WO1999061347A1

WO1999061347A1 - Valve for pressurised fluid device

Info

Publication number: WO1999061347A1
Application number: PCT/FR1998/001059
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pierre Lasserre; Jean-Marc Aumegeas
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 1998-05-27
Filing date: 1998-05-27
Publication date: 1999-12-02
Also published as: CA2297765C; CA2297765A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a dispensing valve (1) comprising: a centreline (A) body (2) defining an inner chamber (4) communicating with the product, with an inlet (5) and outlet channel (10); a control rod (3), traversed by a dispensing channel (12) open in its two ends (3a, 3b), the rod being mounted sealed in the channel (10), one of the ends (3a) having at least a feeder passage (15), and the other end (3b) emerging outside the body (2); means (M) for selectively communicating, by the rod lateral tilting, the feeder passage (15) with the inner chamber, so as to enable the product to be dispensed via the dispensing channel. Said valve is characterised in that the valve body is made of an elastomeric material, and the rod has, inside the channel (10), a profile (14) for co-operating with a matching profile (8) of the channel (10), to define an articulation substantially about a point (P), such that, whatever the rod (3) angular position relative to the centreline (A), said rod is in sealed annular contact with the channel (10).

Description

VALVE FOR PRESSURE FLUID DEVICE

The present invention relates to a valve for dispensing a product intended to equip a dispenser comprising a container, capable of containing the product stored under pressure under the action of a propellant gas. The invention also relates to a dispenser equipped with such a valve. This dispenser is intended, more particularly, for the packaging and distribution of a fluid product, such as a cosmetic, dermatological, household, food product or a workshop product, such as for example a hair spray, a disinfectant spray. , paint or cleaning product.

The valve of the invention fitted to this dispenser is of the type which comprises an operating rod disposed axially in a valve body. The operating rod has a passage for the product to be dispensed. The valve comprises sealing means, capable of closing said passage, the operating rod being able to be resiliently displaced by lateral tilting of the rod, in the valve body between a first position for closing the passage, where the rod is in axial position, in which the passage is isolated from the product under pressure by the sealing means, and a second open position where the rod is inclined relative to the axis of the valve body, second position in which said passage is in communication with the product under pressure, to allow the distribution of the product. The valve further comprises elastic non-metallic return means, urging the rod into said first position. Furthermore, the opening of the valve can also be caused by axial depression, which is advantageous for filling the container on a packaging line.

We know, for example, from document FR-A-2 161 350, a valve comprising an operating rod disposed in a valve body formed by an elastomeric material. The actuation of this valve is carried out by axial depression of the operating rod against elastic return means. These means are constituted by a part of the valve body, bearing against the rod. The valve, according to FR-A-2 161 350, is designed to be actuated by axial depression of the rod.

A valve is also known which can be actuated by lateral tilting of the operating rod. Thus, document US-A-3,627,179 describes a tilting valve comprising a rod provided with a sealing ring and urged by means elastic return. The crown is in leaktight contact with an elastomeric ring seal. A metal cup is provided to assemble the seal on a valve body. The elastic return means are provided by a bottom of the valve body, of thin so that, during lateral tilting of the rod, the crown elastically deforms this base.

This valve has the following disadvantages: during repeated actuations of the valve, the bottom may break and, which will subsequently cause the uncontrolled dispersion of the entire contents in the atmosphere. In addition, the actuating force required for dispensing the product is not constant. Indeed, due to the variation of the internal pressure of the distributor, this actuating force is also variable.

The present invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of the valves of the prior art, and therefore has for its object a valve of simple construction and easy to fix on any type of pressure vessel. In addition, the cost price of this valve is particularly advantageous. Advantageously, the valve according to the invention does not include any metallic part.

