Patent Publication Number: US-2011049193-A1

Title: Device for dispensing a fluid

Description:
The invention relates to a device for dispensing a fluid, which device comprises: 
     a sealed container in which the fluid is received; 
     a carrier for a cartridge with pressurized gas, which cartridge has a seal which can be broken by means of first operating means which can be operated manually from the outside, and the carrier comprises breaking means for breaking the seal such that gas is generated by the cartridge; 
     pressure reducing means which are coupled to the carrier and connect to the breaking means for receiving pressurized gas, and which generate received gas under reduced pressure to the space inside the container for charging the fluid present therein with gas under a certain overpressure; 
     a dip tube which extends in the container from the bottom zone thereof to the inlet of a first valve, the outlet of which debouches on the top side of the container; 
     a dispensing conduit which is present on the top side of the container and the inlet of which is connected to the outlet of the first valve and the outlet of which protrudes outside the container for the purpose of dispensing fluid; 
     second operating means, which can be operated manually from the outside, for displacing the valve body of the first valve, whereby this first valve is opened, this such that, due to the overpressure of the gas in the container, fluid is pressed via the dip tube, the opened first valve and the dispensing conduit to the outlet of the dispensing conduit, and is there dispensed, 
     wherein the breaking means comprise a hollow pin for perforating the seal during an axial displacement of the cartridge relative to the breaking means as a result of operating the first operating means; and 
     wherein a first transmission converts a displacement of the first operating means from the rest position to the operative position into said axial displacement of the cartridge relative to the hollow pin. 
     Such a device is known in diverse embodiments. 
     DE-U-20 002 335 describes a device for dispensing drink from containers with a volume of for instance two litres under the influence of a propellant. The container is provided with a controllable valve with two positions. In the opened position of the valve drink is dispensed from the container while gaseous propellant is simultaneously supplied. Due to the addition of introducing the propellant into the container simultaneously with dispensing of drink from the container, it is possible to opt for a relatively low gas pressure in the container and it is not necessary to already introduce the whole desired supply of propellant during filling of the drink container. The structure of the valve makes it possible, when the valve is activated, for the gaseous propellant to flow into the container on the outside around the elongate valve body, while the drink simultaneously flows outward through a continuous hole in the elongate valve body. 
     EP-A-1 281 635 relates to a further development of the principle according to DE-U-2 002 335, with the object of making the principle established therein suitable for spraying fluid products with a higher viscosity or for simultaneous spraying of two different fluids. The most important modification in the elongate valve body is the arrangement of a cylindrical channel for the supply of propellant and the discharge of the second fluid product to be sprayed. Even with this modification, the applied valve has only two positions. 
     It is an object of the invention to give a device of the stated type a very simple and operator-friendly structure. 
     It is a further object of the invention to embody a device such that it has a very simple structure which can be manufactured at low cost while nevertheless having a high degree of technical reliability. 
     With a view to the above stated objectives, the invention provides a device for dispensing fluid of the type stated in the preamble which has the feature that 
     third operating means which can be manually operated from outside are present for displacing the valve body of a second valve connected between the outlet of the pressure reducing means and the container for allowing passage of gas under reduced pressure only in the opened position; and 
     the second operating means comprise an operating handle which is coupled operatively to a second transmission which converts a pivoting movement of the operating handle into an axial movement of the valve body relative to the valve sleeve, this second transmission defining three stable positions, i.e.
         a rest position in which both valves are closed;   a standby position in which the first valve is closed and the second valve is opened; and   an operative position in which both valves are open.       

