed end, said area forming a penetrable membrane.

The open end of the second tubular body may be conforming to the shape ofthe closed end of the first tubular body. This is advantageous in that the second tubularbody is prevented from moving relative the first tubular body, thus increasing themaximum internal pressure of the cartridge.

The second tubular body may comprise circumferential threads on its outersurface. Hence, an external valve and/or opening mechanism may be connected to thecartridge. The cartridge may further comprise an actuator, Which upon operationpenetrates said penetrable membrane.

The cartridge may further comprise a third tubular body being arranged withinthe first tubular body such that the closed end of the first tubular body is closing an openend of the third tubular body and vice versa. This is advantageous in that the cartridgemay be easily designed for different applications requiring different pressure.

An adhesive may be arranged between the tubular bodies. Hence, the stabilityof the gas cartridge may be increased.

According to a further aspect, a method for providing a gas cartridge isprovided. The method comprises the steps of: providing a first tubular body having aclosed end and an open end, providing a second tiibular body having a closed end andan open end, cooling said first and second tubular body to a predetermined temperature,filling the first tubular body to a certain extent with a liquid gas, wherein saidpredetermined temperature is below the boiling point of said gas, and closing said openend of the first tubular body by inserting the first tubular body into the second tiibularbody at said predetermined temperature whereby the closed end of the first tubular body is closing the open end of the second tubular body and vice versa. l0 100624 Mzfllocumeiits and Settinqs\vo\Locaf-. SettingMTen-iporary InternetFiles\Cont:ent.Outlool:\GNAHTT8Z\P10309000lflOOGZ-'lmapplicationtext.docm 3 The advantages of the first aspect are also applicable for the second aspect of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Hereinafter, the invention will be described with reference to the appendeddrawings, wherein: F ig. l is a cross sectional view of a gas cartridge according to an embodiment; Fig. 2a is an exploded view of the gas cartridge of Fig. l in a semi-assembled state; F ig. 2b is a cross sectional view of the gas cartridge of F ig. 2a; Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of a gas cartridge according to a furtherembodiment; Fig. 4 is a schematic cross sectional view of a gas cartridge according to a yetfurther embodiment; Fig. 5 is a block scheme of a manufacturing method according to anembodiment; and Fig. 6 is a schematic cross sectional view of a dispensing unit having a gas cartridge according to an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS With reference to Fig. l, Fig 2a, and Fig 2b, a gas cartridge l0 according to anembodiment will be described. The gas caitridge comprises a first tubular body 20having a closed end 22 and an open end 24. The closed end has a spherical shape andthe first tubular body 20 has a wall thickness being substantially homogeneous exceptfor an area 26 positioned at the center of the closed end 22. The area 26 has a wallthickness which is substantially less than the rest of the wall of the first tubular body 20.

The first tubular body 20 is inserted into a second tubular body 30, which isshown in Fig. 2a and 2b. The inner diameter of the second tubular body 30 equals theouter diameter of the first tubular body 20 such that the first tubular body 20 is tightlyfitted into the second tubular body 30. The second tubular body 30 comprises a notch 38that extends along the perimeter of the interior surface. The notch 38 is thus defining aclosed end 32 having a wall thickness which is greater than the thickness of the tubularwall of the second tubular body, including an open end 34.

The notch 38 is forming a stop such that the first tubular body 20 is preventedfrom moving further into the second tubular body 30. 1006211 M:\Documents and Settings\vo\Local SettingsVfemporary InternetFiles\Content.OutloolAGNAHT'l'8Z\Pl0309000l_lOmšßtapplrcationtext.docm 4 The open end 34 of the second tubular body 30 is formed such that it conformsto the closed spherical end 22 of the first tubular body 20. However, a small opening isaligned with the membrane area 26 of the first tubular body 20.

The second tubular body 30 is further provided with threads 36 extendingcircumferentially on the exterior surface.

The wall thickness of the second tubular body 30 is disposed such that theclosed end 32 has a thiekness that substantially corresponds to the sum of the wallthicknesses of the first and the second tubular bodies 20, 30 at a position beyond thenotch 38. Consequently, the gas cartridge has a wall thickness which is uniform exceptfor the membrane area 26.

With reference to Fig. 3 a gas cartridge l00 according to a further embodimentis shown. The gas cartridge 100 has a first, second, and third tubular body 200, 300, 400which are forming a disc-like cartridge similar to what has been described withreference to Fig. l and Fig. 2a-b.

The first tubular body 200 is inserted into the second tubular body 300, and thethird tubular body 400 is arranged inside the first tubular body 200 in the same manneras shown in Fig. l, wherein the first tubular body 20 is inserted in the second tubularbody 30. Hence, the third and the first tubular bodies 400, 200 are engageable in thesame manner as the first and the second tubular bodies 20, 30 of Fig. l, except for thefact that the membrane area 260 of the embodiment in Fig. 3 is provided on the firsttubular body 200, i.e. the tubular body comprising the notch 280.

The two-disc cartridge l0 of F ig. l and the three-disc cartridge of Fig. 3 maybe opened by penetrating the membrane area 26, 260 of the cartridge l0, l00. Suchopening mechanism may be implemented in accordance with an actuator as shown inFig. 4.

