EP0350376A1 - Metering valve for aerosols - Google Patents

Metering valve for aerosols Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0350376A1
EP0350376A1 EP89401876A EP89401876A EP0350376A1 EP 0350376 A1 EP0350376 A1 EP 0350376A1 EP 89401876 A EP89401876 A EP 89401876A EP 89401876 A EP89401876 A EP 89401876A EP 0350376 A1 EP0350376 A1 EP 0350376A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
valve
chamber
seal
metering
rod
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP89401876A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0350376B1 (en
Inventor
Michel Brunet
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Aptar France SAS
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Valois SAS
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
    • B65D83/44—Valves specially adapted therefor; Regulating devices
    • B65D83/52—Valves specially adapted therefor; Regulating devices for metering
    • B65D83/54—Metering valves ; Metering valve assemblies

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device of the valve type for dispensing small doses of fluid, in particular of fluids containing solid particles in suspension and in which fluid is dissolved a propellant.
  • the invention more particularly relates to such a device which allows precise doses to be emitted, and the concentration of particles in suspension of which is constant.
  • a metering valve for aerosols Such a valve intended to be mounted in the neck of a container comprises a valve body in which is formed a metering chamber delimited by a cylindrical wall, with a washer-shaped seal at each end: a chamber seal towards the inside the container and a valve seal on the outlet side.
  • the chamber is traversed by a valve stem formed with a constriction in the region which passes through the chamber seal.
  • This rod ends at its inner end with a plug, for example in the form of a cone widening inwards.
  • a return spring keeps the cone engaged in the chamber seal when the valve is in the inactive or rest position, to close the passage and isolate the interior of the metering chamber.
  • the rod Inside the metering chamber, the rod carries a shutter which can, when the rod is lowered against the return spring, engage in the chamber seal to close it: in the rest position, the orifice the chamber seal is closed by the end cap or cone of the valve stem; when the rod is lowered towards the interior of the container, the orifice of the chamber seal is first cleared, by moving away from the cone, the passage is then established through the chamber seal, thanks to the constriction formed on the rod valve; then, when the downward movement of the rod continues, the shutter comes to close the orifice of the chamber seal, which is therefore closed, at rest, and in the low position of the valve rod.
  • a shutter which can, when the rod is lowered against the return spring, engage in the chamber seal to close it: in the rest position, the orifice the chamber seal is closed by the end cap or cone of the valve stem; when the rod is lowered towards the interior of the container, the orifice of the chamber seal is first cleared, by moving away from the cone, the passage is then established through the chamber
  • valve stem extends outside the valve chamber, upwards and outside the bottle, and this extension comprises, in a well-known manner, a central blind outlet channel communicating with the outside by a radial passage of exit.
  • This passage is located in a place such that in the rest position of the valve stem, the passage opens out of the chamber, and in the depressed position of the valve stem, the passage opens out inside the chamber.
  • the present invention aims to improve the filling of the metering chamber. This filling occurs partly during the descent of the pusher during actuation, just before the expulsion of the dose, and partly during the ascent of the pusher, just after the expulsion of the dose.
  • the subject of the present invention is a metering valve intended to be mounted in the neck of an aerosol container, for dispensing doses of a fluid in which a propellant gas is dissolved, of the type comprising a cylindrical metering chamber limited to one end inside by a washer-shaped chamber seal and at the other outer end by a washer-shaped valve seal, the chamber being traversed by a valve stem extending from the outside of the container to the inside, the rod being formed with a constriction which can pass through the chamber seal leaving a passage between the constriction and the inner edge of said chamber seal, said rod being biased towards the outside by a return spring and comprising a plug formed by an extra thickness at its inner end, outside the metering chamber, so that in the idle state, this plug is kept applied by the return spring to o close the opening of the chamber seal, said valve being characterized in that the rod comprises, inside the metering chamber, a shutter formed by an additional thickness, which, in a downward movement, can close the opening of the chamber seal when the rod is