     Attention is drawn to the fact that taps with three positions have already been proposed, for instance in GB-A-1 163 761. The passage on page 2, lines 81-93, indicates however that the third position has a function other than that proposed with the present invention. 
     Reference is further made for the sake of completeness to EP-A-0 342 977, EP-A-0 217 615 and EP-A-0 342 978. 
     It is noted emphatically that the prior art briefly specified above relates only to a tap with three positions. The device however relates to a valve unit which has three positions which, by means of specific operating means and an associated transmission, are all three stable and have the specific functionalities as described in the introduction to the invention. 
     In a specific embodiment the device has the special feature that the first valve and the second valve are both slide valves with a sleeve provided with a number of passages and an elongate valve body axially displaceable therein in sealing manner. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, the device has the special feature that said valves are integrated into one valve unit with one sleeve and one valve body displaceable therein. 
     According to an important aspect of the invention, the device has the special feature that the second transmission comprises a cam disc which is connected with rotation locking to the operating handle and has three cams corresponding to said positions, and a follower is coupled to the integral valve body. 
     Use could be made of a forced drive, which is per se known and ensures that the follower follows every local displacement of the relevant cams. Simpler and therefore preferably applied is an embodiment comprising spring means for pressing the follower against the cam disc. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, the invention has the special feature that the operating handle is also the carrier for a cartridge for pressurized gas. 
     For the sake of completeness attention is drawn once again in this respect to GB-A-1 163 761, from which this aspect is per se known. 
     This latter embodiment can advantageously have the special feature that the pressure reducing means are received in the transition zone between the operating handle and a connecting tube on which the operating handle extends substantially at right angles and which is coupled with rotation locking to the operating handle, and leads the gas under reduced pressure to the second valve. 
     In a further embodiment the device has the feature that the pressure reducing means are adjustable by means of pressure adjusting means which can be operated from outside. The pressure of the propellant admitted into the container can hereby be set to a desired value. When tapping beer for instance, use is made of a value in the order of 0.8-1.0 bar. Other pressures can also be applied for other beverages, also subject to the personal preference of a user. 
     The pressure reducing means can be of any suitable and known type. Suitable for instance are commercially available pressure reducing units of the membrane type or the type with a cylinder-piston unit. These means do not however themselves form part of the invention and do not therefore require further discussion here. 
     According to a subsequent aspect of the invention, the device has the special feature that the container is a bottle with a bottom, a body and a mouth, and the mouth rim carries a head, forming part of which are: the carrier with the breaking means, the pressure reducing means, the dip tube, the valve unit, the dispensing conduit, the first operating means, the second operating means and the second transmission, this head being located outside the container. 
     In yet another embodiment the device has the feature that the container is a bottle with a bottom, a body and a mouth, and the mouth rim sealingly bears a dish which has in its central zone a continuous hole to which the valve unit is sealingly connected, which valve unit carries the dip tube on its underside. 
     A further variant has the special feature that the container is a bottle with a bottom, a body and a mouth, and the mouth rim bears a head, forming part of which are the carrier with the breaking means, the pressure reducing means, the dispensing conduit, the first operating means, the second operating means and the second transmission, this head being located outside the bottle. 
     The device can also have the special feature that the head is coupled releasably to the mouth rim of the bottle by means of a connection from the group including: a screw connection, a snap connection, a bayonet connection. 
     According to an important aspect of the invention, the device according to the invention has the feature that the bottle consists substantially of PET. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, the device has the feature that the wall of the container is provided with a layer which forms a barrier to the pressurized gas in the container and forms a barrier to oxygen from the ambient air. Diffusion to the outside of for instance nitrogen gas or carbon dioxide can hereby be prevented, and oxidation of for instance the beverages through diffusion of oxygen from the ambient air to the interior of the container can effectively be prevented. 
     A very practical embodiment has the special feature that the breaking means comprise a screw thread which is present on the carrier and, in the manner of a screw and nut, co-acts with a complementary screw thread disposed fixedly relative to the breaking means. 
     In an embodiment where use is made of an operating handle present on the top side of the container there could be the risk, in the case of careless use, of the container tending to tilt during tapping, which is undesirable. In this respect it is possible to envisage embodying the device according to the invention such that an optionally releasable support is added to the container which enlarges the bottom in the direction of the operative position. Such a support can also fulfil the function of drip-tray. 
     The device according to the invention is suitable, or can be made suitable, for storing and dispensing the most diverse fluids. The device can for instance have the special feature that the fluid is a beverage such as fruit juice, mineral water, for instance a carbonated drink such as beer, soft drink, carbonated mineral water or the like. 
     According to an important aspect of the invention, the device comprises valve means controlled by the operating handle which are closed in the position of the operating handle corresponding to the rest position and are opened in the position of the operating handle corresponding to the standby position and the operative position, which valve means connect to the pressure reducing means immediately downstream of the pressure reducing means and in the rest position block passage of gas under reduced pressure to the interior of the container, and in the standby position and the operative position allow passage of gas under reduced pressure to the interior of the container. 
     In contrast to an above discussed aspect of the invention, the device can have the special feature in another embodiment that the first valve ( 11 ) is of the aerosol type. 
     The device can have the further feature that the second valve is of the aerosol type. 
     Valves of the aerosol type have the advantage of being of the generally known and frequently applied type and of being readily available commercially and at low cost. 
     The invention further relates to a container, adapted and evidently intended as component of a device according to the above stated specification, which container, after being filled, is closed sealingly by means of closing means to which guarantee seal means are added which can be broken only in recognisable manner and only in broken state enable opening of the closing means. 
     In a specific embodiment the container has the special feature that the mouth rim bears a dish in sealing manner which has in its central zone a continuous hole to which the valve unit is sealingly connected. 
     The invention further relates to a head, adapted and evidently intended as component of a device according to the above stated specification, which head bears the following components and/or to which head the following components are connected: the carrier with breaking means, the pressure reducing means, the dip tube, the valve unit, the dispensing conduit, the first operating means, the second operating means and the second transmission. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, the device can comprise: a non-return valve which at least in the standby position and the operative position is opened for passage of pressurized gas from the pressure reducing means to the interior of the container, which non-return valve comprises a valve body spring-loaded toward the closed position of the non-return valve and having a downward protruding operating pin which, when the head is placed on the container, presses against the dish and thereby opens the non-return valve such that, when a separate head is not placed on a container, the non-return valve blocks the escape of pressurized gas. 
     The device also relates to a head, adapted and evidently intended as component of a device according to the above stated specification, of which head the following components form part: the carrier with the breaking means, the pressure reducing means, the dispensing conduit, the first operating means, the second operating means and the transmission, this head being located outside the bottle. 
     The invention will now be elucidated on the basis of the accompanying drawings of three exemplary embodiments and a number of specific optional aspects. For the sake of clarity and a good understanding of the similarities and differences between the three exemplary embodiments to be described hereinbelow, identical components will, where possible and useful, be designated with the same reference numerals, and differently embodied but functionally corresponding components will be designated respectively with unmarked reference numerals for the first exemplary embodiment and the same reference numerals with respectively one and two accents for the second and third exemplary embodiment. The  FIGS. 1-12  relate to the first exemplary embodiment,  FIGS. 13-15  to a second exemplary embodiment,  FIGS. 16A ,  16 B and  16 C to an alternative valve of the aerosol type, and  FIGS. 17A ,  17 B,  17 C,  18 A and  18 B to a third exemplary embodiment. 
    
