US20100175206A1 - Valve coupling - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve coupling (1.1) having a discharge part (2.1) and a receiving part which can be coupled to the discharge part and which has a valve function which, in the coupled state, allows the transmission of a fluid or paste-like material from the discharge part to the receiving part. In the decoupled state, the discharge part and the receiving part are closed in a fluid-tight manner. The discharge part has a discharge valve, and the receiving part (3.1) has a receiving valve. The coupling or decoupling results in an opening or closing of the valves and is carried out by elastic deformation, wherein, in the case of coupling, the valves are opened only when the discharge part is connected to the receiving part in a fluid-tight manner, and in the case of decoupling, the valves are closed before the fluid-tight connection is broken.

Description

• The invention relates to a valve coupling having a discharge part and a receiving part to transmit a liquid or paste-like agent. The invention also relates to an electric razor or an electric oral care device, for example an electric toothbrush, with a fluid-tight separation between a handle part and an attachment that can be connected to it.
• A corresponding valve coupling is known, for example, from DE 19704920 A1. After the transmission of a liquid or paste-like agent and the subsequent separation of the discharge part from the receiving part, residues of the agent can get stuck the discharge part and the receiving part and dry out due to the design, so that on a subsequent coupling of the discharge part with the receiving part, the transmission of a liquid or paste-like agent may be blocked.
• In contrast, the object of the invention is to create an improved valve coupling, in which the function of the valve coupling is not jeopardized. A further object of the invention is to provide an electric razor or an electric oral care device, for example an electric toothbrush, which is improved with regard to a liquid-tight separation between a handle part and an attachment which can be connected to it.
• This object is achieved according toclaim1 in that a valve coupling, which has a discharge part and a receiving part which can be coupled to the discharge part and which has a valve function that allows the transmission of a fluid or paste-like material from the discharge part to the receiving part in the coupled state, and which, in the decoupled state, the discharge part and the receiving part are closed in a fluid-tight manner and the discharge part has a discharge valve, and the receiving part has a receiving valve, and the coupling or decoupling results in an opening or closing of the valves carried out by means of elastic deformation, wherein, in the case of coupling, the valves are opened only when the discharge part is connected to the receiving part in a fluid-tight manner, and in the case of decoupling, the valves are closed before the fluid-tight connection is broken. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention arise from the subclaims.
• A first embodiment provides that the discharge part is finger-shaped and hollow, that at least one round end portion of the discharge part is made of an elastic material and has a valve slit, that the receiving part has an indentation with a round end with a slit valve and is made of an elastic material, and that in the coupled state, an outer surface of the round end of the discharge part and an inner surface of the round end of the receiving part are joined together in a friction lock or a positive lock, whereby an opening is prevented in which residues of free flowing agents can accumulate, harden and dry or clump together in the discharge part and the receiving part, and thus a reliable function of the valve coupling is ensured.
• The round end of the discharge part is designed, for example, as a hollow finger shaped one-piece molded component, which comprises a rigid sleeve below the round end, whereby, on the one hand, the discharge part maintains mechanical stability, and on the other hand, the form of the round end region remains elastic. The receiving part is preferably provided with a rib brace on two opposite outer sides transverse to the length of the second valve slit, whereby, in terms of valve function (closing function), compensating for the fatigue effect of the material. For easy mounting, a flange can be molded in one piece on the receiving part, which is made more rigid by a reinforcing ring. A seal ring can be formed on the flange for attaching the receiving part in a liquid-tight manner.