A cartridge 500, similar to the gas cartridge l0 of Pig. l, has a cap 550 attachedto one of its ends. The cap 550 has internal threads which are engaged with the threads536 of the gas cartridge 500. When the cap 550 is tightened by rotating, a needle will bemoved towards the membrane area 526 and the membrane area 526 will eventually bepenetrated such that the enclosed gas is allowed to escape out of the cartridge.

The cap 550 may be sealed against the cartridge by an O-ring 552. Further,exhaust channels 554 may be provided for allowing the gas to escape of the cap.

The cap 55 0 may further be provided with a connector (not shown) for allowing the cap 550 to be connected to a regulating valve. 100624 M:\Documents and Settings\vo\Local Settinqsflemporary InternetFilesVlontent.Outlool:\GNAHTT8Z\Pl03090001_10062-â_applicatioxitexc.docm 5 ln another embodiment, the cap may be operated by a pressing motion insteadof a rotating motion.

In the following, a method 1000 for providing a pressurized fluid or/and gascartridge will be described with reference to Fig. 5. In a first step 1010, a first tubularbody is formed having a closed end and an open end. The tubular body may be formedin any way known per se, preferably by extruding a metal blank into said body.

The closed end may have a spherical shape, and the central point of thespherically shaped bottom end may be provided with a membrane area having a smallerwall thickness than the rest of the tubular body.

For example, the wall thickness of the tubular body may be greater than 0,3mm, and the thickness of the membrane area of the spherically shaped bottom end maybe less than 0,3 mm, preferably between 0,1 and 0,2 mm. The diameter of the centralarea of the spherically shaped end may be approximately 1 mm. ln addition to theseproportions, the outer diameter of the tubular body may be 20,6 mm.

In a next step 1020, a second tubular body is formed having a closed end andan open end. The second tubular body may be formed in any way known per se,preferably by the same process as used when forming the first tubular body, e.g. byextruding a metal blank into said body. The closed end may have a spherical shapewherein the spherical portion has a greater wall thickness than the rest of the tubularbody. The spherical bottom end may be provided with an annular notch, such that theincreased wall thickness is provided as an immediate increase of wall thickness.

For example, the wall thickness of the second tubular body may be 0,7 mm,and the thickness of the spherically shaped bottom end may be 1,0 mm. ln addition tothese proportions, the inner diameter of the second tubular body may be 20,6 mm orjustabove. ln a following step 1030 the first tubular body is cooled down to apredetermined temperature, preferably by introducing said tubular body into a cooledchamber. When the tubular body is cooled down to said predetermined temperature, thetubular body is filled to a certain amount by liquid gas, or other content.

The gas may be C02, and the predetermined temperature may be a temperaturebeing below the boiling point of C02. If C02 is used in atmospheric pressure, thepredetermined temperature may be -80°C.

In a following step 1040, the second tubular body is brought onto the firsttubular body, having the open ends of the tubular bodies facing each other. During this step, the interior volume of the second tubular body may be exposed to an over-pressure 100624 M:\Documents and Settings\vo\Local Settingsflwzmpoïary InternetFilesVJontem;.OutlooI~:\GNAH'FT8Z\P103090001*100624_applicati.ontext.docm 6 of the same gas as being contained within the first tubular body, for avoidingentrapment of air. Preferably, this step is performed in the same cooled Chamber as usedwhen filling the first tubular body.

As an optional step 1035, an adhesive may be coated on the outer surface of thefirst tubular body, on the inside of the second tubular body, or both. When the secondtubular body is slidably fitted onto the first tubular body, the annular notch will form astop position and it will prevent the first tubular body to protrude any further into thesecond tubular body.

During the step 1040, the open end of the second tubular body may be formedto seal tightly against the spherical end of the first tubular body. Hence, the open end ofthe second tubular body will conform to the spherical end of the first tubular body. ln apreferred embodiment, the open end of the second tubular body will conform to thespherical end of the first tubular body but leaving an opening at the same position as themembrane area of the first tubular body.

When the adhesive has formed a strong bonding between the first and thesecond tubular body, the formed cartridge may be moved outside the cooled chamberduring a step 1050 and thus be allowed to heat up until room temperature is reached.Upon this, the pressure inside the cartridge will increase and consequently furtherimprove the sealing properties between the first and the second tubular body. ln a specific embodiment, the open end of the first tubular body may have aspherical shape, although it is left open by means of a through hole. Preferably, thediameter of the through hole may be between 1 and 10 mm. In such case, the annularnotch of the interior surface of the closed end of the second tubular body may bearranged to fill the space formed by the through hole.

The method 1000 may further comprise additional steps 1060, 1070 in whichfurther tubular bodies are provided and arranged onto each other for forming multi-discgas cartridges in accordance with what has been described previously with reference toF ig. 3.

The first and the second tubular bodies may for example be made of Al, or anyalloy containing Al. In further embodiments other metal based compounds may be used,or suitable carbon fiber materials.

In the following, a number of different gas cartridge applications will bedescribed.