Thus, the invention relates to a dispensing valve, made entirely of polymeric material, comprising: a) a valve body provided with a longitudinal axis, defining an internal chamber in communication with the product, said valve body having an inlet and an outlet channel; b) a control rod, crossed by a distribution channel open at its two ends, the control rod being mounted in leaktight manner in the outlet channel, one of its ends having at least one supply passage, l other end opening to the outside of the valve body; c) means for selectively placing in communication, by lateral tilting of the valve stem, the feed passage with the internal chamber, so as to allow the distribution of product via said distribution channel. According to the invention, the valve body is made of elastomeric material, and the valve stem has, inside the outlet channel, a profile, capable of cooperating with a profile complementary to the outlet channel, to define a substantially articulated joint. around a point, so that whatever the angular position of the rod relative to the longitudinal axis, said rod is in sealed annular contact with the channel.

In particular, according to a first embodiment, the rod has inside the outlet channel, an annular portion projecting from the rest of the rod, and whose cross section is spherical, having a geometric center, the outlet channel having a portion, forming a recess of a shape complementary to that of the protruding portion, and capable of receiving, in a sealed manner, said protruding portion, the point of articulation of the rod substantially coinciding with the geometric center . According to an advantageous embodiment, the annular portion forming a projection has an external diameter of approximately 4 mm to 7 mm, the rest of the rod having a diameter of between 3 mm and 4 mm.

When said complementary recess made in the outlet channel is subjected to no elastic stress, the latter has a radius of curvature less than about 10% to about 30% than the radius of curvature of the protruding portion. Thus, a tight tightening of the rod is obtained in the valve body, and this regardless of the tilting position of the rod.

According to a second embodiment, the rod present inside the outlet channel, a portion forming a recess in the form of an annular groove in the form of a torus portion, having a geometric center, the outlet channel having a portion forming a projection, of a shape complementary to that of the recess, and capable of receiving, in a sealed manner, said annular groove, the point of articulation of the rod coinciding with the geometric center of the torus. Advantageously, when said protruding portion is subjected to no elastic stress, the latter has a radius of curvature less than about 10% to about 30% than the radius of curvature of the portion forming a recess. In this case, too, there is a tight tightening of the rod in the channel so the valve body.

According to an interesting aspect of the invention, the means for selectively putting the end of the rod opening into the valve body into communication with the internal chamber comprise a sealing ring, urged by elastic return means , sealingly supported on an annular seat formed by said body.

To facilitate lateral tilting of the rod in the outlet channel of the valve body, advantageously, the distance along the axis of the rod between the articulation point and the annular seat is between 3 mm and 4 mm. For the same reasons, the valve body may have, between the point of articulation and the seat, a frustoconical portion, of which a smaller diameter is oriented towards the point of articulation.

As for the embodiment of the rod and the sealing ring, they are made, preferably in one piece, and are made of a rigid thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene.

In particular, the sealing ring which is advantageously secured to the rod, is housed in the valve chamber and urged in compression by the elastic return means on the annular seat of the body, surrounding the rod. Thus, when the operating rod is at rest, the annular seat provides, on the one hand a perfect seal between the external wall of the rod and the valve chamber, and on the other hand, the crown isolates, in valve closed position, the valve chamber of the stem outlet channel. Advantageously, the sealing ring is cylindrical. When the operating rod is actuated against the return means, by lateral tilting, the crown partially deviates from the annular seat, and a communication is established between the valve chamber and the outside, allowing the distribution of the product under pressure. .

To ensure the mobility of the sealing ring in the internal chamber, the latter may have, between the seat and the inlet orifice, a frustoconical portion of which a smaller diameter is oriented towards the inlet orifice. This frustoconical portion facilitates, in particular, the tilting of the operating rod.

Advantageously, the stem distribution channel opens into the valve body via a passage passing through the stem radially, near the sealing ring.