• A second embodiment provides that the discharge part is finger-shaped and hollow, that a round end of the discharge part consists of an elastic material and has a valve slit, that the receiving part has a concave round end with a slit valve and consists of an elastic material, that the receiving part is designed to be axially resilient, and that an outer surface of the round end of the discharge part and an outer surface of the concave top of the receiving part friction locks or positively fits with each other in the coupled state, wherein an opening is prevented in which the residue of the agent in the discharge part and the receiving part can accumulate, harden, dry or clump, and thus a reliable function of the valve coupling is ensured.
• The round end of the discharge part is preferably designed as a hollow finger shaped one-piece molded component, which comprises a rigid sleeve below the round end, whereby, on the one hand, the discharge part maintains mechanical stability, and on the other hand, the form of the round end region remains elastic. The receiving part has an axially resilient zone which is formed by means of a rotationally symmetric constriction. By this means, the outer surface of the round end and the outer surface of the concave round end are friction locked or positively fit with each other in the coupled state.
• In a third embodiment, it is provided that the discharge part has a hollow needle with a round end, that the hollow needle has a cross-hole below the round end which is encased in a rubber sleeve, that the receiving part has a component made of an elastic material and is provided with a slit, and that in the coupled state, the hollow needle with the cross-hole is inserted through the slit, and in the process, the rubber sleeve is reversibly withdrawn through the component, that the cross-hole is released, whereby an opening is prevented in which residues of free flowing agents can accumulate, harden and dry or clump together on the discharge part and the receiving part, and thus reliable functioning of the valve coupling is ensured.
• On the free end, the rubber sleeve preferably has a reinforcing ring made of rigid material that serves as an end stop surface for the axial displacement of the rubber sleeve, wherein the receiving part has a support ring made of rigid material, which corresponds to the reinforcing ring for axial displacement. The hollow needle is preferably encased by the rubber sleeve having a small amount of clearance, which facilitates the axial displacement of the rubber sleeve on the needle. The rubber sleeve preferably has an internal seal ring which seals the cross-hole of the hollow needle from the outside in the coupled state, whereby no residue forms, accumulates, hardens or clumps outside of the hollow needle or cross-hole.
• In an exemplary example it is provided that the valve coupling is arranged in an electric razor or in an electric oral care device, for example an electric toothbrush, as a separating point between a handle part and an attachment to be connected to it.
• The invention will be described according to three embodiments.
• FIG. 1 shows in a sectional side view of the discharge part and the receiving part as a first embodiment of a valve coupling;
• FIG. 2 shows a sectional side view of a discharge part;
• FIG. 3 shows in a sectional side view of a receiving part;
• FIG. 4 shows a partial sectional side view of the valve coupling according toFIG. 1 through 3 in an electric toothbrush with a handle part and a brush attachment component that can be connected thereto;
• FIG. 5 shows a perspective side view of the discharge part according toFIG. 2;
• FIG. 6 shows a perspective side view of the receiving part according toFIG. 3;
• FIG. 7 shows a perspective side view of the valve coupling according toFIG. 1, however with two ribs arranged opposite each other;