  • the stroke h of the valve stem is greater than 4 mm, preferably of the order of 6 mm.
  • valve shown by way of example in the figures comprises a valve body 1 in which the various parts of the valve are arranged, held in position in the valve body by a capsule 2, which also serves to crimp the assembly onto the neck of a container, not shown.
  • a metering chamber 3 having a cylindrical wall, and limited at its ends, towards the inside of the container, by a chamber seal 4, and towards the outside by a valve seal 5.
  • the seals are held in position, spaced from each other, by a sleeve 6, the thickness of which is chosen to precisely define the volume of the metering chamber.
  • a valve stem 7 passes through the metering chamber, and extends outwardly out of the valve body and the container on which it is mounted. This rod is used to actuate the valve. It is biased towards an inactive or resting position by a spring reminder 8. One acts on the rod by means of a push button 9, engaged tightly on the latter.
  • the push button includes appropriate expulsion means 10 for projecting a dose of fluid (channels, passages, nozzle, etc.).
  • the valve stem 7 is formed with a central blind outlet channel 11, opening at the outer end of the stem, and closed in the other direction. This channel also communicates with the outside via a radial outlet passage 12. This passage is situated at a height on the rod such that in the rest position shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b it opens out to the outside of the body. valve, that is to say above the capsule 2, and when the rod is pushed in as far as possible (fig. 4), it opens inside the metering chamber 3.
  • the present invention relates to improvements which allow on the one hand a good filling of the chamber 3, to always have a full dose, that is to say precise, and on the other hand without settling or sedimentation.
  • the invention can be applied equally to valves which can be used in an inverted position, as in FIG. 1a, or which can be used in an upright position, as in FIG. 1b.
  • the bottom of the valve body 1 has a fairly large opening 1a.
  • additional passages 19 can be provided to facilitate the arrival of the fluid in the metering chamber when the valve is in the inverted position.
  • a dip tube 20 is adapted, in the known manner (FIG. 1b).
  • a chamber seal 4 is chosen with a large diameter opening, and a rod with a constriction 16 of great length. This last characteristic lengthens the depression stroke of the valve, and consequently the duration of the time during which the opening 17 of the chamber seal 4 is released.
  • the radial outlet passage 22 is located at a certain distance h above the capsule (see FIG. 1).
  • valve seal 5 generally has a thickness of one millimeter, and that the thickness of the capsule is approximately 0.4 millimeters, and a height h of approximately 2 mm if the stroke is 4 mm. This last length is a minimum; 6 mm are preferable.
  • this arrangement may be of interest in certain applications, on the other hand, according to the present invention, it is sought to obtain the seal in the rest state, at the level of the chamber seal, so that it remains sealed when the container with its valve is not used.
  • This arrangement avoids the sedimentation of the product if it is not homogeneous, in particular if it contains solid particles in suspension, application provided by the present invention.
  • the volume of product contained in the chamber keeps its proportions of constituents. The filling of the chamber, after the expulsion of a dose, occurs a little later, after the container has been shaken during the operating manipulation of the expulsion of a dose.
  • the part of the valve stem forming the obturator has an additional thickness inside the metering chamber, and in the rest state, as can be seen in FIG. 1, the extra thickness 18 is not in contact with the valve seal 5. There is no blockage of the rod 7 against this seal 5 under the effect of the return spring 8. The force of the return spring, at the state of rest is applied to the chamber seal 4 by the cone 13 of the valve stem, and it is at this seal 4 that the metering chamber 3 is sealed.
  • the obturator has a sufficiently large thickness, to allow the obturation of the opening of the chamber seal without requiring great precision of the stroke of the valve stem, nor of the stopping point. of the end of this race.
  • the thickness of the shutter 18 must be at least twice the thickness of the chamber seal 4.
  • the periphery of the latter may include grooves 13a.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)

