EP0043514B1 - Spray valve assembly - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a spray valve arrangement for an aerosol can, with a one-piece valve housing made of plastic, which can be used with a sealing end with an upper end in the upper part of the can, limits a main channel for the passage of the contents of the can and a main valve with a valve stem which can be actuated manually against the force of a spring the main channel, an immersion tube that extends the main channel, a secondary channel connecting the can space to the main channel above the maximum filling level, and a valve seat of an auxiliary valve formed at the junction of the main and secondary channel with a metal valve ball in one of an outer, within the cross section of the Has the upper end of the valve housing, cylindrical valve housing part surrounding cylindrical auxiliary valve chamber, wherein the auxiliary valve seat is below the valve ball, so that this does not hinder the main channel and blocks the secondary channel in the normal position of the can, d counter in the head overlay of the can releases the secondary channel, and the main channel is guided laterally past the auxiliary valve.

In a known spray valve arrangement of this type (US Pat. No. 3,447,551), the auxiliary valve chamber is concentric with the valve housing. The section of the main channel which is guided past the auxiliary valve therefore inevitably has a very small, flow-deficient passage cross section over its entire length due to the predetermined outer valve dimensions. Since the dimensions of the valve housing must also be kept as small as possible in view of the lowest possible material expenditure in the case of such cans produced in large quantities, the flow resistance in this main channel section is relatively high. This leads to a pressure drop that undesirably affects the spraying effect of the valve arrangement. The upper opening of the auxiliary valve chamber provided for installing the auxiliary valve ball is closed by a second ball which is under the pressure of the return spring of the main valve stem. The auxiliary valve ball is therefore pressed down on its valve seat by the propellant or compressed gas standing above the liquid level in the can, which penetrates into the auxiliary valve chamber via the secondary channel, so that the connection between secondary and main channel in the normal position of the can is interrupted and the compressed gas cannot flow out of the head space of the can. In the upside-down position of the can, on the other hand, the auxiliary valve ball falls downward, so that the secondary channel is now connected to the main channel and the liquid can be dispensed via the secondary channel to the main channel and through it. Without special measures, however, the compressed gas can also flow out via the main channel. In the normal position, there is then no longer a sufficient outlet pressure for the residual liquid in the can.

The US-PS 33 15 693 and DE-OS 28 17393 show a similar spray valve arrangement, in which the auxiliary valve chamber (including its wall and the auxiliary valve) lies outside the cross section of the upper end of the valve housing which can be used in the can top for sealing purposes. This structure is correspondingly expensive in terms of material and, in addition, requires (during the (automatic) assembly) the valve housing to be arranged in a predetermined rotational angle position relative to the device supplying the auxiliary valve ball, in order to ensure that the auxiliary valve ball is inserted into the auxiliary valve chamber.

The invention has for its object to provide a spray valve assembly of the generic type, the structure of which meets the requirements of mass production and, above all, ensures lower output pressure losses.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the auxiliary valve in the outer valve housing part surrounding the auxiliary valve chamber has an eccentricity which is approximately equal to the difference between the inner radii of the outer valve housing part and the auxiliary valve chamber, and in that the difference between the outer diameter of the auxiliary valve chamber and the inner diameter of the outer valve housing part is smaller than the diameter of the valve ball of the auxiliary valve.

This configuration ensures that the average cross-section of the main channel, based on the outside diameter of the housing, increases in the relatively long section next to the auxiliary valve. In this section, therefore, the flow losses and thus the output pressure losses are lower compared to a concentric arrangement with an otherwise identical outer housing diameter. The liquid can therefore be dispensed at the same pressure at a higher speed and consequently in a finely atomized form. At the same time, the outer wall of the outer valve housing part forms part of the wall of the auxiliary valve chamber. This not only saves material in terms of mass production, but also helps to reduce pressure losses by increasing the cross-section of the main channel. The selected difference between the outer diameter of the auxiliary valve chamber and the inner diameter of the outer valve housing facilitates the mounting of the ball of the auxiliary valve. It only needs to be thrown into the valve housing, which is open at the upper end, and yet aligns itself automatically over the insertion opening of the auxiliary valve chamber, without first holding it in the desired installation position with the same eccentricity as that of the auxiliary valve chamber.