    
     
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of a device according to the invention in the rest position, wherein a support with a drip-tray is drawn some distance below the bottom; 
         FIG. 1B  is a transparent view of the device  1  according to  FIG. 1A  in which the dip tube can be seen; 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the device in standby position; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the device in the operative position; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the device in the rest position; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the device in the standby position; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the device in the operative position; 
         FIG. 7  shows a longitudinal section through a part of the device in the rest position; 
         FIG. 8  shows a longitudinal section through the same part of the device in the standby position; 
         FIG. 9  shows a longitudinal section through a part of the device in the operative position; 
         FIG. 10  shows a longitudinal section through the same part of the device as in  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9 , but in a plane perpendicularly thereof; 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of the device; 
         FIG. 12  shows a longitudinal section along the plane XII-XII in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  shows a section corresponding to  FIG. 7  through a second exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  shows a section corresponding to  FIG. 8  through a second exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 15  shows a section corresponding to  FIG. 9  through the second exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 16A  is a longitudinal section through a valve unit of the aerosol type which is applied in the second exemplary embodiment, in the position corresponding to the rest position; 
         FIG. 16B  shows a section corresponding to  FIG. 16A  through the valve unit in the ready-to-use or standby position; 
         FIG. 16C  shows a section corresponding to  FIGS. 16A and 16B  through the valve in the operative position; 
         FIG. 17A  shows a vertical section through the head in the rest position; 
         FIG. 17B  shows a section corresponding to  FIG. 17A  through the head in the standby position; 
         FIG. 17C  shows a section corresponding to  FIGS. 17A and 17B  through the head in the operative position; 
         FIG. 18A  shows a top view of the device according to the second exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG. 18B  shows a vertical section along the line IIXX-IIXX in  FIG. 18A . 
     