• FIG. 8 shows a sectional side view of a discharge part and a receiving part as a second embodiment of a valve coupling;
• FIG. 9 shows a perspective side view of the valve coupling according toFIG. 8;
• FIG. 10 shows an enlarged representation of the round end region according toFIG. 8;
• FIG. 11 shows a sectional side view of a discharge part and a receiving part as a third embodiment of a valve coupling; and
• FIG. 12 shows the valve coupling accordingFIG. 11, but in the coupled state.
• FIG. 1 shows sectional side view of a self-sealing coupling valve1.1 with a discharge part2.1, and a receiving part3.1 almost in a final position of the coupled state for trasmitting a liquid or paste-like agent35. The discharge part2.1 is formed finger-shaped and hollow, wherein at least a round end5.1 of the discharge part2.1 is made of anelastic material37 and has a valve slit6.1 of a first slit valve4.1 as a discharge valve101 (FIG. 2). The thimble-like receiving part3.1 has aindentation7 with a round end5.2 with a valve slit6.2 of a second slit valve4.2 as a receiving valve102 (FIG. 3), and is made of anelastic material37. In the coupled state, the outer surface8.1 (FIG. 2) of the round end5.1 of the discharge part and the inner surface9 (FIG. 3) of the round end5.2 of the receiving part are coupled to each other by means of a friction lock or positive fit, wherein the pressure of theagent35 is transmitted through the expanded outer surface8.1 onto the inner surface9 of the round end5.2, and thus the valve slit6.2 and the slit valve4.2 are opened, whereby an opening is prevented in which the residue of theagent35 could accumulate on discharge part2.1 and on the receiving part3.1. Anannular surface43 of the end piece of asleeve16 of the discharge part and anannular surface44 on the inner round end5.2 of the receiving part form a stop.
• Thearrow34 shows the direction of flow (entrance) of theagent35 in the discharge part2.1; thearrow38 shows the direction of flow (exit) of theagent35 out of the receiving part3.1, for example, into abrush attachment33 according toFIG. 4.
• FIG. 2 shows a sectional side view of the discharge part2.1, which consists of a hollow finger shaped one-piece molding15 made ofelastic material37 and arigid sleeve16 made of a hard material—preferably of stainless metal—wherein themolded component15 is connected with thesleeve16 below the round end5.1, preferably by vulcanization, for stiffening and for stationary mounting of the discharge part2.1. The discharge part2.1 is constructed in such a way that only the area of the round end5.1 with a valve slit6.1 is resilient and can thus adapt itself to the inside9 of the receiving part3.1. The round end5.1 of the elastic moldedcomponent15 is convexly curved outward, so that the pressure of theagent35 arising from the inside expands the round end5.1 outward and thus the valve slit6.1 and the slit valve4.1 are opened.
• FIG. 3 shows a sectional side view of the receiving part3.1. In the forward area ofindentation7, the receiving part3.1 is provided with a radialcircumferential flange21 and with arigid support ring22, which is firmly mounted to theflange21. Aseal ring36 molded to theflange21 is used for the fluid-tight assembly of the receiving part3.1, wherein therigid support ring22 stabilizes theflange21 as an assembly aid. The receiving part3.1 can be attached into a detachable component, for example, in particular into a detachable brush head33 (FIG. 4) for an electric toothbrush.
• Together,FIGS. 2 and 3 show the valve coupling1.1 before or after a coupling of the discharge part2.1 with the receiving part3.1.
• AsFIG. 4 shows, the discharge part2.1 can be designed at the outlet of the fluid channel as ahandle part32 of an electric toothbrush, and the receiving part3.1 can be designed at the inlet of a fluid channel as receiving element in thedetachable brush head33. To prevent leakage of theagent35 in the coupled state, and to prevent its drying up in the uncoupled state, the round end5.1 of the of the discharge part2.1 is provided with a valve slit6.1 and the round end5.2 of the receiving part3.1 is provided with valve slit6.2. The slit valves4.1,4.2 seal in one direction like a one-way valve. Due to the pressure exerted on the round end5.1 of the discharge part2.1 created by pumping on theagent35, the valve slit6.1 of the first slit valve4.1 expands and opens.
