Abstract:
The invention relates to a cartridge device for lubricating a machine, preferably a clipping machine, having a pneumatic system and a pump unit driven by the pneumatic system, the cartridge device comprising a cartridge container for accommodating a supply of lubricant having a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction, wherein the cartridge container comprises a first end portion and a second end portion located opposite the first end portion in the longitudinal direction, and a first closure element for detachably coupling the first end portion of the cartridge container to a suction side of the pump unit, wherein the first closure element has a delivery opening for supplying lubricant contained within the cartridge container to the suction side of the pump unit. The invention is characterized in that the first closure element is detachably coupleable to the first end portion of the cartridge container, the first end portion of the cartridge container being configured so as to allow a collapsible reservoir containing the supply of lubricant to be inserted into and removed from the cartridge container.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of priority of European Patent Application No. 16168435.2 filed May 4, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
       FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a cartridge device and a method for lubricating a machine, preferably a clipping machine, having a pneumatic system and a pump unit driven by the pneumatic system. The present invention further relates to a lubricating device comprising the cartridge device, and to a machine comprising the lubricating device. Further, the present invention relates to a use of the cartridge device with such a machine and to a use of a collapsible reservoir with the cartridge device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    More precisely, the invention relates to a cartridge device for lubricating a machine, preferably a clipping machine, having a pneumatic system and a pump unit driven by the pneumatic system, the cartridge device comprising a cartridge container for accommodating a supply of lubricant having a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction, wherein the cartridge container comprises a first end portion and a second end portion located opposite the first end portion in the longitudinal direction, and the cartridge device comprising a first closure element for detachably coupling the first end portion of the cartridge container to a suction side of the pump unit, wherein the first closure element has a delivery opening for supplying lubricant contained within the cartridge container to the suction side of the pump unit. 
         [0004]    It is known in the art to lubricate a machine having a pneumatic system by connecting such a cartridge device having a cartridge container filled with lubricant to a pump unit driven by the pneumatic system of the machine. In the art, the cartridge container is closed off relative to the surrounding by means of a first closure element and a piston sealingly movable within the cartridge container. Generally, the cartridge container is made of a substantially rigid, non-collapsible plastics material. The first closure element is provided with a threaded collar to allow for a threaded attachment between the cartridge device and the pump unit. Upon use of the cartridge device, the tip of the threaded collar is to be cut off to provide a delivery opening for the lubricant. Once the supply of lubricant accommodated within the cartridge container is used up, the cartridge device is disposed of. 
         [0005]    It is the object of the present invention to provide an easy to handle cartridge device for lubricating a machine having a pneumatic system and a pump unit driven by the pneumatic system that is more environmentally friendly and more cost-efficient than cartridge devices known in the art. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The problem is solved by a cartridge device as set out above, wherein the first closure element is detachably coupled or coupleable to the first end portion of the cartridge container and wherein the first end portion of the cartridge container is configured so as to allow for a collapsible reservoir containing the supply of lubricant to be inserted into and removed from the cartridge container. 
         [0007]    By allowing the first closure element to be detachably coupled to the first end portion of the cartridge container, for instance by means of a threaded engagement or a bayonet lock, the supply of lubricant may be contained within a collapsible reservoir which is to be inserted into the cartridge container. Once the supply of lubricant within the collapsible reservoir is used up, the collapsible reservoir is disposed of and the cartridge container may be reused by inserting a new collapsible reservoir into the same. The waste is thus limited to the collapsible reservoir compared to the cartridge container as it is known in the art. 
         [0008]    The collapsible reservoir requires less material and is simpler to produce than the sturdy cartridge containers known in the art. In particular, the collapsible reservoir may be made of a thin packaging material such as an aluminium compound foil. Preferably, the collapsible reservoir is closed by clips made of metal or any other suitable material at either end. 
         [0009]    Further, the cartridge container may be made of a material other than plastics, for instance metal such as stainless steel, which resists high temperatures and may thus be easily cleansed or sterilized. This may be of special importance in food applications. Preferably, the cartridge device is integrated into the machine to be lubricated and disassembled quickly to allow for a quick and easy refilling of the cartridge device with a collapsible reservoir. 
         [0010]    The delivery opening may be formed within the first closure element such that the first closure element can be readily coupled to the suction side of the pump unit without having to cut off part of the first closure element or otherwise create a delivery opening within the first closure element for the supply of lubricant to the pump unit. 