Two possibilities have been provided for producing the elastic return means. According to a first possibility, the elastic return means consist of one or more elastomeric studs carried by a wall of the chamber and integral with the latter, this (or these) stud (s) being in elastic abutment against a part carrying the crowned. Advantageously, the stud (s) has (or have) come (s) in one piece with the valve body. In particular, when the valve chamber has a bottom consisting of a frustoconical portion, this (or these) stud (s) is (or are) disposed (s) on this frustoconical portion. Advantageously, the number of studs is 4 or 6. These studs are preferably of small size relative to the chamber, for example with a height of the order of 0.5 mm to 3 mm. According to a second possibility, the stud (s) is (or are) carried by a part carrying the crown and disposed on the face opposite to the sealing zone, in elastic support against a wall of the room.

Any elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness of between 30 and 70 can be provided for producing the valve body.

Thus, the valve body is given both sufficient elasticity to be able to mount the operating rod therein and sufficient rigidity to ensure its shape stability. In addition, when the return means are produced in the form of studs carried by one of the walls delimiting the internal chamber, these studs can be deformed by crushing, when the valve is actuated.

The valve of the invention is intended to equip a dispenser with a liquid product. It is designed more particularly to be mounted on the neck of a container filled with the product and pressurized using a propellant gas. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, this dispenser is free of metal cup, usually used for fixing a valve on a container, and the valve is mounted directly on the neck of the container. In this case, the neck is shaped so that it can cooperate with the latching means of the valve.

Thanks to the latching means mentioned above, the assembly of the valve body on the container can thus be carried out without the need for recourse to a conventional cup, since the elasticity of the material constituting the valve body ensures, on the one hand the deformation necessary for mounting it on the container, and on the other hand, sufficient sealing to resist the internal pressure of the container.

Thus, the valve according to the invention is of simple construction and has only a reduced number of components. In fact, it only comprises an operating rod and a valve body which are easy to assemble. In addition, this valve does not include any metal component, capable of coming into contact with the product to be dispensed, risking, if necessary, degrading this product.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valve body further comprises external latching means capable of cooperating with an orifice of a container of liquid product on which said valve is mounted for dispensing of said product. Advantageously, these latching means consist of an annular groove formed in the external wall of the valve body.

The container that can be used for mounting this valve can be chosen from aluminum, tinplate or plastic containers. To this end, the container has an open end (or orifice) capable of cooperating with the latching means of the valve body.

Thus, the valve of the invention can be mounted on such a container by a simple driving operation, and does not require, in addition, intermediate parts or seals. Another advantage lies in the fact that the containers capable of being assembled with the valve of the invention can be chosen from simple containers and therefore economically advantageous. For this purpose, the orifice of the container in which the valve body is to be mounted, may have, in particular, relatively wide tolerances and the mounting of the valve on the container does not require any particular shaping and, consequently, expensive.

To better understand the present invention, a description will now be given, by way of purely illustrative and in no way limiting examples, several embodiments of the invention, as shown in the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:

- Figure 1 shows an axial section of a first embodiment of a valve according to the invention, in the closed position;

- Figure 2 shows an axial section of the valve of Figure 1, in the open position;

Figure 3 shows an axial section of a second embodiment of the valve according to the invention;

- Figure 4 shows a partial axial section of a container equipped with the valve of Figure 1, and free of a valve holder cup.

The valve 1 according to the invention, shown in Figures 1 and 2, respectively in the closed and open position, is intended to equip a dispenser containing a liquid product, such as a hair spray for example, pressurized by the action of a propellant. As can be seen, in particular in FIG. 1, the valve 1 comprises a body 2 having a general truncated cone shape with an axis of revolution A, and an operating rod 3, of generally cylindrical shape, provided with an X axis. In the valve rest position, the axes A and X are merged. The rod 3 is made of a rigid thermoplastic material.

According to the invention, the valve body 2 is made of an elastically deformable material, for example an elastomer of nitrile rubber, whose Shore A hardness is in the range between 30 and 70. The body has a large base 2a and a small base 2b, connected by a frustoconical part 2c and a cylindrical part 2d.