    
    
     As described, a device according to the invention has three positions, i.e. a rest position, a ready-to-use or standby position and an operative position. 
       FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  4 ,  7 ,  13 ,  16 A and  17 A show a device in the rest position;  FIGS. 2 ,  5 ,  8 ,  10 ,  14 ,  16 B,  17 B,  18 A and  18 B show a device in the standby position;  FIGS. 3 ,  6 ,  9 ,  11 ,  12 ,  15 ,  16 C and  17 C show a device in the operative position. 
       FIGS. 1-12  show a device  1  for dispensing a fluid, which device  1  comprises: 
     a sealed container  2  in which the fluid is received; 
     a carrier  3  for a cartridge  4  with pressurized gas, which cartridge  4  has a seal  6  which can be broken by means of first operating means  5  which can be operated manually from the outside, and the carrier comprises breaking means for breaking the seal such that gas is generated by cartridge  4 ; 
     pressure reducing means  7  which are coupled to carrier  3  and connect to breaking means  8  for receiving pressurized gas, and which generate received gas under reduced pressure to space  9  inside container  2  for charging the fluid present therein with gas under a certain overpressure; 
     a dip tube  10  which extends in container  2  from the bottom zone thereof to the inlet of a first valve  11 , the outlet  12  of which debouches on the top side of container  2 ; 
     a dispensing channel  13  which is present on the top side of container  2  and the inlet  14  of which is connected to outlet  12  of first valve  11  and the outlet  32  of which protrudes outside container  2  for the purpose of dispensing fluid; 
     second operating means  16 , which can be operated manually from the outside, for displacing valve body  33  of first valve  11 , whereby this first valve  11  is opened, this such that, due to the overpressure of the gas in container  2 , fluid is pressed via dip tube  10 , the opened first valve  11  and dispensing conduit  13  to outlet  32  of dispensing conduit  13 , and is there dispensed, 
     wherein breaking means  8  comprise a hollow pin  17  for perforating seal  6  during an axial displacement  18  of cartridge  4  relative to breaking means  8  as a result of operating the first operating means  5 ; and 
     wherein a first transmission  57 ,  58  converts a displacement of first operating means  5  from the rest position to the operative position into said axial displacement  18  of cartridge  4  relative to hollow pin  17 . 
     According to the invention this device has the special feature that third operating means  35  which can be manually operated from outside are present for displacing valve body  34  of a second valve  25  connected between the outlet of pressure reducing means  7  and container  2  for allowing passage of gas under reduced pressure only in the opened position; 
     first valve  11  and second valve  25  are both slide valves with a sleeve provided with a number of passages and an elongate valve body axially displaceable therein in sealing manner; 
     said valves are integrated into one valve unit  31  with one sleeve  36  and one valve body  37  displaceable therein; and 
     the second operating means comprise an operating handle  38  which is coupled operatively to a second transmission  39  which converts a pivoting movement of operating handle  38  into an axial movement  40  of valve body  37  relative to valve sleeve  36 , this second transmission  39  defining three stable positions, i.e.
         a rest position in which both valves  11 ,  25  are closed;   a standby position in which first valve  11  is closed and second valve  25  is opened; and   an operative position in which both valves  11 , are open.       