Example 1: Cooling insert for PET bottles. 100624 M:\Documents and Settings\vo\Local SettingsYfemporary InternetFiíes\Content.OutlooMGNAJ-XTT8Z\P10309000l__10tßßlfapplicationtext.docm 7 The gas cartridge is filled with high pressure carbon dioxide. The end of thecartridge having the membrane area is arranged within a cylinder shaped support of adouble threaded cap. The cap is further attached to the open end of a PET bottleenclosing liquid food, such as a soft drink. The functionality of the cap allows forpenetration of the membrane area if the cap is rotated in a first direction. Thepenetration is provided by means of a needle which is pushed through the membranearea upon rotation of the cap. Carbon dioxide will thus be allowed to escape, and thecartridge will upon this be cooled down to the boiling point of carbon dioxide. Hence,the enclosed product will be cooled down by the escape of the carbon dioxide. The capmay further be provided with a looking mechanism that prevents the cap from beingremoved from the bottle at a moment before the gas cartridge is completely emptied.

Hence, accidents due to the low temperature may be avoided.

Example 2: Cooling insert for portable medical storage systems.

A portable medical storage system comprises a box having storage room formedical equipment and/or substances. Further, the box encloses a regulating system forensuring a stabilized interior temperature. The regulating system includes a coolingsource, a valve, and at least one sensor.

A gas cartridge is securely attached to an electrical valve and the membranearea is penetrated when the cartridge is attached to the valve. The valve is furtherconnected to a sensor system that continuously measures the temperature inside the box.If the temperature is increasing above a predetermined threshold level, the sensors willtransmit a signal to the valve which will open and compressed C02 will be exhausted.Consequently, the temperature inside the box will be lowered. ln a further embodiment, the regulating system comprises an alert functionalitywhich notifies a user when it is time to change the gas cartridge.

The box may be provided with insulating inserts for controlling the temperature distribution within the box.

Example 3: Gas cartridge as an aerosol container/dispenser An aerosol container 600 is shown in Fig. 6. A gas cartridge 610 is arranged ina housing 620. The housing 620 has a bottom inlet 622 into which the gas cartridge 610is inserted. Upon insertion, a needle 632 of a valve 630 is penetrating the membranearea of the gas cartridge 610. The gas cartridge 610 is further sealed against a gasket, and the inlet 622 is sealed and closed for preventing gas to leak out. The gas cartridge is 100624 M:\Documents and Settings\vo\Local SettingsYFemporary InternetFiíesVIontent,OutTQOLAGNAHTTSZ\Pl03090001__lüOö24fapplicationtext.docm 8 filled with a liquid product and a propellant, such that aerosols are dispensed when thevalve 630 is opened. The product may e. g. be perfume, deodorants, Cosmetics, medicals, oils, and other substances.

The present inventíon has been described above with reference to specificembodiments. However, other embodiments than the above described are equallypossible within the scope of the inventíon. The invention is only limited by the appended claims.

Claims (8)

1. A gas cartridge, comprising a first tubular body (20, 200) having a closed end (22, 220) and an open end(24, 240), a second tubular body (3 0, 300) having a closed end (32, 320) and an open end(34, 340), the second tubular body (30, 300) being aligned with the first tubular body (20,200) such that the closed end (22, 220) of the first tubular body (20, 200) is closing theopen end (34, 340) of the second tubular body (30, 300) and vice versa, Wherein the first tubular body (20, 200) has an area (26, 260) at its closed end (22, 220), said area (26, 260) forming a penetrable membrane.

2. The cartridge according to claim l, Wherein the open end (34, 340) of thesecond tubular body (30, 300) is conforming to the shape of the closed end (22, 220) ofthe first tubular body (20, 300).

3. The cartridge according to claim l or 2, Wherein the second tubular body (30, 300) comprises circumferential threads (36, 360) on its outer surface.

4. The cartridge according to any one of claims l to 3, further comprising athird tubular body (400) being arranged within the first tubular body (200) such that theclosed end (220) of the first tubular body (200) is closing an open end (440) of the thirdtubular body (400) and vice versa.

5. The cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, Wherein anadhesive is arranged between the tubular bodies (20, 30, 200, 300, 400).

6. The cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, furthercomprising an actuator (50), Which upon operation penetrates said penetrable membrane(26).

7. A method for providing a gas cartridge, comprising the steps of:providing a first tubular body having a closed end and an open end, providing a second tubular body having a closed end and an open end, 100624 Mfiüocuments and Settlnqs\vo\hocal SettingsVfemporary InternetFiles\Content.Outloo}:\GNAl-{TT8Z\P10309000l*lOO62/l_applicattontext.docm lO cooling said first and second tubular body to a predetermined temperature,filling the first tubular body to a certain extent with a liquid gas, wherein saidpredetermined temperature is below the boiling point of said gas, and5 closing said open end of the first tubular body by inserting the first tubularbody into the second tubular body at said predetermined temperature whereby theclosed end of the first tubular body is closing the open end of the second tubular body and vice versa.lO

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of forming the open end of the second tubular body such that it is conforming to the shape of the closedend of the first tubular body.