         [0011]    The first end portion is the end portion of the cartridge container which is coupled to the suction side of the pump unit, wherein the second end portion is the end portion of the cartridge container which is located remote from the suction side of the pump unit. 
         [0012]    The cartridge device may further comprise a piston moveable in the longitudinal direction within the cartridge container, the piston fitting substantially airtight against an inner wall of the cartridge container. 
         [0013]    The piston is advanced by the prevailing atmospheric pressure of the surrounding of the cartridge device during an operation of the pump unit because of a negative pressure developing within the cartridge container due to the sucking action of the pump unit. As a result, the piston applies additional pressure to the end of the collapsible reservoir remote from the suction side of the pump unit. This may prevent the collapsible reservoir from contracting or creasing due to the suction of the pump unit in a disadvantageous manner. For instance, the collapsible reservoir may crease in such a way that an amount of lubricant cannot be sucked out of the collapsible reservoir by the pump unit. Supporting the sucking action of the pump unit by providing an additional pressure by means of the piston at the end of the collapsible reservoir remote from the suction side of the pump unit may reduce or even eliminate this undesirable creasing behavior of the collapsible reservoir. 
         [0014]    In order to refill the cartridge device with a new collapsible reservoir, the first closure element may be detached from the cartridge container. Since the piston is located at the first end portion of the cartridge device upon refilling, either the collapsible reservoir may be inserted via the first end portion to push the piston back towards the second end portion or the orientation of the cartridge container may be reversed such that the first end portion becomes the second end portion of the cartridge device and vice versa. To allow for a quick coupling and decoupling, the first closure element and the first end portion may be provided with a bayonet lock. 
         [0015]    Additionally or alternatively to providing for example a piston within the cartridge container or to providing an easy access to the cartridge container being preferably not disassembled from the first closure element, the cartridge device may further comprise a second closure element provided at the second end portion of the cartridge container, wherein preferably the second closure element can comprise an air duct for providing a flow path into and out of the cartridge device. 
         [0016]    Thus, the cartridge container is closed off at both ends thereof against the surroundings of the cartridge device. Merely the air duct provides for a communication between the cartridge container and its surroundings such that no negative pressure caused by the suction action of the pump unit establishes within the cartridge container. The air duct may simply be an opening within the second closure element or may be of a more elaborate construction. 
         [0017]    The second closure element may be formed separately from the second end portion of the cartridge container. In particular, the second closure element may be detachably or fixedly connected to the second end portion. Alternatively, the second closure element may be formed integrally with the second end portion and may thus form part of the cartridge container. In this case, in order to refill the cartridge device it is not possible to simply reverse the orientation of the cartridge container. Instead, the cartridge container is to be filled via the first end portion thereof. The air duct ensures that air within the cartridge container which is replaced by the collapsible reservoir when filling the cartridge device therewith is vented out through the air duct of the second closure element. 
         [0018]    The pump unit may be sensitive to an amount of air being sucked into the suction side thereof. It is thus preferable that the air duct of the second closure element is coupled or coupleable to the pneumatic system for providing a positive pressure between the piston and the second closure element, thereby moving the piston towards the first end portion. 
         [0019]    By applying a positive pressure between the piston and the second closure element, air present within the collapsible reservoir may be pushed into the suction side of the pump unit, thereby supporting the sucking action of the pump unit. Moreover, it is possible to not only empty the collapsible reservoir by connecting the cartridge device to the suction side of a pump unit, but to actively apply an additional pressure at the end of the cartridge container remote from the suction side of the pump unit to facilitate emptying the collapsible reservoir. Instead of connecting the air duct to the pneumatic system of the machine, any other way of supplying an additional pressure at the end of the cartridge container remote from the suction side of the pump unit may be employed. 
         [0020]    The pneumatic system of the machine may provide a pressure between 5 and 7 bar such that the positive pressure applied to the back of the piston, i. e. between the piston and the second closure element, may be between 0.5 bar and 3 bar. It has been found that a positive pressure of 2 bar allows for an operation of the pump unit and the cartridge device requiring low to no maintenance. 