     As shown in, among others,  FIG. 12 , the integral valve body  33  is loaded toward the closing position of both valves  11 ,  25  by a pressure spring  65 . 
     Device  1  further has the special feature that second transmission  39  comprises a cam disc  19  which is connected with rotation locking to operating handle  38  and has three cams  21 ,  22 ,  23  corresponding to said positions, and a follower  41  is coupled to integral valve body  37 . 
     Device  1  further comprises a pressure spring  59  for pressing the follower against the cam disc. 
     As shown particularly clearly in  FIG. 10 , device  1  is embodied such that operating handle  38  is also the carrier  3  for a cartridge  4  for pressurized gas. 
     Referring once again to  FIG. 10 , this shows that in this first exemplary embodiment the pressure reducing means  7  are received in the transition zone  42  between operating handle  38  and a connecting tube  43  which is rotatable about its axis sealingly relative to the inlet of the second valve and on which the operating handle  38  extends substantially at right angles and which is coupled with rotation locking to operating handle  38 , and leads the gas under reduced pressure to second valve  25 . 
       FIG. 10  further shows that in this random exemplary embodiment the pressure reducing means  7  are adjustable by means of pressure adjusting means  26  which can be operated from outside. These pressure adjusting means comprise a turning knob  27  which can be operated from outside and which comprises an internal screw element  44  which is provided with thread  45 , which thread co-acts in screwing manner with thread  46  forming part of the tap head  47  to be described hereinbelow, which screw element  44  is in pressing co-action with a pressure spring  29  which presses on the other side against a membrane  30 . Connected to this membrane  30  via a valve stem  48  is a valve body forming part of a per se known pressure reducing valve, which will not be described further here. 
     The figures further show that in this exemplary embodiment the container is a bottle with a bottom, a body and a mouth, and the mouth rim carries a head, forming part of which are: the carrier with the breaking means, the pressure reducing means, the dip tube, the valve unit, the dispensing conduit, the first operating means, the second operating means and the second transmission, this head being located outside the container. 
     The figures further show that in this embodiment the container  2  is a bottle with a bottom  51 , a body  52  and a mouth  53 , and the mouth rim  54  sealingly bears a dish  56  which has in its central zone a continuous hole to which valve unit  31  is sealingly connected, which valve unit  31  bears dip tube  10  on its underside. 
     According to an aspect of the invention discussed above, container  2  is a bottle with a bottom  51 , a body  52  and a mouth  53 , wherein mouth rim  54  bears a head  55 , forming part of which are carrier  3  with breaking means  8 , pressure reducing means  7 , dispensing conduit  13 , first operating means  5 , second operating means  16  and the second transmission, this head  55  being located outside bottle  2 . 
     Most practical is an embodiment of the device according to the invention wherein the container embodied as bottle is provided, after being filled, with a non-removably arranged valve unit with dip tube. After arranging hereof, a cover will be arranged in combination with a guarantee seal. 
     A separate head of the described type and with the described components can be supplied with this embodiment. If desired, this head can be used a number of times. It will be apparent that for this purpose it will have to be cleaned properly in a manner to be described in the instructions for use. 
     It is therefore recommended that head  55  is coupled releasably to mouth rim  54  of bottle  2  by means of a connection from the group including: a screw connection, a snap connection, a bayonet connection. In the shown embodiment use is made of a snap connection  157 . 
     Bottle  2  consists of PET. 
     Not shown is that in device  1  the wall of container  2  is provided with a layer which forms a barrier to the pressurized gas in the container and forms a barrier to oxygen from the ambient air. This layer can be arranged either on the inner side of the wall or be embedded in the wall. 
       FIG. 10  further shows that breaking means  8  comprise a screw thread  57  which is present on carrier  3  and in the manner of a screw and nut co-acts with a complementary screw thread  58  disposed fixedly relative to breaking means  8 . 
       FIG. 1A  further shows that a releasable support  62  is added to container  2  which enlarges the bottom  51  in the direction of the operative position and thus increases the stability of device  1  during tapping. A drip-tray  63  is also added to support  62 . This is covered with a perforated plate  64 . 