Abstract

In the position of rest the metering chamber (3) is isolated by closure of the aperture of the chamber seal (4) by an overthickness (13) of the valve stem (7). This aperture is large, and in order for it to be stopped by insertion of the stem (7), the latter carries, within the said metering chamber (3), a stop (18) which, in the position of rest, does not come to bear against the valve seal (5). <IMAGE>

Description

La presente invention a pour objet un dispositif du genre valve pour distributeur de petites doses de fluide, en particulier de fluides contenant des particules solides en suspension et dans lequel fluide est dissout un gaz propulseur. L'invention a plus particulièrement pour objet un tel dispositif qui permette d'emettre des doses précises, et dont la concentration en particules en suspension est constante. On connait déjà, par exemple par le brevet français n° 1 287 373 du 22 novembre 1960 à M. Lucien GUILLOU, une valve doseuse pour aérosols. Une telle valve prévue pour être montée dans le col d'un récipient comprend un corps de valve dans lequel est formée une chambre de dosage délimitée par une paroi cylindrique, avec un joint en forme de rondelle à chaque extrémité : un joint de chambre vers l'intérieur du récipient et un joint de soupape du côté de la sortie. La chambre est traversée par une tige de soupape formée avec un rétreint dans la région qui passe à travers le joint de chambre. Cette tige se termine à son extrémité intérieure par un bouchon, par exemple en forme de cône s'élargissant vers l'intérieur. Un ressort de rappel maintient quand la valve est en position inactive ou de repos, le cône engagé dans le joint de chambre, pour obturer le passage et isoler l'intérieur de la chambre de dosage. A l'intérieur de la chambre de dosage, la tige porte un obturateur qui peut, quand la tige est descendue contre le ressort de rappel, s'engager dans le joint de chambre pour l'obturer : en position de repos, l'orifice du joint de chambre est obturé par le bouchon ou cône d'extrémité de la tige de valve ; quand on fait descendre la tige vers l'intérieur du récipient, l'orifice du joint de chambre est d'abord dégagé, par éloignement du cône, le passage est alors établi à travers le joint de chambre, grace au rétreint formé sur la tige de soupape ; puis, quand le mouvement de descente de la tige se poursuit, l'obturateur vient fermer l'orifice du joint de chambre, qui est donc obturé, au repos, et en position basse de la tige de soupape.The present invention relates to a device of the valve type for dispensing small doses of fluid, in particular of fluids containing solid particles in suspension and in which fluid is dissolved a propellant. The invention more particularly relates to such a device which allows precise doses to be emitted, and the concentration of particles in suspension of which is constant. We already know, for example from French Patent No. 1,287,373 of November 22, 1960 to Mr. Lucien GUILLOU, a metering valve for aerosols. Such a valve intended to be mounted in the neck of a container comprises a valve body in which is formed a metering chamber delimited by a cylindrical wall, with a washer-shaped seal at each end: a chamber seal towards the inside the container and a valve seal on the outlet side. The chamber is traversed by a valve stem formed with a constriction in the region which passes through the chamber seal. This rod ends at its inner end with a plug, for example in the form of a cone widening inwards. A return spring keeps the cone engaged in the chamber seal when the valve is in the inactive or rest position, to close the passage and isolate the interior of the metering chamber. Inside the metering chamber, the rod carries a shutter which can, when the rod is lowered against the return spring, engage in the chamber seal to close it: in the rest position, the orifice the chamber seal is closed by the end cap or cone of the valve stem; when the rod is lowered towards the interior of the container, the orifice of the chamber seal is first cleared, by moving away from the cone, the passage is then established through the chamber seal, thanks to the constriction formed on the rod valve; then, when the downward movement of the rod continues, the shutter comes to close the orifice of the chamber seal, which is therefore closed, at rest, and in the low position of the valve rod.

La tige de valve se prolonge à l'extérieur de la chambre de valve, vers le haut et l'extérieur du flacon, et ce prolongement comporte de façon bien connue un canal central de sortie borgne communicant avec l'extérieur par un passage radial de sortie. Ce passage est situé à un endroit tel, qu'en position de repos de la tige de soupape, le passage débouche à l'extérieur de la chambre, et en position enfoncée de la tige de soupape, le passage débouche à l'intérieur de la chambre.The valve stem extends outside the valve chamber, upwards and outside the bottle, and this extension comprises, in a well-known manner, a central blind outlet channel communicating with the outside by a radial passage of exit. This passage is located in a place such that in the rest position of the valve stem, the passage opens out of the chamber, and in the depressed position of the valve stem, the passage opens out inside the chamber.

Le fonctionnement d'une telle valve est bien connu. Afin de favoriser le remplissage de la chambre de dosage, et ceci quelque soit l'état du joint de chambre, il est prévu conformément au brevet français cité ci-dessus que le retreint a une section dont la forme est éloignée du cercle, de façon à ce que le joint circulaire en caoutchouc ne puisse, même en cas de gonflement, arriver à obturer complètement le passage existant normalement entre la soupape et le joint. La longueur de la course, faisant passer l'extrémité du passage radial de sortie de l'extérieur à l'intérieur de la chambre de dosage est en général choisie la plus courte possible, comme dans tous les dispositifs de valve pour aérosols.The operation of such a valve is well known. In order to favor the filling of the metering chamber, and this whatever the state of the chamber seal, it is provided in accordance with the French patent cited above that the constriction has a section whose shape is distant from the circle, so that the circular rubber seal cannot, even in the event of swelling, completely block the passage normally existing between the valve and the seal. The length of the stroke, passing the end of the radial outlet passage from the outside to the inside of the metering chamber is generally chosen to be as short as possible, as in all valve devices for aerosols.