         [0021]    In order to refill the cartridge device with a new collapsible reservoir, both the first closure element and the second closure element may be detachably connected to the cartridge container such that the first and second closure elements may be detached from the cartridge container to bring the piston back to the second end portion as described above. To this end, the first closure element and the first end portion as well as the second closure element and the second end portion may be provided with a bayonet lock. 
         [0022]    Further, the second closure element may comprise a safety valve having an open position and a closed position, the safety valve being biased towards the closed position and configured to move into the open position upon insertion of the collapsible reservoir into the cartridge container. 
         [0023]    This allows the second closure element to remain coupled to the cartridge container during the refilling of the cartridge container with a new collapsible reservoir. For instance, the safety valve may ensure that during an insertion of a collapsible reservoir into the cartridge container via the first end portion no pressure builds up in an air supply line connecting the cartridge device to the pneumatic system. The air within the cartridge container that is being compressed by the movement of the piston towards the second end portion of the cartridge container upon refilling may be vented into the surrounding of the cartridge device via the safety valve. 
         [0024]    The safety valve may also have a blocking position different from the closed position and be configured to move into the blocking position upon pneumatically coupling the air duct of the second closure element to the pneumatic system of the machine. 
         [0025]    In this way, the safety valve may control both the supply of air into and the venting of air out of the cartridge device. The safety valve may be configured to open at a predetermined first pressure threshold but to close once the pressure exceeds a predetermined second pressure threshold which is greater than the first pressure threshold. Thus, the safety valve may be provided in the flow path for supplying air into and venting air out of the cartridge device. There is no need to separate the flow path for supplying air into the cartridge device from the flow path for venting air out of the same. 
         [0026]    The first closure element may comprise at least one protrusion protruding from the first closure element towards the second end portion for piercing the collapsible reservoir so as to release lubricant therefrom. 
         [0027]    By providing at least one protrusion at the first closure element it is not necessary to open the collapsible reservoir before inserting the same into the cartridge container. The collapsible reservoir is instead opened upon coupling the first closure element to the first end portion of the cartridge container. This facilitates the handling and refilling of the cartridge container. 
         [0028]    Advantageously, when piercing a collapsible reservoir made of a thin packaging material, such as an aluminium compound foil, by means of protrusions provided at the first closure element, the material may rupture further due to the sucking action of the pump unit, thus releasing more lubricant. 
         [0029]    It is preferable to prevent packaging material of the collapsible reservoir from blocking the delivery opening of the first closure element by providing at least one bar bridging over the delivery opening for detaining the collapsible reservoir within the cartridge container. The bar holds back packaging material of the collapsible reservoir which may otherwise be sucked towards the suction side of the pump unit. 
         [0030]    According to another embodiment of the invention, a lubricating device for lubricating a machine having a pneumatic system comprises a cartridge device of the invention and a pump unit driven by the pneumatic system. 
         [0031]    According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a machine having a pneumatic system comprises a lubricating device of the invention. 
         [0032]    According to a development of such a machine, the machine comprises a quick coupling for detachably coupling the cartridge device of the lubricating device to the pneumatic system. This facilitates removing the cartridge device from the pump unit and thus the handling and possibly the refilling of the cartridge device. 
         [0033]    According to another embodiment of the invention, a method for lubricating a machine having a pneumatic system and a pump unit driven by the pneumatic system using a cartridge device of the invention comprises the steps of inserting a collapsible reservoir into the cartridge container via the first end portion of the cartridge container, coupling the first closure element to the suction side of the pump unit, and coupling the first end portion of the cartridge container to the first closure element. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0034]    One way of carrying out the invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings which illustrate an embodiment in which: 
           [0035]      FIG. 1  illustrates schematically a machine to be lubricated with the cartridge device of the invention; 
           [0036]      FIGS. 2 a , 2 b    are schematic perspective overviews of a cartridge device of the invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 3  is a schematic perspective overview of a collapsible reservoir to be inserted into the cartridge device of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 4  is a section view of a first closure element and a first end portion of the cartridge device of  FIG. 2   
           [0039]      FIG. 5  is a section view of a second closure element and a second end portion of the cartridge device of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0040]      FIG. 6  is a section view of the second closure element of the cartridge device of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0041]      FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a machine M comprising a pneumatic system S connected via an air supply line A 1  to a pump unit P to drive the same. Air supply line A 1  may be pneumatically connected and disconnected from pneumatic system S by means of a valve V. Valve V may be controlled by a control unit C of machine M. When air supply line A 1  is pneumatically connected to pump unit P by opening valve V, pump unit P is operated by the pressure provided by pneumatic system S. When air supply line A 1  is disconnected from pump unit P by closing valve V, the supply of pressure from pneumatic system S and thus the operation of pump unit P stops. Pump unit P is connected to a cartridge device  10  as will be described in more detail below. Cartridge device  10  may be part of machine M or may be provided separately from machine M. Cartridge device  10  is provided with a supply of lubricant for lubricating machine M. By the operation of pump unit P, lubricant is delivered from cartridge device  10  via a lubricant line D to machine M. 