     Not shown in the figures is a container which is adapted and evidently intended as component of a device according to the above stated specification, which container, after being filled, is closed sealingly by means of closing means to which guarantee seal means are added which can be broken only in outwardly recognisable manner, and only in broken state enable opening of the closing means. 
     The invention also relates to a container  2  which is adapted and evidently intended as component of a device  1  according to the foregoing specification, in which the mouth rim  54  bears a dish  56  in sealing manner which has in its central zone a continuous hole to which valve unit  31  is sealingly connected. 
     As described above, the invention also relates to a head  55 , adapted and evidently intended as component of a device  1 , which head  55  bears the following components and/or to which head  55  the following components are connected: carrier  3  with breaking means  8 , pressure reducing means  7 , dip tube  10 , valve unit  31 , dispensing conduit  13 , first operating means  5 , second operating means  16  and second transmission  39 . 
     The manner in which these three positions of operating handle  38  are functionally implemented is shown in the respective  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9 . 
     In the rest position according to  FIG. 7 , a pressure spring  59  presses the follower  41  with its recess  60  against cam  21 . Owing to this construction the rest position is stable. 
     When operating handle  38  is rotated from the position according to  FIG. 7  to the position shown in  FIG. 8 , follower  41  loses contact with cam  21  and comes into contact with cam  22 , wherein valve body  37  has undergone a downward directed displacement. In this position the second valve  25  is open, whereby propellant, in particular carbon dioxide, from the cartridge is admitted via second valve  25  to space  9  inside container  2 . During first use there could be a short wait before tapping until the gas, in particular carbon dioxide, has had the opportunity through diffusion to also partially dissolve in the fluid in order to supplement the carbon dioxide optionally prearranged therein. This is important for carbonated drinks, and in particular for beer. 
     Operating handle  38  can then be pivoted from the position shown in  FIG. 8  to the position shown in  FIG. 9 . In this position the third cam  23  is in contact with follower  41 . First valve  11  is hereby also opened whereby, as a result of the propellant pressure in the container, fluid is pressed via dip tube  10  and first valve  11  to dispensing conduit  13  and is dispensed via the outer end  32  thereof. This situation is shown on larger scale in  FIG. 12 . Arrows  61  indicate the manner in which the propellant can flow through the opened second valve  25  out of cartridge  4  to space  9 . Arrows  82  show the path along which fluid is dispensed from space  9  and supplied to dispensing conduit  13 . 
     The embodiment according to  FIGS. 13 ,  14  and  15  differs mainly from the first exemplary embodiment in the choice of the valve unit, which can be deemed the “heart” of the device according to the invention. 
     In the above described exemplary embodiment the first and the second valve are both slide valves, and these valves are integrated into one valve unit. In the further exemplary embodiments use is made of a valve unit with valves of the aerosol type. This valve has three positions corresponding to the above defined positions according to the invention as according to  FIGS. 13 ,  14  and  15 . The valve in question is shown in more detail in  FIGS. 16A ,  16 B and  16 C, in which the three respective positions are shown. 
       FIGS. 17A ,  17 B and  17 C likewise show the three respective positions. Other than in the first exemplary embodiment, use is not made in this embodiment of a cam disc with three cams, but of a curve disc  69  which co-acts with a follower  70 . 
     As shown clearly in  FIGS. 17A ,  17 B and  17 C, curve disc  69  with follower  70  defines three stable positions, these being defined by substantially partly cylindrical curve parts  71 ,  72  and  73  respectively, the distances of which to the rotation axis  74  increase from first curve part  71  to third curve part  73 . 
     After the extensive description given in respect of the first exemplary embodiment, a detailed description of the present exemplary embodiment is further omitted. 
     Valve unit  31 ′, which forms part of device  1 ′ according to  FIGS. 13 ,  14  and  15 , is drawn on larger scale and in detail in the respective  FIGS. 16A ,  16 B and  16 C. 
     Valve unit  31 ′ is of per se known type as is usual in aerosol cans, other than the valve unit  31  comprising two integrated slide valves. Valves  31 ′ and  31  are wholly similar functionally. 