• The receiving part3.1 in thedetachable brush head33 also has the shape of a round end5.2 with a valve slit6.2 for the transmission of theagent35. This round end5.2 has an inner diameter such that the round end5.1 of the first slit valve4.1 fits in it exactly. After coupling, a small excess of radial or axial pressure is exerted on the slit valve4.1, for example, by small externally lying ridges from within the slit valve4.2. Thus the valve slit4.2 of the round end5.2 opens when both the slit valves4.1,4.2 are joined. The slit valve4.1 is opened by the pressure of theagent35 arising from within; the slit valve4.2 is opened by the pressure exerted by the slit valve4.1 on the slit valve4.2 after they have been joined together. After separating the valve coupling1.1, both slit valves4.1,4.2 close due to the tension in thematerial37.
• FIG. 4 shows a partial sectional side view of the valve coupling1.1 according toFIGS. 1 through 3 in anelectric toothbrush31 with ahandle part32 and adetachable brush head33. In thehandle part32, a reservoir for themedium35 is arranged on the discharge part2.1 with a pump and afluid channel51, wherein the agent provided35 is for example a dental care product that can be transmitted through the valve coupling1.1 and through aliquid channel52 into thedetachable brush head33. The pump provides the necessary pressure build-up to transmit or convey themedium35 through the valve coupling into thedetachable brush head33.
• With electrical devices for personal use, it may be advantageous to support the mechanical action of the device with liquid agents, which are applied during use. Thus it can be advantageous to apply a pre-shave lotion in an electric razor while shaving, which supports easy gliding on the skin and reduces skin irritation. Particularly with electric toothbrushes, it may be advantageous to pump a dental care substance before and during cleaning from a reservoir in the handle part into the brush head, thus always providing the optimal amount of fresh material.
• FIG. 5 shows a perspective side view of the discharge part2.1 according toFIG. 1.FIG. 6 shows a perspective side view of the receiving part3.1 accordingFIG. 3.
• FIG. 7 shows a perspective side view of the valve coupling according toFIG. 1, wherein the receiving part3.1 in each case additionally has tensioningribs19,20 on two opposite outer sides17,18, transverse to the length of the second valve slit6.2.
• Since the receiving part3.1 in the coupled state is under constant tension, it is possible that the effects of aging of theelastic material37 will cause the valve slit6.2 to no longer completely close, thus making the slit valve4.2 leaky. In order to avoid this, the slit valve4.2 is put under slight tension from the outside. To this end, two or moresmall ribs19,20 opposite each other are formed on the outside of the receiving part3.1. When the round end5.1 is joined in the indentation provided for it, this causes the round end5.2 to be placed under an inward tension, which presses the second valve slit6.2 more firmly closed, compensating for the fatigue of thematerial37.
• Since the two dome-shaped slit valves6.1,6.2 lie close together in the coupled state, the quantity ofagent35 or toothpaste which could escape into the space between the two slit valves6.1,6.2 is extremely small, the risk of blockage or of sticking is virtually eliminated. It has proven to be advantageous to axially pretension the receiving part3.1 in thereplaceable brush head33 via the discharge part2.1. In this way, there is always a small area of contact of the round ends5.1,5.2 against each other, resulting in virtually no significant volume that could be filled with theagent35. Because of the axial pretensioning after coupling, which can vary in the range of a few tenths of a millimeter to two or more millimeters, because of the effect of positioning tolerances, a secure seal to the outside is achieved and an opening of the valve of the receiving part of3.1 is also given.
