Cap with valve for cartridge

Abstract

A cap ( 50 ) for a cartridge ( 10 ) comprises fastening means ( 52 ) for fastening the cap ( 50 ) to a cartridge opening ( 36 ) and a valve ( 60 ) configured to control liquid flow from inside the cartridge ( 10 ) through the cartridge opening ( 36 ) and the cap ( 50 ) under negative pressure wherein the valve ( 60 ) is a deformable ball ( 90 ) which covers one or more flow openings ( 92 ) in a non-deformed state (NS) and deforms to allow flow through the one or more flow openings ( 92 ) in the deformed state (DS). A cartridge comprising a rigid outer body, a flexible inner body at least partially inside the outer body, a cartridge opening, and a cap for the cartridge comprising fastening means for fastening the cap to the cartridge opening; and a valve configured to control liquid flow from inside the cartridge through the cartridge opening and the cap under negative pressure, wherein the valve consists of one of the following: i) a silicon cross piece, ii) a duckbill valve, iii) a deformable ball which covers one or more flow openings in a non-deformed state (NS) and deforms to allow flow through the one or more flow openings in the deformed state (DS).

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A cap ( 50 ) for a cartridge ( 10 ), the cap comprising:
 fastening means ( 52 ) for fastening the cap ( 50 ) to a cartridge opening ( 36 ); and   a valve ( 60 ) configured to control liquid flow from inside the cartridge ( 10 ) through the cartridge opening ( 36 ) and the cap ( 50 ) under negative pressure,   wherein the valve ( 60 ) is a deformable ball ( 90 ) which covers one or more flow openings ( 92 ) in a non-deformed state (NS) and deforms to allow flow through the one or more flow openings ( 92 ) in the deformed state (DS).   
     
     
         18 . The cap ( 50 ) according to  claim 17 , wherein the cap ( 50 ) further comprises a pressure ring ( 62 ) for securing one or more valve parts. 
     
     
         19 . The cap ( 50 ) according to  claim 17 , wherein the fastening means ( 52 ) comprises one or more of a thread, groove, shoulder or other connecting part. 
     
     
         20 . The cap ( 50 ) according to  claim 17 , wherein the one or more flow openings ( 92 ) extend in a radial direction (R) from a central axis (C) of the cap ( 50 ). 
     
     
         21 . The cap ( 50 ) according to  claim 17 , wherein the ball ( 90 ) comprises silicone or rubber. 
     
     
         22 . The cap ( 50 ) according to  claim 17 , wherein the ball ( 90 ) deforms through compressive forces. 
     
     
         23 . The cap ( 50 ) according to  claim 22 , wherein the compressive forces are from an injection pin ( 46 ). 
     
     
         24 . A cartridge ( 10 ) comprising:
 a rigid outer body ( 12 );   a flexible inner body ( 14 ) at least partially inside the outer body ( 12 );   a cartridge opening ( 36 ); and   a cap ( 50 ) for the cartridge comprising:
 fastening means ( 52 ) for fastening the cap ( 50 ) to the cartridge opening ( 36 ); and 
 a valve ( 60 ) configured to control liquid flow from inside the cartridge ( 10 ) through the cartridge opening ( 36 ) and the cap ( 50 ) under negative pressure, 
 wherein the valve ( 60 ) is a deformable ball ( 90 ) which covers one or more flow openings ( 92 ) in a non-deformed state (NS) and deforms to allow flow through the one or more flow openings ( 92 ) in the deformed state (DS). 
   
     
     
         25 . The cartridge ( 10 ) according to  claim 24 , wherein the valve ( 60 ) of the cap ( 50 ) extends at least partially over the cartridge opening ( 36 ) to control liquid flow from the flexible inner body ( 14 ) through the cartridge opening ( 36 ) and the cap ( 50 ). 
     
     
         26 . The cartridge ( 10 ) according to  claim 24 , wherein the valve is a deformable ball ( 90 ) which covers one or more flow openings ( 92 ) in a non-deformed state (NS) and deforms to allow flow through the one or more flow openings ( 92 ) in the deformed state (DS), wherein the one or more flow openings ( 92 ) extend in a radial direction (R) from a central axis (C) of the cap ( 50 ). 
     
     
         27 . The cartridge ( 10 ) according to  claim 26 , wherein the ball ( 90 ) deforms through compressive forces, preferably the compressive forces are from an injection pin ( 46 ). 
     
     
         28 . The cartridge ( 10 ) according to  claim 24 , wherein the cartridge ( 10 ) is configured to be inserted into a cleaning appliance ( 200 ).