La présente invention a pour but d'améliorer le remplissage de la chambre de dosage. Ce remplissage se produit en partie pendant la descente du poussoir lors de l'actionnement, juste avant l'expulsion de la dose, et en partie lors de la remontée du poussoir, juste après l'expulsion de la dose.The present invention aims to improve the filling of the metering chamber. This filling occurs partly during the descent of the pusher during actuation, just before the expulsion of the dose, and partly during the ascent of the pusher, just after the expulsion of the dose.

La présente invention a pour objet une valve doseuse destinée à être montée dans le col d'un récipient aérosol, pour distribuer des doses d'un fluide dans lequel est dissout un gaz propulseur, du type comprenant une chambre de dosage cylindrique limitée à une extrémité intérieure par un joint de chambre en forme de rondelle et à l'autre extrémité extérieure par un joint de soupape en forme de rondelle, la chambre étant traversée par une tige de soupape s'étendant depuis l'extérieur du récipient jusqu'à l'intérieur, la tige étant formée avec un rétreint pouvant traverser le joint de chambre en laissant un passage entre le retreint et le bord intérieur dudit joint de chambre, ladite tige étant sollicitée vers l'extérieur par un ressort de rappel et comportant un bouchon formé par une surépaisseur à son extrémité intérieure, hors de la chambre de dosage, de façon qu'à l'état de repos, ce bouchon soit maintenu appliqué par le ressort de rappel pour obturer l'ouverture du joint de chambre, ladite valve étant caractérisée en ce que la tige comporte, à l'intérieur de la chambre de dosage un obturateur formé par une surépaisseur, qui, dans un mouvement de descente, peut venir obturer l'ouverture du joint de chambre quand on fait descendre la tige de soupape, cet obturateur n'étant pas en contact sur le joint de soupape, à l'état de repos, de sorte que la tige de soupape ne transmet aucun effort au joint de soupape, le rétreint étant placé entre ladite surépaisseur et ledit obturateur, de façon qu'au repos, une dose reste enfermée dans la chambre de dosage, pour maintenir constante la proportion de cette dose en empêchant la sédimentation du fluide hors de la chambre.The subject of the present invention is a metering valve intended to be mounted in the neck of an aerosol container, for dispensing doses of a fluid in which a propellant gas is dissolved, of the type comprising a cylindrical metering chamber limited to one end inside by a washer-shaped chamber seal and at the other outer end by a washer-shaped valve seal, the chamber being traversed by a valve stem extending from the outside of the container to the inside, the rod being formed with a constriction which can pass through the chamber seal leaving a passage between the constriction and the inner edge of said chamber seal, said rod being biased towards the outside by a return spring and comprising a plug formed by an extra thickness at its inner end, outside the metering chamber, so that in the idle state, this plug is kept applied by the return spring to o close the opening of the chamber seal, said valve being characterized in that the rod comprises, inside the metering chamber, a shutter formed by an additional thickness, which, in a downward movement, can close the opening of the chamber seal when the rod is lowered valve, this valve not being in contact on the valve seal, in the rest state, so that the valve stem does not transmit any force to the valve seal, the constriction being placed between said excess thickness and said valve , so that at rest, a dose remains enclosed in the dosing chamber, to maintain constant the proportion of this dose by preventing the sedimentation of the fluid outside the chamber.

Avantageusement, la course h de la tige de soupape est supérieure à 4 mm, de préférence de l'ordre de 6 mm.Advantageously, the stroke h of the valve stem is greater than 4 mm, preferably of the order of 6 mm.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront au cours de la description suivante, donnée à titre d'exemple non limitatif, en regard des dessins ci-joints, et qui fera bien comprendre comment l'invention peut être réalisée.Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, and which will make it clear how the invention can be implemented.

Sur les dessins,

  • la figure 1a est une vue en couple axiale d'une forme de réalisation d'une valve doseuse selon l'invention, représentée en position de repos.
  • La figure 1b est une vue analogue à la figure 1a, pour une variante de réalisation.
  • Les figures 2, 3 et 4 sont des vues en coupe axiale de la valve de la figure 1a, représentée dans différentes position au cours du mouvement de fonctionnement.
In the drawings,
  • Figure 1a is an axial torque view of an embodiment of a metering valve according to the invention, shown in the rest position.
  • Figure 1b is a view similar to Figure 1a, for an alternative embodiment.
  • Figures 2, 3 and 4 are views in axial section of the valve of Figure 1a, shown in different positions during the operating movement.

La valve représentée à titre d'exemple sur les figures comporte un corps de valve 1 dans lequel sont disposées les différentes parties de la valve, maintenues en position dans le corps de valve par une capsule 2, qui sert également à sertir l'ensemble sur le col d'un récipient, non représenté.The valve shown by way of example in the figures comprises a valve body 1 in which the various parts of the valve are arranged, held in position in the valve body by a capsule 2, which also serves to crimp the assembly onto the neck of a container, not shown.