Inside the valve body 2 is formed an internal chamber 4 of circular section, delimited by peripheral walls 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d. The wall 4a is cylindrical in shape and is connected to a frustoconical portion 4b, the top of which opens towards the outside of the valve chamber via an axial intake channel 5.

The axial intake channel 5, intended for the admission of the product to be dispensed, is formed in the center of the small base 2b and opens into the chamber 4. This intake channel 5 is connected to a dip tube 6, the free end

(not shown) permanently immersed in the product. This product is packaged in a container fitted with valve 1 (see Figure 4).

On the side opposite to the inlet channel 5, the cylindrical wall 4a is connected to an annular sealing zone 4c situated in a plane perpendicular to the axis A. The annular zone 4c is extended upward by a second frustoconical portion 4d, facilitating the tilting of the rod 3. The top of the frustoconical portion 4d opens into a recess 8 of substantially spherical shape. This recess 8 is part of an outlet channel 10 which is arranged in the extension of the intake channel 5, the channel 10 leading, from the internal chamber 4, to the outside. The output channel

10 is crossed by the rod 3, the external wall of the rod 3 being in perfect sealing contact against the wall delimiting the outlet channel 10. Substantially halfway up the outlet channel 10, the rod 3 has an annular portion 14 projecting from the rest of the rod, and whose axial cross section is spherical in shape, complementary to the shape of the recess 8. A free end 11 of the outlet channel 10 has a conical bore, while the other end 13 of the outlet channel forms the frustoconical portion 4c above.

The rod 3 comprises a central distribution channel 12 passing through the rod from the emerging end 3b to a height situated substantially at the height of the annular zone 4c. At this height, the central channel 12 ends in a radial passage 15 passing through the rod radially and ending in the upper part of the chamber 4. The end part 3a of the rod is shaped as a truncated cone 3c comprising a large 16 and a small

17 bases connected by a frustoconical part 18. The large base 16 carries a peripheral crown 19 in sealed elastic support against the annular zone 4c, which then constitutes a seat. In practice, the crown has radially a small thickness d ₁ (approximately 0.1 to 0.5 mm, see FIG. 2). The elastic support of the crown 19 against the seat 4c is provided by several studs 20, distributed regularly on the frustoconical wall 4b of the chamber 4 and in elastic support against the frustoconical part 18 of the rod 3. Thus, the free edge of the crown 19 enters a few io ^th of mm into the seat 4c and creates a perfect seal between the valve chamber and the distribution channel.

According to another embodiment, the studs 20 can be produced on the truncated cone 3c of the rod and molded integrally with the latter. These studs are in elastic support against the frustoconical wall 4b. Thus, when the valve is actuated by tilting the rod 3, the studs partially enter the wall 4b.

The rod 3 (including the truncated cone 3c) is made of a relatively rigid thermoplastic material such as polypropylene. Its diameter is from about 3 mm to about 4 mm, its external annular portion forming a projection 14 having a diameter between 4 mm and 7 mm. In this case, the complementary recess 8, when subjected to no elastic stress, has an internal diameter which is approximately 10% to 30% smaller than the external diameter of the protruding portion 14. Advantageously, the center P of the portion protruding 14 is at an axial height along the axis A, located from 3 mm to 4 mm from the seat 4c. A transition zone of the valve body, located between the cylindrical part 2d and the frustoconical part 2c of the body 2, comprises latching means 7 in the form of an annular fixing groove whose role will be explained during the description of Figure 3.