The junction of the secondary channel in the auxiliary valve chamber can be below the ball. If a possible escape of the compressed gas is accepted when the main valve is actuated in the upside-down position of the can, then a shut-off ball or the like for the ball insertion opening of the auxiliary valve chamber can be omitted. Since aerosol cans are manufactured in large numbers, the elimination of a single part compared to the previously known construction ultimately means a considerable saving in terms of material and assembly costs. For a safe interruption of the connection between the secondary and main channels when the main valve is actuated in the normal position of the aerosol can, the weight of the ball of the auxiliary valve is sufficient - provided the valve is sized accordingly.

Although it is fundamentally possible to have the secondary channel open in the conical surface of the auxiliary valve seat, it is more advantageous if the secondary channel ends at the lowest point of the auxiliary valve seat. In the vertical normal position of the aerosol can, the ball closes the auxiliary valve against the gas pressure not only with a component of its weight, but with its full weight.

If the ball is retained in the auxiliary valve chamber by a lock located above the ball, so that the ball cannot fall out of the valve chamber in the upside-down position, the lock can release an assembly passage for the ball from the main valve housing space to the auxiliary valve chamber. Here you can do without an additional component for the lock. Nevertheless, it is ensured that not only the ball can be easily inserted into the auxiliary chamber during assembly, but also that the liquid can be dispensed through the auxiliary valve chamber over a relatively large passage cross-section when the main valve is actuated in the upside-down position of the can. If the passage is axially parallel and the barrier is formed by at least one flexible projection projecting radially inward on the passage, the ball can simply be pressed over the projections into the auxiliary valve chamber during assembly.

Instead of securing the ball in the auxiliary valve chamber by means of the lock mentioned, a housing insert delimiting the chamber can be provided, which preferably has control or control openings for the flow course outside the chamber, which can be kept larger or smaller depending on the intended use of the spray valve .

The valve housing preferably has an annular circumferential projection on its inner wall, via which the housing insert can be pushed away during assembly and can be snapped behind it for axial securing. The spring used to reset the main valve stem is supported on the housing insert. In this way, the tight fit of the housing insert on the upper wall of the chamber of the auxiliary valve is additionally ensured.

It is also advantageous if the cross section of the narrowest part of the secondary channel is larger than that of the narrowest part of that main channel section that connects to the secondary channel in the flow direction within the valve housing. In this way, any gas loss from the container is ensured even when the container is upside down, since more and more liquid flows into the main channel through the secondary channel than can flow into the main channel below the mouth of the secondary channel.

In a further embodiment, in the case of an arrangement with a housing insert delimiting the auxiliary valve chamber, the housing insert can have a second auxiliary valve seat above the ball and surround an opening of the main channel into the auxiliary valve chamber. Here, it is now also ensured in the upside-down position of the can that the same ball, due to its own weight, blocks the mouth of the main channel into the auxiliary valve chamber, so that the compressed gas cannot flow out before the liquid level (or liquid level) of the container in the upside down -Did not fall at least into the valve housing below the inlet opening of the secondary duct. If the secondary channel in the normal position opens from below and the main channel from above into the auxiliary valve chamber, the flow pressure of the liquid flowing out through the auxiliary valve chamber when the main valve is open, together with the weight of the ball, acts against the lifting of the ball from the valve seat by the gas pressure and this independently whether the aerosol can is held in the normal vertical position or vice versa (upside down).