         [0042]    An air supply line A 2  preferably branches off from air supply line A 1  downstream of valve V to provide a pressure to cartridge device  10  for assisting the release of lubricant from cartridge device  10 . Alternatively, air supply line A 2  may emanate directly from pneumatic system S such that air supply lines A 1 , A 2  may be provided independently from each other. 
         [0043]    Machine M may be a clipping machine comprising its own pneumatic system S, such as an automatic double-clipper, an automatic sealing/clipping machine, or an automatic hanging line which may be used in an automation line with defined clipping machines. Pneumatic system S of machine M is used for driving certain components of machine M. For instance, when machine M is a clipping machine, pneumatic system S may be used for driving the gathering or displacer plates of the clipping machine. 
         [0044]    Pump unit P may be a known lubricating pump unit driven by the pneumatic system S of the machine M it is mounted on. 
         [0045]    To lubricate machine M, pump unit P may be operated by the pneumatic system S of machine M in a lubricating phase in which the actual or intended operation of machine M is deactivated. The lubricating phase may be followed up by the actual or intended operation of machine M in which pump unit P is deactivated and air supply lines A 1 , A 2  are disconnected from pneumatic system S by closing valve V. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b    show a cartridge device  10  with a cartridge container  12 . In this example, cartridge container  12  is formed as a cylindrical tube extending along a longitudinal axis L. However, any other shaped container or tube, such as a rectangular tube, may also be possible. Cylindrical tube  12  has a first end portion  12   a  and an opposing second end portion  12   b.  A first closure element  14  is detachably coupled to first end portion  12   a,  and a second closure element  16  is detachably coupled to second end portion  12   b.  Air supply line A 2  branching off from air supply line A 1  connects second closure element  16  to pneumatic system S as will be described in more detail below. Air supply line section A 2  is provided with a quick coupling  18  for readily physically connecting and disconnecting air supply line A 2  from pneumatic system S. 
         [0047]    In use, a collapsible reservoir  20  as shown in  FIG. 3  may exchangeably be inserted into cylindrical tube  12 . Collapsible reservoir  20  may be formed of a thin packaging material, such as an aluminium compound foil, and closed by means of clips  22   a,    22   b.  Collapsible reservoir  20  may be filled with a lubricant commonly used for lubricating machines, in particular for bearings of machines. 
         [0048]    As can be seen from  FIGS. 2 and 4 , first closure element  14  is provided with a delivery duct  26  extending through a threaded collar  27  for detachably coupling first closure element  14  to pump unit P. Delivery duct  26  extends substantially parallel to longitudinal axis L. Delivery duct  26  allows an inner space  12   c  of cylindrical tube  12  to communicate with the surrounding of cartridge device  10 , in particular the suction side of pump unit P. Delivery duct  26  has a first duct end  26   a  which, in an assembled state of delivery device  10 , is positioned in proximity to the suction side of pump unit P, and a second duct end  26   b  remote from first duct end  26   a.  First duct end  26   a  of delivery duct  26  forms the delivery opening of cartridge device  10 . 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , cylindrical tube  12  is provided at its outer wall  12   d  with a thread  12   e,  and first closure element  14  is provided at its inner circumferential wall  14   a  with a thread  14   b.  First end portion  12   a  is in threaded engagement with first closure element  14  by means of threads  12   e,    14   b  so as to provide a detachable coupling between cylindrical tube  12  and first closure element  14 . Alternatively, first closure element  14  may be detachably coupled to first end portion  12   a  by means of a bayonet lock. An O-ring  28  is provided at first end portion  12   a  within an annular groove  12   f  formed within outer wall  12   d  so as to provide an airtight seal between cylindrical tube  12  and first closure element  14 . 