The operation of the valve 1 is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2. To cause the valve 1 to open, the rod 3 is pivoted around the point of articulation P, in the direction of the arrow B. during this pivoting , the axis X of the rod is inclined relative to the axis A of the valve body, the angle α formed between the two axes being of the order of 2 ° to 10 °. During this pivoting, a part 19a of the crown 19 moves away from the seat 4c, creating a spacing d ₂ . At the same time, the stud (s) 20 which is (are) on the frustoconical wall 4b, on the side opposite the spacing d ₂ , is (are) crushed (s) by the frustoconical part 3c of the stem. In the embodiment considered, four studs 20 of elongated shape have been made with a height of approximately 1 mm, a width of approximately 1.5 mm and a length of approximately 1.5 mm. Under the thrust of a propellant gas, the product is then conveyed via the dip tube 6 and the inlet orifice 5 into the chamber 4, to arrive in the distribution channel 12 via the spacing d ₂ and the radial passage 15. When the pivoting ceases, the dispensing of the product stops, because the crown 19 returns in sealed contact against the seat 4c. Thus, during the pivoting of the rod in the outlet channel, the latter remains in sealed annular contact with the channel, at the level of all or part of its spherical portion 14.

In FIG. 3, a second embodiment of a valve according to the invention is shown, taken as a whole the reference 101. This valve, shown in the rest position, differs from the valve of Figures 1 and 2 in that the shape of the profile of the annular portion of the rod, as well as the shape of the complementary profile of the outlet channel are reversed. The parts of the valve 101 identical or playing a role similar to the parts of the valve of Figures 1 and 2, bear the same references increased by 100. Their description will not be repeated only succinctly.

Thus, the valve stem 103 passes through the outlet channel 110 which connects the valve chamber 104 with the outside. The rod has, inside the outlet channel, approximately halfway up, a portion 1 14 forming a recess in the form of an annular groove in the form of a torus portion, having a geometric center P, the outlet channel 1 10 having a portion 108 projecting, of a shape complementary to that of the recess 1 14, and able to receive in leaktight manner the annular groove, the point of articulation of the rod 103 coinciding with the geometric center P of the torus. The operation of valve 103 is analogous to the operation of valve 1.

In Figure 4, we see the valve according to Figures 1 and 2, mounted on a container 202 without valve holder cup. This container is a bottle made of aluminum, in particular one-piece, or of a rigid plastic material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The container 202 has a neck 204, the open end of which is folded back square forming an annular plate 206, provided with a circular orifice 208.

In the orifice 208 is fixed the valve body 2 1, by depressing the latter, so that the annular plate 206 comes to lodge in the annular groove 7 of the valve body 2. Due to the elasticity of the body 2, the insertion of the latter into the orifice 208 can be carried out by a simple operation. In addition, when the orifice 208 has variations in diameter, the relatively large tolerances are compensated for by the elasticity of the valve body, without risk of leakage of propellant gas. This arrangement is particularly advantageous from the economic point of view.

Claims

1. - Dispensing valve (1, 101) of a product in the form of a liquid, a foam or a gel, comprising: a) a valve body (2, 102) of axis (A ) defining an internal chamber

(4, 104) in communication with the product, said valve body having an inlet port (5, 105) and an outlet channel (10, 110); b) a control rod (3, 103), traversed by a distribution channel

(12, 112) open at its two ends (3a, 103a; 3b, 103b), the control rod being mounted in sealed manner in the outlet channel, one of its ends (3a, 103a) having at least one supply passage (15), the other end (3b, 103b) opening out to the outside of the valve body; c) means (M) for selectively placing in communication, by lateral tilting of the valve stem (3, 103), the supply passage (15) with the internal chamber (4, 104), so as to allow distributing product via said distribution channel (12, 112); characterized in that the valve body (2, 102) is made of elastomeric material, and in that the valve stem (3, 103) has, inside the outlet channel (10, 110), a profile (14 , 114), capable of cooperating with a complementary profile (8, 108) of the outlet channel, to define an articulation substantially around a point (P), so that whatever the angular position of the rod relative to the axis (A), said rod (3, 103) is in sealed annular contact with the channel (10, 110).