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the mouth of the secondary channel in the first auxiliary valve seat and the mouth of the main channel in the second auxiliary valve seat are coaxial with one another in the changeover valve. In this way, the liquid flow pressure acts on the valve ball in the opposite direction to the gas pressure, so that the liquid flow pressure is fully effective as a closing pressure against gas leakage. At the same time it is ensured that the ball only needs to be thrown into the upper opening of the valve housing in order to bring it exactly into the installed position in the center of the lower valve seat of the auxiliary valve before the housing insert is inserted.

The valve housing preferably has a transverse slot and an axial bore, which form the secondary channel. When manufacturing the valve housing, which is made of plastic, a single plate-shaped slide for the transverse slot and a cylindrical round mandrel for the axial bore at the core of the mold are therefore sufficient. The end face of the mandrel can rest against the plate over a large area, in contrast to the formation of two cylindrical bores at an angle to one another, in which a correspondingly cylindrical slide would be required, the a flat end face of the core mandrel would only come into linear contact, so that this end face would have to be correspondingly cylindrical in a complex manner in order to form a large cross-sectional area between the two bores.

Then it is preferably ensured that the main channel has a second eccentric valve with a second valve ball made of metal and a second auxiliary valve seat above the second ball below the junction of the main and secondary channel. In this way, gas escape is prevented not only in the normal position but also in the upside-down position of the can by the first or second valve ball. A housing insert can, however, be omitted here.

It is advantageous if the auxiliary valves are axially offset and radially overlap. In this way, the passage cross section for the main channel is maintained even with a small outer diameter of the valve housing and two auxiliary valves.

The ratio of the inner diameter of the outer valve housing part to the diameter of the first valve ball can be in the range from 1.5 to 2, preferably 1.75. Based on the maximum diameter of the valve housing, this results in a relatively large ball with a correspondingly high weight, which ensures a secure closure.

A configuration of the arrangement in which the inlet opening of the secondary duct is in the immediate vicinity of the upper part of the can is particularly favorable. In this case, practically all of the liquid can be dispensed from the can in the upside-down position of the can, because the inlet opening of the secondary channel occupies the lowest point in the can (in the upside-down position).

This deep position of the inlet opening of the secondary channel can be achieved, for example, by designing the entrance of the secondary channel into the auxiliary valve chamber as an axial bore in the outer wall of the valve housing. A simpler design, however, can consist in that an initial section of the secondary channel is formed by a groove formed in the outside of the valve housing, which begins on the inside of the upper part of the can and is covered up to the vicinity of the upper part of the can by the dip tube pushed over the valve housing. A groove in a plastic housing is easier to make than a hole.

The auxiliary valve chamber or both auxiliary valve chambers can or may be limited in part by two housing inserts. This not only simplifies the manufacture of the valve housing, but in the case of two auxiliary valve chambers also facilitates the introduction of the valve balls only from one opening side of the valve housing.

• Figur 1 ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Sprühventilanordnung mit einem exzentrischen Hilfsventil, das nur eine Ventilkugel aufweist und als Umschaltventil mit zwei Ventilfunktionen wirkt, in der normalen Vertikallage im Axialschnitt B-B nach Fig. la,
• Figur 1a den Schnitt A-A der Fig. 1,
• Figur 2 einen Teil eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Sprühventilanordnung mit einem exzentrischen Hilfsventil, das nur eine Ventilfunktion aufweist, in der normalen Vertikallage im Axialschnitt,
• Figur 3 einen Teil eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Sprühventilanordnung mit zwei exzentrischen Hilfsventilen in der normalen Vertikallage im Axialschnitt,
• Figur 4 einen Teil eines vierten Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Sprühventilanordnung mit zwei exzentrischen Hilfsventilen in der normalen Vertikallage im Axialschnitt,
• Figur 5 ein fünftes Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Sprühventilanordung mit nur einem exzentrischen Hilfsventil in der normalen Vertikallage im Axialschnitt,
• Figur 6 einen Teil eines sechsten Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Sprühventilanordnung mit zwei exzentrischen Hilfsventilen in der normalen Vertikallage im Axialschnitt,
• Figur 7 einen Teil eines siebten Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Sprühventilanordnung mit wei exzentrischen Hilfsventilen in der normalen Vertikallage im Axialschnitt und
• Figur 8 einen Teil eines achten Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Sprühventilanordnung mit nur einem exzentrischen Hilfsventil in der normalen Vertikallage im Axialschnitt.