         [0050]    In this example, provided around delivery duct  26  of first closure element  14  are two threaded protrusions  30   a,    30   b  extending along longitudinal axis L. Protrusions  30   a,    30   b  are each provided within an indentation  14   c,    14   d  of first closure element  14  indented towards delivery opening  26   a  relative to a side  14   e  of first closure element  14  facing second end portion  12   b.  Protrusions  30   a ,  30   b  are fixed by means of nuts  32   a,    32   b  within indentations  14   c,    14   d  such that pointed free ends  34   a,    34   b  of protrusions  30   a,    30   b  are directed towards the second end portion  12   b.  Thereby, protrusions  30   a,    30   b  may pierce collapsible reservoir  20  disposed within cylindrical tube  12  when coupling first closure element  14  to first end portion  12   a.  In this regard, it may be preferable that threads  12   e,    14   b  are configured such that cylindrical tube  12  may be mounted to first closure element  14  by a quarter turn of first end portion  12   a  relative to first closure element  14 . However, instead of a quarter turn, a half turn or any number of turns, odd or even, may also be feasible. 
         [0051]    It will be understood that one or more protrusions may be provided which may differ in shape and installation from protrusions  30   a,    30   b  described in this example. For instance, alternatively to providing protrusions  30   a,    30   b  which are detachably connected to first closure element  14 , protrusions  30   a,    30   b  may be provided integral with first closure element  14 . In another example, protrusions  30   a,    30   b  may be provided as blades for opening collapsible reservoir  20  predominantly by cutting rather than by piercing. 
         [0052]    Delivery duct  26  is partially covered by a bar  14   f  formed between indentations  14   c,    14   d  at side  14   e  of first closure element  14 . Bar  14   f  is provided approximately across the centre of delivery duct  26  to prevent delivery duct  26  from becoming blocked or clogged up by one of clips  22   a,    22   b  and/or by packaging material of collapsible reservoir  20 . Instead, bar  14   f  holds back collapsible reservoir  20  in a manner that allows inner space  12   c  to communicate with delivery opening  26   a  when collapsible reservoir  20  is inserted into cylindrical tube  12 . 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a piston  36  is sealingly and slidably inserted within inner space  12   c  of cylindrical tube  12 . Piston  36  forms an airtight seal with an inner wall  12   g  of cylindrical tube  12  by means of two O-rings  38   a,    38   b.  Second closure element  16  comprises an end plate  16   a  and an attachment member  16   b  mounted on end plate  16   a  by means of screws  40   a,    40   b  (see  FIG. 2 b   ). End plate  16   a  is axially confined in a direction towards first end portion  12   a  by means of an annular shoulder  12   h  provided in inner wall  12   g  and in a direction towards second end portion  12   b  by means of a retaining ring  42  inserted within an annular groove  12   i  provided in inner wall  12   g.    
         [0054]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a stepped pin  44  is disposed within a stepped opening  46  of attachment member  16   b  and confined therein by means of fixing members  48   a,    48   b.  Fixing member  48   b  is coupled to opening  46  my means of a threaded engagement (not shown). Stepped pin  44  extends perpendicular to longitudinal axis L and is supported within opening  46  by means of an annular shoulder  46   a  provided within opening  46  which engages an annular step shoulder  44   a  of pin  44 . A ring space  50  is formed between pin  44  and opening  46  about midway of pin  44  and is sealed by means of two O-rings  52   a,    52   b.  Between a bottom end  44   b  of pin  44  and a bottom end  46   b  of opening  46 , a circular space  54  is formed. Ring space  50  and circular space  54  provide part of a flow path present within second closure element  16  which is described in detail below. 
         [0055]    Pin  44  is provided with a blind hole  56  extending from bottom end  44   b  of pin  44  to about midway of pin  44 . Blind hole  56  communicates with four passage openings  58   a,    58   b,    58   c,    58   d  extending from blind hole  56  radially outwardly through pin  44  which in turn communicate with ring space  50 . Ring space  50  communicates with a passage opening  60  (see  FIG. 6 ) extending within attachment member  16   b  which in turn communicates with a passage opening  62  provided in end plate  16   a  (see  FIG. 5 ). Passage opening  62  communicates with a cylindrical space  64  provided between piston  36  and end plate  16   a.  An O-ring  66  provides an airtight seal between attachment member  16   b  and end plate  16   a.    