• A second embodiment example of a valve coupling1.2 with a discharge part2.2 and a receiving part3.2 in the coupled state for transmitting a liquid or paste-like agent35 is shown inFIG. 8, in a sectional side view. The discharge part2.1 is formed finger-shaped and hollow, wherein a round end5.3 of the discharge part2.2 is made of anelastic material37 and has a valve slit6.3 of a slit valve4.3 as a discharge valve103. The receiving part3.2 is provided with a concave round end5.5 with a valve slit6.4 of a slit valve4.4 of a receiving valve104, and is made of anelastic material37. The receiving part3.2 is designed to be axially resilient. In the coupled state, an outer surface8.2 of the round end5.3 and an outer surface8.3 of the concave round end5.5 are joined to each other by means of a friction lock or positive fit, wherein aseal ring47 around the concave round end5.5 is sealed against the exterior in contact with theend piece48 of thesleeve24.
• The round end5.3 of the discharge part2.2 is designed as a hollow finger shaped one-piece moldedcomponent23, which comprises arigid sleeve24 below the round end5.3 made of a hard material—preferably stainless metal. Thesleeve24 serves for stiffening and for stationary mounting of the moldedcomponent23 and is securely joined to the molded component, preferably by vulcanization. In this way, the discharge part2.2 is constructed in such a way that only the area of the round end5.3 with the valve slit6.3 is shape elastic.
• The receiving part3.2 has an axiallyresilient zone25 which is formed by means of a rotationallysymmetrical constriction26. In this way, a resilient coupling of the receiving part3.2 with the discharge part2.2 is achieved.
• FIG. 9 shows a perspective side view of the valve coupling1.2 according toFIG. 8.
• FIG. 10 shows an enlarged representation of the area of the round end5.3 and the concave round end5.5 according toFIG. 8. A particularly high flexibility of the round end5.3 is achieved in that anannular gap40 is arranged in theend area41 between thesleeve24 and the discharge part2.2, whereby the moldedcomponent23 can move radially when an axial pressure is applied to the outside aperture (compression). In addition, thesleeve24 provides a mechanical protection for theelastic component23.
• The two elastic round ends5.3,5.5 are joined with each other on the end face with allowance for interference, wherein the frontal surfaces of the round ends5.3,5.5 are complementarily curved. The receiving part3.2 is constructed so that it can easily be elastically shortened axially by deformation. In this way, the pressure exerted by the two round ends5.3,5.5 on the convex face builds tension in the material in the coupled state. In this way, the valve slit6.3 in the convex component is opened. Thus, a slit valve4.3 is opened already after the coupling as a discharge valve103 and should not be opened by pressure build-up of theagent35.
• A third embodiment example of a valve coupling1.3 with a discharge part2.3 and a receiving part3.3 for transmitting a liquid or paste-like agent35 is shown inFIG. 11 in a sectional side view. The discharge part2.3 has ahollow needle10 with a round end5.4, wherein thehollow needle10 has a cross-hole11 below the round end5.4, which is encased by an elastic sleeve, for example, arubber sleeve12, which seals the cross-hole11 to the outside in the coupled state, and in this way creates adischarge valve105 so that the liquid35 in thecannula42 of thehollow needle10 does not leak out or dry up.FIG. 11 shows the situation immediately prior to coupling. The receiving part3.3 has acomponent13 made of an elastic material and is provided with aslit14, and forms a receivingvalve106. Adepression49 is arranged inside around slit14. In the coupled state (FIG. 12), thehollow needle10 extends through theslit14 with the cross-hole11. Therubber sleeve12 is thereby reversibly withdrawn through thecomponent13 such that the cross-hole11 is released.
• On the free end, therubber sleeve12 has a reinforcingring27 made of rigid material that serves as an end stop surface for the axial displacement of the rubber sleeve, wherein the receiving part3.3 has asupport ring28 made of rigid material, which corresponds to the reinforcingring27 for axial displacement. Thehollow needle10 is preferably encased by therubber sleeve12 having asmall amount clearance29, which facilitates the axial displacement of therubber sleeve12 on theneedle10.