The invention and its developments are described below with reference to the drawing of preferred embodiments. Show it :

• 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a spray valve arrangement according to the invention with an eccentric auxiliary valve which has only one valve ball and acts as a changeover valve with two valve functions, in the normal vertical position in the axial section BB according to FIG.
• 1a shows the section AA of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 2 shows part of a second exemplary embodiment of a spray valve arrangement according to the invention with an eccentric auxiliary valve, which has only one valve function, in the normal vertical position in axial section,
• FIG. 3 shows part of a third exemplary embodiment of a spray valve arrangement according to the invention with two eccentric auxiliary valves in the normal vertical position in axial section,
• FIG. 4 shows part of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a spray valve arrangement according to the invention with two eccentric auxiliary valves in the normal vertical position in axial section,
• FIG. 5 shows a fifth exemplary embodiment of a spray valve arrangement according to the invention with only one eccentric auxiliary valve in the normal vertical position in axial section,
• FIG. 6 shows part of a sixth exemplary embodiment of a spray valve arrangement according to the invention with two eccentric auxiliary valves in the normal vertical position in axial section,
• Figure 7 shows a part of a seventh embodiment of a spray valve arrangement according to the invention with white eccentric auxiliary valves in the normal vertical position in axial section and
• Figure 8 shows a part of an eighth embodiment of a spray valve arrangement according to the invention with only one eccentric auxiliary valve in the normal vertical position in axial section.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 1a, in an upper part 1 of an aerosol can which is only partially shown, an open valve with an actuating valve stem 2 partially shown in section, a closure piece 3 in the form of an elastic washer and a valve housing 4 made of plastic are used .

The valve housing 4 has an upper valve housing part 5 and a lower valve housing part 6, which are connected in one piece.

The upper valve housing part 5 is tightly crimped in the upper part 1 of the can. The lower valve housing part 6 has a connecting nipple 7 for a dip tube, only partially shown, which projects into the can contents into the vicinity of the can base and is open at the bottom.

The valve stem 2 is guided with its lower, thicker end, which has vertical ribs on the outside, in the upper valve housing part 5 and is seated with its upper end in a main valve actuating head 9, which has a spray opening.

The lower end of the valve stem 2 is supported by a spring 10 for resetting the valve stem 2 in a housing insert 11 and presses it tightly against an inner shoulder 12 of the lower valve housing part 6.

The housing insert 11 limits together with the lower valve housing part 6, an auxiliary valve chamber 13 of an auxiliary valve acting as a changeover valve, which has a valve ball 14 made of metal, preferably steel, a first frustoconical valve seat 15 below the ball 14 in the lower valve housing part 6 and a second frustoconical valve seat 16 above the ball 14 in the housing insert 11 .

A secondary channel 17, which in the illustrated vertical position of the valve arrangement lies above the maximum fill level of the can, connects in this position the area of the interior of the can filled with compressed gas to the lower valve seat 15, its mouth 18 at the lowest point of the valve seat below the Ball 14 lies. At the beginning, the secondary channel 17 is designed as a transverse or horizontal slot 19 which merges into a vertical bore 20.

The course of the main channel 21 for the passage of the can contents is shown as a dashed line. A part 22 of the main channel 21 extends laterally next to the auxiliary valve through an axial channel 23 in the lower valve housing part 6, an axial groove 24, a radial bore 25 and an axial bore 26 in the housing insert 11 up to a mouth 27 lying coaxially to the mouth 18 Above the ball 14 in the upper valve seat 16. The main channel continues via a radial recess 28 in the form of a groove in the wall of the housing insert 11 and an axial groove 29, which is also formed in the housing insert 11. The grooves 28, 29 form a direct passage from the auxiliary valve chamber 13 to the main valve housing space 33. In order to ensure during assembly that the channel 23 and the groove 24 are aligned, an axial projection on the underside of the housing insert 11 can be made in a recess on the Engage the top of shoulder 12.