2. - Dispensing valve according to claim 1 characterized in that, the rod (3) has inside the outlet channel (10), an annular portion projecting (14) relative to the rest of the rod, and of which a cross section is spherical, having a geometric center (P), the outlet channel (10) having a portion, forming a recess (8) of shape complementary to that of the protruding portion (14), and suitable receiving, in a sealed manner, said protruding portion, the point of articulation of the rod substantially coinciding with the geometric center (P).

3. - Dispensing valve according to claim 2 characterized in that the annular portion forming a projection (14) has an external diameter of about 5 to

7 mm, the rest of the rod (3) having a diameter of between 3 and 4 mm.

4. - Dispensing valve according to any one of claims 2 or 3 characterized in that when said complementary recess (8) is subjected to no elastic stress, the latter has a radius of curvature less than about 10% to about 30% to the radius of curvature of the protruding portion (14).

5. - Dispensing valve according to claim 1 characterized in that, the rod (103) has, inside the outlet channel (110), a portion forming a recess (114) in the form of an annular groove in torus portion shape, having a geometric center (P), the outlet channel (110) having a protruding portion (108), of shape complementary to that of the recess (114), and capable of receiving, in a sealed manner, said annular groove ( 114), the point of articulation of the rod coinciding with the geometric center (P) of the torus.

6. - Dispensing valve according to claim 5 characterized in that when said protruding portion (108) is subjected to no elastic stress, it has a radius of curvature of about 10% to about 30% less than the radius of curvature of the portion forming a recess (114).

7. - Dispensing valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means (M), for selectively placing in communication, the supply passage (15) with the internal chamber (4, 104), comprise a sealing ring (9, 109), urged by elastic return means (20, 120), sealingly supported on an annular seat (4c, 104c) formed by said body.

8. - Dispensing valve according to claim 7, characterized in that the distance, along the axis X, between the point of articulation (P) and the annular seat (4c, 104c), is between 3 mm and 4 mm.

9. - Dispensing valve according to claim 7 or 8 characterized in that the valve body (2, 102) has, between the articulation point (P) and the seat (4c, 104c), a frustoconical portion (4d, 104d), of which a smaller diameter is oriented towards the point of articulation.

10. - Dispensing valve according to any one of claims 7 to 9 characterized in that the internal chamber (4, 104) has between the seat (4c, 104c) and the inlet orifice (5, 105) a frustoconical portion (4b, 104b) of which a smaller diameter is oriented towards the inlet orifice.

11. - Dispensing valve according to any one of claims 1 to 10 characterized in that the dispensing channel (12, 112) opens into the valve chamber (4, 104) via a passage (15 , 115) passing through the rod radially.

12. - Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve body comprises external latching means (7,) able to cooperate with an orifice (208) of a container (202) of product. liquid on which said valve (1) is mounted for dispensing said product.

13. - Valve according to claim 12, characterized in that the latching means (7, 107) consist of an annular groove.

14. - Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastomeric material has a Shore A hardness included in the range from 30 to 70.

15. - Valve according to any one of claims 7 to 14, characterized in that the rod (3, 103) and the crown (19, 119) are made of a rigid thermoplastic material.

16. - Valve according to one of claims 7 to 15, characterized in that the elastic return means (20, 120) consist of at least one elastomeric stud carried by a wall (4b, 104b) of the chamber (4 , 104) and secured thereto, this (or these) stud (s) being in elastic abutment against a part (18, 118) carrying the crown (19, 119).

17. - Valve according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the elastic return means consist of at least one stud produced on a part (18, 118) carrying the crown, on the side opposite to the area of sealing, in elastic support against a wall of the chamber.

18. - Distributor comprising a container (202) filled with a liquid product pressurized with a propellant gas and a valve (1, 101) for the distribution of said product, characterized in that the valve conforms to any of the preceding claims.

19. - Dispenser according to claim 18, characterized in that the container (202) is provided with a neck (204) capable of cooperating with the latching means (7) of the valve (1).

20. - Distributor according to claim 19, characterized in that the valve (1) is mounted directly on the neck (204) of the container (202).