• Therubber sleeve12 preferably has aninternal seal ring30 which, in the coupled state, seals the cross-hole11 from the outside. An additionalinternal seal ring50 of therubber sleeve12 under the cross-hole11 ensures that no further contamination of theagent35 can occur across the area of the cross-hole11 out onto the exterior side of thehollow needle10.
• FIG. 12 shows the valve coupling1.3 according toFIG. 11, but in the coupled state during the transmission of a liquid or paste-like agent35. Thehollow needle10 is inserted through theslit14 of thecomponent13, wherein theagent35 is discharged out of the cross-hole11 through thedepression49. When compressed, therubber sleeve12 is deformed outwardly.
• The closed endhollow needle10 with atransverse hole11 sits in acylindrical rubber sleeve12. When it is in a relaxed state, therubber sleeve12 seals the cross-hole11 in thesteel needle42 from the outside. The corresponding component is anelastic component13, which has aslit14 in the middle. During the coupling of the third discharge part2.3 with the receiving part3.3, anannular surface45 of the end piece of therubber sleeve12 is settles onto anannular surface46 around theslit14 and radially sealed towards the outside. Then the (steel)hollow needle10 penetrates through theslit14 in theelastic component13 of the counter component and therubber sleeve12 around thehollow needle10 is compressed and deformed. In the coupled state, the cross-hole11 is in thecannula42 below theseal ring36 of theelastic component13. In this way, sealing thecannula42 to the outside is ensured. When the valve coupling1.3 is separated, therubber sleeve12 takes on its original shape again after thehollow needle10 is withdrawn theslit14 closes. Thus, theelastic component13 seals and theseal ring30 in thecylindrical rubber sleeve12 pushes back across the cross-hole11 and again seals off the system (discharge part2.3 and receiving part3.3).
• Thus, the invention includes a serial combination of two valves4.1-4.4 at a coupling site (valve coupling1.1-1.3) of a liquid stream. Two valves are provided at the ends of two fluid channels that are open after the separation of the components. In their coupled state, these valves (slit valves4.1-4.4) seal off from the outside, so that no free-flowingagent35 can leave the fluid channels. After separating the coupled site, the valves also seal the now open channels from the outside, so that noagent35 can escape or the channels quickly dry out through loss of moisture. Through a clever design of the valves4.1-4.4, theagent35 remains practically completely within the sealed area, even after separation of the valves4.1-4.4 and does not escape to the outside. Thus the risk of dried remnants of theagent35 blocking the coupling body or the valve is practically non-existent. The valves4.1-4.4 are constructed and arranged so that they can be arranged well in series in the smallest of spaces.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
• 1.1 valve coupling
• 1.2 valve coupling
• 1.3 valve coupling
• 2.1 discharge part
• 2.2 discharge part
• 2.3 discharge part
• 3.1 receiving part
• 3.2 receiving part
• 3.3 receiving part
• 4.1 slit valve
• 4.2 slit valve
• 4.3 slit valve
• 4.4 slit valve
• 5.1 round end
• 5.2 round end
• 5.3 round end
• 5.4 round end
• 5.5 concave round end
• 6.1 valve slit
• 6.2 valve slit
• 6.3 valve slit
• 6.4 valve slit
• 7 indentation
• 8.1 outside
• 8.2 outside
• 9 inside
• 10 hollow needle
• 11 cross-hole
• 12 rubber sleeve
• 13 component
• 14 slit
• 15 molded component
• 16 sleeve
• 17 outside
• 18 outside
• 19 tension rib
• 20 tension rib
• 21 flange
• 22 support ring
• 23 molded component
• 24 sleeve
• 25 resilient zone
• 26 rotationally symmetrical constriction
• 27 reinforcing ring
• 28 support ring
• 29 clearance
• 30 seal ring
• 31 electric toothbrush
• 32 handle part
• 33 brush attachment
• 34 arrow/flow direction (entrance)
• 35 medium
• 36 seal ring
• 37 elastic material
• 38 arrow/flow direction (outlet)
• 39 flange
• 40 annular gap
• 41 end area
• 42 cannula
• 43 annular surface
• 44 annular surface
• 45 annular surface
• 46 annular surface
• 47 seal ring
• 48 end/sleeve24
• 49 depression
• 50 ring seal
• 51 channel
• 52 channel
• 101,103,105 discharge valves
• 102,104,106 receiving valves