The upper part of the housing insert 11 has the shape of a pot in which the spring 10 engages.

A radial locking projection 31 on one and the diametrically opposite inside of the upper valve housing part 5, which can also be designed as a circumferential ring projection, reaches for the axial position securing of the housing insert 11 directly over the upper edge of the housing insert 11 and can be used when inserting the Compress the housing insert 11 radially outwards so far that the housing insert 11 can be guided over the locking projection 31.

The auxiliary valve chamber 13 is formed eccentrically to the outer part of the valve housing 4 or to the valve housing part 6. The eccentricity is approximately equal to the difference between the inner radii of the auxiliary valve chamber 13 and the valve housing part 6, so that the outer wall of the valve housing part 6 simultaneously forms part (the part on the left in FIG. 1) of the wall of the auxiliary valve chamber 13.

The axial grooves 24 and 29 are separated by a wall 43 which, with its radially outer edge, lies tightly against the inside of the valve housing upper part 5. The groove 29 is open at the top, while the groove 24 is closed at the top by the transverse wall 44 of the insert 11.

The eccentricity of the auxiliary valve chamber 13 results in a larger passage cross section for the main channel section 22 than in the case of a concentric arrangement of the auxiliary valve chamber 13 and the valve housing 4. Furthermore, the material expenditure for the valve housing 4 is less in comparison to a concentric arrangement.

Then the difference between the outer diameter of the auxiliary valve chamber 13 and the inner diameter of the valve housing 6 at the level of the auxiliary valve chamber is smaller than the diameter of the ball 14, so that the ball is simply thrown into the valve housing 4 from above into the valve housing 4 and despite the Eccentricity of auxiliary valve chamber 13 easily, without special guidance, can be pressed into the auxiliary valve chamber 13, for. B. by means of a stamp.

In the normal vertical position of the aerosol can or the valve arrangement shown, the ball 14 blocks the secondary duct against the gas pressure due to its weight, so that the gas cannot escape. On the other hand, it releases the main channel 21 at the mouth 27, so that the liquid contained in the can can escape under the gas pressure via the main channel, provided the main valve has been opened by depressing the head 9, as shown.

If, on the other hand, the can is in the upside-down position when opening the main valve 9, i. H. is held with the head 9 down, so that the secondary channel 17 is immersed in the liquid, the inlet opening of the dip tube 8 is above the liquid level in the can, then the ball 14 rolls against the valve seat 16, so that in this Position only the liquid can escape through the secondary channel 17, the auxiliary valve chamber 13 and the grooves 28, 29, but not the compressed gas.

In the exemplary embodiment of the spray arrangement according to the invention shown in FIG. 2 and all subsequent ones, the main valve actuating head 9 shown in FIG. 1 has been omitted in order to simplify the illustration. As far as the parts correspond to those of FIG. 1, they are assigned the same reference numbers.

The exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2 differs from that according to FIG. Essentially in that the auxiliary valve acts only in one direction and a wider straight passage 34 is left free from the auxiliary valve chamber 13 to the main valve housing space 33.

The inner diameter of the passage 34 at the upper opening edge of the auxiliary valve chamber 13, inwardly projecting annular bead 35 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the valve ball 14, so that the annular bead acts as a lock, which prevents the ball 14 from under the pressure of the over Auxiliary duct 17 exits fluid that presses the ball out of auxiliary valve chamber 13.