         [0056]    Circular space  54 , blind hole  56 , passage openings  58   a,    58   b,    58   c,    58   d , ring space  50 , passage opening  60 , and passage opening  62  form an air duct  68  within second closure element  16 . Air duct  68  receives a positive pressure from pneumatic system S of machine M via air supply line A 2 . The connection  70  between air supply line A 2  and attachment member  16   b  is shown in  FIG. 2 . The positive pressure of air duct  68  is supplied to cylindrical tube  12  via passage opening  62  in end plate  16   a  such that the positive pressure may act upon a side  36   a  of piston  36  facing second closure element  16 . 
         [0057]    Referring again to  FIG. 5 , within attachment member  16   b  an opening  72  is provided for accommodating a safety valve  74 . Safety valve  74  is confined within opening  72  by means of a fixing member  76  having a through-hole  78 . Safety valve  74  extends perpendicular to pin  44 . Safety valve  74  comprises a valve body  80  and an elastic return member  82  in the form of a resilient spring supported by fixing member  76 . A ring space  84  is formed between opening  72  and valve body  80 . 
         [0058]    Spring  82  is biased towards the closed position in which valve body  80  is pressed against a first valve seat  72   a.  First valve seat  72   a  is provided by an annular step shoulder of opening  72 . In the closed position of safety valve  74 , an O-ring  86  provides a seal between valve body  80  and first valve seat  72   a  and reduces sound caused by valve body  80  impacting on first valve seat  72   a.    
         [0059]    Fixing member  76  provides a second valve seat  76   a  for valve body  80  remote from first valve seat  72   a.  When valve body  80  is pressed against second valve seat  76   a,  safety valve  74  is in its blocking position. In the blocking position of safety valve  74 , an O-ring  88  provides a seal between valve body  80  and second valve seat  76   a  and reduces sound caused by valve body  80  impacting on second valve seat  76   a.    
         [0060]    When safety valve  74  is in the closed position or in the blocking position, through-hole  78  is blocked off from air duct  68  by means of valve body  80  being pressed against first valve seat  72   a  or second valve seat  76   a,  respectively. When safety valve  74  is in the open position and not in the closed or in the blocking position, air duct  68  communicates via ring space  84  and through-hole  78  with the surrounding of cartridge device  10 . 
         [0061]    Valve body  80  moves from the closed position into the open position when the pressure within air duct  68  exceeds a predetermined first pressure threshold. When the pressure within air duct  68  exceeds a predetermined second pressure threshold which is greater than the predetermined first pressure threshold, valve body  80  is moved into the blocking position. 
         [0062]    With reference to  FIGS. 2, 5 and 6 , the function of cartridge device  10  is explained. 
         [0063]    To lubricate machine M, cylindrical tube  12  filled with collapsible reservoir  20  and connected with second closure element  16  is threadedly coupled to first closure element  14  by means of threads  12   e,    14   b,  whereby collapsible reservoir  20  is slit open by protrusions  30   a,    30   b.  First closure element  14  is already threadedly coupled to the suction side of pump unit P by means of threaded collar  27 . Then, by opening valve V, air supply line A 1  is pneumatically connected to pump unit P so as to drive the same, and air supply line A 2  is pneumatically connected to cartridge device  10 , i. e. attachment member  16   b  of second closure element  16 , so as to supply pressure to air duct  68 . Upon connecting air duct  68  to pneumatic system S of machine M, the pressure within air duct  68  exceeds the predetermined second threshold such that valve body  80  is pressed against second valve seat  76   a,  i. e. safety valve  74  is pressed into its blocking position. In the blocking position of safety valve  74 , air duct  68  cannot communicate with through-hole  78  of safety valve  74 . As a result, pressure builds up within cylindrical space  64  and piston  36  is pushed towards first end portion  12   a  of cylindrical tube  12 . Thereby, collapsible reservoir  20  received within inner space  12   c  of cylindrical tube  12  is deformed and lubricant contained therein is released through delivery opening  26   a  formed within first closure element  14 . 