Claims (16)

1. A valve coupling with a discharge part and a receiving part which can be coupled to the discharge part with a valve function which, in the coupled state, allows the transmission of a fluid or paste-like material from the discharge part to the receiving part, wherein, in the decoupled state, the discharge part and the receiving part are closed in a fluid-tight manner, characterized in that the discharge part (2.1-2.3) has a discharge valve (101,103,105), and the receiving part (3.1-3.3) has a receiving valve (102,104,106), which when coupled or decoupled, results in an opening or closing of the discharge and receiving valves (101-16) carried out by means of elastic deformation, wherein, in the case of coupling, the valves (101-106) are opened only when the discharge part (2.1-2.3) is connected to the receiving part (3.1-3.3) in a fluid-tight manner, and in the case of decoupling, the valves (101-16) are closed before the fluid-tight connection is broken.

2. The valve coupling according toclaim 1 characterized in that the discharge part (2.1) is finger-shaped and hollow, that a round end (5.1) of the discharge part (2.1) is made of an elastic material (37) and has a valve slit (6.1), that the receiving part (3.1) has an indentation (7) with a round end (5.2) with a valve slit (6.2) and is made of an elastic material (37), and that, in the coupled state, an outer surface (8.1) of the round end (5.1) and an inner surface (9) of the round end (5.2) are joined together in a friction lock or a positive lock.

3. The valve coupling according toclaim 2 characterized in that the round end (5.1) of the discharge part (2.1) is formed by a hollow finger-shaped one-piece molded component (15) that comprises a rigid sleeve (16) below the round end (5.1).

4. The valve coupling according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the receiving part (3.1) has in each case two tension ribs (19,20) on two opposite outer surfaces (17,18), transverse to the length of the valve slit (6.2).

5. The valve coupling according to any of the previous claims, characterized in the receiving part (3.1) has a flange (21), preferably with a molded seal ring36.

6. The valve coupling according to any of the previous claims, characterized in the receiving part (3.1) has a flange (21) and a support ring (22).

7. The valve coupling according toclaim 1, characterized in the discharge part (2.2) is hollow and finger shaped, that a round end (5.3) of the discharge part (2.2) is made of an elastic material (37) and has a valve slit (6.4), that the receiving part (3.2) has a concave round end (5.5) with a valve slit (6.4) and is made of an elastic material (37), that the receiving part (3.2) is formed axially resilient, and that, in the coupled state, an outer surface (8.2) of the round end (5.3) and an outer surface (8.3) of the concave round end (5.5) are joined together in a friction lock or a positive lock.

8. The valve coupling according toclaim 7 characterized in that the round end (5.3) of the discharge part (2.2) is formed by a hollow finger shaped one-piece molded component (23) that comprises a rigid sleeve (24) below the round end (5.1).

9. The valve coupling according toclaim 7 or8, characterized in that the receiving part (3.2) has an axially resilient zone (25).

10. The valve coupling according toclaim 9, characterized in that the axially resilient zone (25) is formed by means of a rotationally symmetrical constriction (26).

11. The valve coupling according toclaim 1, characterized in that the discharge part (2.3) has a hollow needle (10) with a round end (5.4), that the hollow needle (10) has a cross-hole (11) below the round end (5.4) which is encased in an elastic sleeve (12), that the receiving part (3.3) has a component (13) made of an elastic material (37) and is provided with a slit (14), and that, in the coupled state, the hollow needle (10) with the cross-hole (11) is inserted through the slit (14), and in this process, the elastic sleeve (12) is reversibly withdrawn through the component (13) so that the cross-hole (11) is released.

12. The valve coupling according toclaim 11, characterized in that the elastic sleeve (12) has a reinforcing ring (27) on the free end made of a rigid material.

13. The valve coupling according toclaim 11 or12, characterized in that the receiving part (3.3) has a support ring (28) made of rigid material.

14. The valve coupling according toclaim 11 through13, characterized in that the elastic sleeve (12) encases the hollow needle (10) with a clearance (29).

15. The valve coupling according to any ofclaims 11 through14, characterized in that the elastic sleeve (12) has at least one interior seal ring (30,50) which, in the uncoupled state, seals the cross-hole from the outside.

16. An electric razor or electric oral care device, for example an electric toothbrush (13) with a handle part (32) and a detachable brush head (33) which can be attached to it, with a valve coupling (1.1,1.2,1.3) according to any of the preceding claims.

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