In the illustrated normal position of the spray valve arrangement according to FIG. 4, the liquid contained in the can flows under the pressure of the gas above it via the immersion pipe through the main channel 21 when the main valve 2, 3 is opened, while the valve ball 14 by its own weight Auxiliary valve keeps locked so that the compressed gas can not escape through the secondary channel 17. In the upside-down position of the can, however, the liquid can escape through the secondary duct 17 when the main valve is open, since the ball 14 is now lifted off the valve seat 15. The liquid pressed into the auxiliary valve chamber 13 via the secondary channel 17 exits through side slots 36 in the wall of the auxiliary valve chamber 13 into the main valve housing part 33. 2 in the upside-down position of the can, the compressed gas can also partially escape via the main channel 21, but this embodiment is easier to manufacture and assemble because of the lack of a housing insert 11.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3, on the other hand, the installation of a second auxiliary valve with a second ball 37 in the main channel section 22 also prevents the compressed gas from escaping from the can via the main channel 21 in the upside-down position of the can. In order to allow the liquid to exit in the normal position shown, the nipple 7 is provided at the lower end with slots 38 extending downwards, the wall sections of the second auxiliary valve chamber 39 delimiting the slots 38 at the lower opening edge projecting projections 40 as a barrier have for the outlet of the valve ball 37. The dip tube 8 pushed over the nipple 7 blocks the shields 38 from the outside.

In a modification of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2, the wall of the auxiliary valve chamber 13 is not provided with radial slots 36, but with axial ribs 41 which delimit grooves 42 between them axially up to the upper opening edge of the auxiliary valve chamber 13. Both auxiliary valve chambers 13 and 39 are arranged diametrically opposite one another, just like the only auxiliary valve chamber 13 of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2, eccentrically. The slot 19 is completely eliminated because of the eccentric design of the nipple. The auxiliary valve chambers are then axially offset, overlapping in the radial direction.

The exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4 differs from that according to FIG. 3 only as follows: the lower valve housing part 6 and thus the nipple 7 has a larger diameter than in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3, so that the immersion tube 8 is inserted into the nipple 7 can, and the second auxiliary valve chamber is partially surrounded by the valve housing part 6.

The embodiment according to FIG. 5 differs from that according to FIG. 2 in that, instead of the lock 35, an insert 11 is provided with a through groove 29 which delimits the main channel and which blocks the auxiliary valve chamber 13 under the pressure of the spring 10. The secondary duct 17 opens into the auxiliary valve chamber 13 above the valve ball 14. The housing insert simultaneously ensures that the auxiliary valve chamber 13 is sealed in the normal position shown, in which the compressed gas penetrates into the auxiliary valve chamber 13 via the secondary duct 17 and the ball 14 in addition to it Dead weight presses against the valve seat 15. At the same time, the housing insert 11 ensures that the ball 14 maintains its installation position during assembly.

The embodiment according to FIG. 6 differs from that according to FIG. 5 by the use of a second auxiliary valve 16, 37, which is designed in a similar manner to the second auxiliary valve according to FIG. 4. In this respect it therefore has the same function as the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4

The embodiment of FIG. 7 differs from that of FIG. 6 in principle only in that a second housing insert 47 forms an inner valve housing part which partly delimits the first valve chamber 13 and the second valve chamber 39 and the main channel 22. This simplifies the manufacture of the valve housing 4 from plastic and facilitates the insertion of the second ball 37 from above, i. H. the insertion in the same direction as that of the first ball 14, so that the valve housing 4 need not be turned during assembly. The lower lock 40 corresponds here to a middle holding piece 48, which is connected to the wall of the nipple 7 by radial webs 49. The slots 38 are formed by spaces between axial ribs.

Fig. 8 shows a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 5, in which an axial groove 45 is formed in the outside of the valve housing 4, which forms an initial section of the secondary channel 17 and begins on the inside of the upper part of the can.