         [0064]    Once reservoir  20  is used up and piston  36  has advanced towards first end portion  12   a,  air supply lines A 1 , A 2  are pneumatically disconnected from pneumatic system S by closing valve V. Air within air supply lines A 1 , A 2  downstream of valve V is vented into the surrounding of cartridge device  10  via pump unit P such that safety valve  74  moves back from the blocking position to the closed position. Cartridge device  10  may then be decoupled from first closure element  14  which remains coupled to the suction side of pump unit P and used up reservoir  20  may be removed from inner space  12   c  of cylindrical tube  12 . There is no need to decouple second closure element  16  from second end portion  12   b  such that second closure element  16  remains mounted on second end portion  12   b  during lubrication of machine M and refill of cartridge device  10 . 
         [0065]    To refill cartridge device  10 , a new reservoir  20  is inserted into cylindrical tube  12  via first end portion  12   a.  Upon inserting new reservoir  20  into cylindrical tube  12 , piston  36  is pushed towards second closure element  16 . As a result, pressure builds up within cylindrical space  64  communicating with passage opening  62  of end plate  16   a  and ring space  50  of attachment member  16   b.  When the build up pressure exceeds the predetermined first pressure threshold, valve body  80  is moved from the closed position into the open position and vents air out of cartridge device  10 . 
         [0066]    The predetermined first pressure threshold and the predetermined second pressure threshold may be adjusted such that safety valve  74  is not moved into the blocking position upon refilling cartridge device  10 . The predetermined first pressure threshold may be equal to or greater than the atmospheric pressure prevailing within the surrounding of cartridge device  10 . 
       LIST OF PARTICULARS 
       [0067]    A 1  air supply line 
         [0068]    A 2  air supply line 
         [0069]    B pneumatic system 
         [0070]    C control unit 
         [0071]    D lubricating line 
         [0072]    L longitudinal axis 
         [0073]    M machine 
         [0074]    P pump unit 
         [0075]    V valve 
         [0076]      10  cartridge device 
         [0077]      12  cartridge container (cylindrical tube) 
         [0078]      12   a  first end portion 
         [0079]      12   b  second end portion 
         [0080]      12   c  inner space 
         [0081]      12   d  outer wall 
         [0082]      12   e  thread 
         [0083]      12   f  groove 
         [0084]      12   g  inner wall 
         [0085]      12   h  shoulder 
         [0086]      12   i  groove 
         [0087]      14  first closure element 
         [0088]      14   a  inner circumferential wall 
         [0089]      14   b  thread 
         [0090]      14   c,    14   d  indentations 
         [0091]      14   e  side 
         [0092]      14   f  bar 
         [0093]      16  second closure element 
         [0094]      16   a  end plate 
         [0095]      16   b  attachment member 
         [0096]      18  quick coupling 
         [0097]      20  collapsible reservoir 
         [0098]      22   a,    22   b  clips 
         [0099]      26  delivery duct 
         [0100]      26   a  delivery opening 
         [0101]      26   b  second duct end 
         [0102]      27  threaded collar 
         [0103]      28  O-ring 
         [0104]      30   a,    30   b  protrusions 
         [0105]      32   a,    32   b  nuts 
         [0106]      34   a,    34   b  pointed free ends 
         [0107]      36  piston 
         [0108]      38   a,    38   b  O-rings 
         [0109]      40  screws 
         [0110]      42  retaining ring 
         [0111]      44  pin 
         [0112]      44   a  shoulder 
         [0113]      44   b  bottom end 
         [0114]      46  opening 
         [0115]      46   a  shoulder 
         [0116]      46   b  bottom end 
         [0117]      48   a,    48   b  fixing members 
         [0118]      50  ring space 
         [0119]      52   a,    52   b  O-rings 
         [0120]      54  circular space 
         [0121]      56  blind hole 
         [0122]      58   a - 58   d  passage openings 
         [0123]      60  passage opening 
         [0124]      62  passage opening 
         [0125]      64  circular space 
         [0126]      66  O-ring 
         [0127]      68  air duct 
         [0128]      70  connection 
         [0129]      72  opening 
         [0130]      72   a  first valve seat 
         [0131]      74  safety valve 
         [0132]      76  fixing member 
         [0133]      76   a  second valve seat 
         [0134]      78  through-hole 
         [0135]      80  valve body 
         [0136]      82  elastic return member (resilient spring) 
         [0137]      84  ring space 
         [0138]      86  O-ring 
         [0139]      88  O-ring