     In the fully closed rest position according to  FIG. 16A  the propellant valve  75  and fluid valve  76  are both closed. In the standby position propellant valve  75  is opened and propellant is admitted as according to arrows  61  to space  78  in container  2 ′. Reference is made to the transition between  FIGS. 16A and 16B , which shows that for this purpose the hollow valve stem  79  has undergone a downward directed displacement  80  through a certain distance. 
     With a further downward directed displacement  81  fluid valve  76  is then also opened, as indicated in the transition between  FIGS. 16B and 16C , whereby via the dip tube and fluid valve  76  fluid can be displaced upward as according to arrows  82  via the hollow valve stem  79  which, in the manner shown in  FIGS. 17A ,  17 B and  17 C, connects to dispensing conduit  13 . 
     The displacements  80  and  81  are effected by the respective cams  21 ,  22  and  23  or curve parts  71 ,  72 ,  73  during the corresponding pivoting movements of operating handle  38 ,  38 ′. 
       FIG. 18B  shows a specific aspect of the invention. In this embodiment the device  1 ″ comprises a non-return valve  66  which at least in the standby position and in the operative position is opened for passage of pressurized propellant gas from the pressure reducing means (not shown in the section of  FIG. 18B ) to space  78  inside container  2 ′, which non-return valve  66  comprises a valve body  67  spring-loaded toward the closed position and having a downward protruding operating pin  68  which, when head  55 ′ is placed on container  2 ′, presses against the profiled dish  56  and thereby opens non-return valve  66  such that, when a head  55 ′ is not placed on container  2 ′, non-return valve  66  blocks free escape of pressurized propellant gas to the environment, and therefore loss of such gas. It is important for this function that dish  56  has a rotation-symmetrical form so that, when head  55 ′ is placed with a rotating movement, the pin always has the same stop position, preferably the recessed part of dish  56 . 
     The head  55 ′ further comprises valve means  169  which are controlled by operating handle  38 ′ and which are closed in the position of handle  38 ′ corresponding to the rest position and are opened in the position of operating handle  38 ′ corresponding to the standby position and the operative position. These valve means  169  connect directly downstream to the pressure adjusting means  26  and in the rest position block the passage of propellant under reduced pressure to space  78  of container  2 ′. In the standby position and the operative position the valve means allow passage of propellant under reduced pressure to the interior of the container. 
     This latter aspect achieves that, in the rest position after activation of the breaking means, the components placed downstream of said valve means, in particular seals, are not needlessly loaded by gas pressure. Such a load could after all result in wear and microleakage, whereby gas is gradually lost and the propellant cartridge might have to be replaced prematurely. 
     Valve means  169  are axially displaceable as according to an arrow  83  under the influence of the pivoting displacement of operating handle  38 ′ between the rest position and the other two positions, thus the standby position and the operative position. A transmission  84  converts the pivoting movement of operating handle  38 ′ into said axial displacement  83 . 
     The invention also relates to a separate head  55 ,  55 ′, adapted and evidently intended as component of a device  1 ,  1 ′ according to the above stated specification, of which head  55 ,  55 ′ at least the following components form part: carrier  3  with breaking means  8 , pressure reducing means  7 , dispensing conduit  13 , first operating means  5 , second operating means  16  and second transmission  39 . 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Cited literature 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 DE-U-20 
                 002 
                 335 
               
               
                   
                 EP-A-1 
                 281 
                 635 
               
               
                   
                 GB-A-1 
                 163 
                 761 
               
               
                   
                 EP-A-0 
                 342 
                 977 
               
               
                   
                 EP-A-0 
                 217 
                 615 
               
               
                   
                 EP-A-0 
                 342 
                 978 
               
               
                   
                 EP-A-1 
                 642 
                 862