The groove 45 is covered up to the vicinity of the upper part 1 of the can by the dip tube 8, so that an inlet opening 46 remains free. In this embodiment, if the can is held upside down, practically all of the liquid from the can can be dispensed via the secondary channel 17 without any significant residue remaining in the can, since the inlet opening 46 is in the upside down position of the can is practically at the lowest point. Another advantage of this embodiment over that of FIG. 5 is that the nipple 7 can be omitted.

2, 5 and 8 if very high spray quantities have to be applied per unit of time without loss of compressed gas when the container is kept overhead, then the use of the arrangements already described according to FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 6 is recommended. 7. However, if one can achieve sufficient effects even with a low spray rate, it is possible to dispense with these more complex arrangements. Even with the designs according to FIG. 2, 5 and 8 can be sprayed without loss of compressed gas if the container is kept overhead, if in the flow area of the auxiliary valve the narrowest part of the channels 17, 20, 36 (FIG. 2) or 45, 17, 17a (FIGS. 5, 8) with a larger cross section is provided than the narrowest part of the main channel region 22a (FIG. 2) or 22a, 22, 29 (FIGS. 5, 8) adjoining in the flow direction.

• Durchmesser D der Kugel 14, 37: 3-4,5 mm, vorzugsweise 3,5 mm ;
• Innendurchmesser der äußeren Gehäuseteile 5, 6 : 6-9 mm, vorzugsweise 6,9 mm bei D = 3,5 mm ;
• Mindestweite des Hauptkanals 21 : 1,5 mm ;
• Innendurchmesser der Hilfsventilkammer 13, 39 : 3,75 mm bei D = 3,5 mm ;
• Stärke der nicht mit dem äußeren Gehäuseteil 6 zusammenfallenden Wand der Hilfsventilkammern 13, 39 : 0,7-0,8 mm bei D = 3,5 mm ;
• Radiale Tiefe der Nuten 23, 24, 29 in Fig. 1 : 0,8 mm bei D = 3,5 mm.

The following dimensions are preferred in the illustrated embodiment:

• Diameter D of the ball 14, 37: 3-4.5 mm, preferably 3.5 mm;
• Inner diameter of the outer housing parts 5, 6: 6-9 mm, preferably 6.9 mm at D = 3.5 mm;
• Minimum width of the main duct 21: 1.5 mm;
• Inner diameter of the auxiliary valve chamber 13, 39: 3.75 mm at D = 3.5 mm;
• Thickness of the wall of the auxiliary valve chambers 13, 39 not coinciding with the outer housing part 6: 0.7-0.8 mm at D = 3.5 mm;
• Radial depth of the grooves 23, 24, 29 in Fig. 1: 0.8 mm at D = 3.5 mm.

Modifications of the illustrated embodiments are within the scope of the invention. Thus, the walls of the auxiliary valve chambers according to FIGS. 3 and 4 can be designed in the same way as those of the auxiliary valve chamber 13 according to FIG. 2, and vice versa. Furthermore, the walls of the auxiliary valve chamber 13 according to FIGS. 2 to 4, like the wall of the auxiliary valve chamber 39 according to FIG. 3, can be formed with slots 38, in reverse.

Claims (18)

1. A spray valve arrangement for an aerosol can, comprising a one-piece valve housing (4) comprising plastics material, which can be fixedly fitted sealingly with an upper end in the upper portion (1) of the can, which definies a main duct (21) for the content of the can to pass therethrough, and which has a main valve with a valve stem (2) in the main duct (21), manually actuable against the force of a spring (10), a syphon tube (8) which extends the main duct, a secondary duct (17), connecting to nozzle chamber to the main duct, above the maximum level of filling of the can, and a valve seat (15) of an auxiliary valve, which is formed at the junction between the main duct and the secondary duct, with a valve ball (14) comprising metal, in a cylindrical auxiliary valve chamber (13) surrounded by an outer cylindrical valve housing portion (16) which is within the cross-section of the upper end of the valve housing, wherein the auxiliary valve seat (15) is below the valve ball (14) so that in the normal position of the can the valve ball does not obstruct the main duct (21) and blocks the secondary duct (17) whereas in the inverted position of the can the valve ball opens the secondary duct, and wherein the main duct is taken laterally past the auxiliary valve, characterised in that the auxiliary valve (14, 15), in the outer valve housing portion (6) which surrounds the auxiliary valve chamber (13), has an eccentricity which is approximately equal to the difference between the inside radii of the outer valve housing portion (6) and the auxiliary valve chamber (13), and that the difference between the outside diameter of the auxiliary valve chamber (13) and the inside diameter of the outer valve housing portion (6) is smaller than the diameter of the valve ball (14) of the auxiliary valve.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1 characterised in that the inlet opening (18) of the secondary duct (17) into the auxiliary valve chamber (13) is below the valve ball (14).

3. An arrangement according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that the valve housing (4) has a transversely extending slot (19) and an axial bore (20), which form the secondary duct (17).

4. An arrangement according to claim 1 characterised in that the oulet opening (17a) of the secondary duct (17) from the lowest part of the auxiliary valve seat (15) opens into the housing chamber (21a), which is below the valve ball (14), of the main duct.

5. An arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the valve ball is retained in the auxiliary valve chamber by a blocking means which is disposed above the valve ball, characterised in that the blocking means (35) liberates an assembly passage (34) for the valve ball (14) to pass therethrough from the main valve housing chamber (33) to the auxiliary valve chamber (13).

6. An arrangement according to claim 5 characterised in that the passage (34) is parallel to the axis and the blocking means (35) is formed by at least one flexible projection (35) which projects radially inwardly at the passage (34).

7. An arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4 with a housing insert which delimits the auxiliary valve chamber, characterised in that the insert (11) at the same time has control or regulating openings (28/29) for the path of the flow outside the auxiliary valve chamber.

8. An arrangement according to claim 7 characterised in that at its inside wall the valve housing (4) has a projection (31) behind which the housing insert can be latched.

9. An arrangement according to claim 7 or claim 8 characterised in that the spring (10) bears againts the housing insert (11).

10. An arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 9 characterised in that the cross-section of the narrowest part of the secondary duct is larger than that of the narrowest part of that portion of the main duct which within the valve housing adjoints the secondary duct in the direction of flow.

11. An arrangement according to one of claims 7 to 9 characterised in that the housing insert (11) has a second auxiliary valve seat (16) above the ball (14) and surrounds a mouth opening (27) of the main duct (21) into the auxiliary valve chamber (13).

12. An arrangement according to claim 11 characterised in that the mouth opening (18) of the secondary duct (17) in the first auxiliary valve seat (15) and the mouth opening (27) of the main duct (21) in the second auxiliary valve seat (16) are coaxial with each other.

13. An arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 9 characterised in that below the junction between the main and secondary ducts (21, 17), the main duct (21) has a second eccentric auxiliary valve (16, 17) with a second valve ball (37) of metal and a second auxiliary valve seat (16) above the second ball (37).

14. An arrangement according to claim 13 characterised in that the auxiliary valves are axially displaced and radially overlap each other.

15. An arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 14 characterised in that the ratio of the inside diameter of the outer valve housing portion (6) to the diameter of the first valve ball (14) is in the range from about 1.5 to 2, preferably 1.75.

16. An arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 15 characterised in that the inlet opening (46) of the secondary duct (17) is in the direct vicinity of the upper portion (1) of the can.

17. An arrangement according to claim 16 characterised in that an initial portion of the secondary duct (17) is formed by a groove which is provided in the outside of the valve housing (4) and which begins at the inside of the upper portion (1) of the can and which is covered, to a position in the vicinity of the upper portion (1) of the can, by a siphon tube (8) which is pushed over the valve housing (4).

18. An arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 17 characterised in that the auxiliary valve chamber or chambers (13, 39) is or are partially delimited by two housing inserts (11, 47).

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