Dans le corps de valve est formée une chambre de dosage 3 ayant une paroi cylindrique, et limitée à ses extrémités, vers l'intérieur du récipient, par un joint de chambre 4, et vers l'extérieur par un joint de soupape 5. Les joints sont maintenus en position, écartés l'un de l'autre, par une douille 6, dont l'épaisseur est choisie pour définir avec précision le volume de la chambre de dosage.In the valve body is formed a metering chamber 3 having a cylindrical wall, and limited at its ends, towards the inside of the container, by a chamber seal 4, and towards the outside by a valve seal 5. The seals are held in position, spaced from each other, by a sleeve 6, the thickness of which is chosen to precisely define the volume of the metering chamber.

Une tige de soupape 7 traverse la chambre de dosage, et s'étend, vers l'extérieur, hors du corps de valve et du récipient sur lequel il est monté. Cette tige sert à l'actionnement de la valve. Elle est sollicitée vers une position inactive, ou de repos, par un ressort de rappel 8. On agit sur la tige au moyen d'un bouton-poussoir 9, engagé serré sur celle-ci. Le bouton-poussoir comporte des moyens d'expulsion appropriés 10 pour projeter une dose de fluide (cannaux, passages, gicleur etc).A valve stem 7 passes through the metering chamber, and extends outwardly out of the valve body and the container on which it is mounted. This rod is used to actuate the valve. It is biased towards an inactive or resting position by a spring reminder 8. One acts on the rod by means of a push button 9, engaged tightly on the latter. The push button includes appropriate expulsion means 10 for projecting a dose of fluid (channels, passages, nozzle, etc.).

La tige de soupape 7 est formée avec un canal central de sortie borgne 11, s'ouvrant à l'extrémité extérieure de la tige, et fermé dans l'autre direction. Ce canal communique en outre avec l'extérieur par un passage radial de sortie 12. Ce passage est situé à une hauteur sur la tige telle que dans la position de repos représentée sur les figures 1a et 1b il débouche à l'extérieur du corps de valve, c'est-à-dire au-dessus de la capsule 2, et quand la tige est enfoncée au maximum, (fig. 4), il débouche à l'intérieur de la chambre de dosage 3.The valve stem 7 is formed with a central blind outlet channel 11, opening at the outer end of the stem, and closed in the other direction. This channel also communicates with the outside via a radial outlet passage 12. This passage is situated at a height on the rod such that in the rest position shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b it opens out to the outside of the body. valve, that is to say above the capsule 2, and when the rod is pushed in as far as possible (fig. 4), it opens inside the metering chamber 3.

Le fonctionnement d'une telle valve, est, dans son principe général, bien connu, comme la valve du brevet français cité au début. A partir de la position de repos, dans laquelle l'orifice central du joint de chambre 4 est obturé par le bouchon ou cône 13 de la tige de soupape, on enfonce la tige 7, au moyen du bouton 9. La tige est amenée d'abord dans la position de la figure 2, ou un passage 15 est dégagé autour de rétreint 16 de la tige, entre ce rétreint et la paroi intérieure 17 du joint de chambre 4. L'orifice du passage 12 n'est pas encore parvenu dans la chambre de dosage 3. Celle-ci peut donc se remplir, ou compléter son remplissage par le passage 15 autour du rétreint 16. Quand on continu à enfoncer la tige 7, elle parvient dans la position de la figure 3, dans laquelle l'obturateur 18 formé par une partie de la tige de plus grand diamètre que le rétreint 16 vient obturer le passage 15 de l'orifice du joint de chambre 4, cependant que le passage 12 ne débouche pas encore dans la chambre de dosage 3. La chambre est close. Enfin, quand on pousse le bouton 9 à fond, on parvient dans la position de la figure 4, dans laquelle le passage 15 du joint 4 est toujours fermé, cependant que le passage 12 débouche dans la chambre de dosage 3. Celle-ci peut alors se vider, par le passage 12, le canal axial 11, et les passages 10 du bouton poussoir. La fin de course peut être obtenue par tassement du ressort 8, ou par toute autre butée. Les dispositions prévues dans le brevet français mentionné ci-dessus, notamment pour la section du rétreint peuvent bien entendu être appliquées.The operation of such a valve is, in its general principle, well known, like the valve of the French patent cited at the start. From the rest position, in which the central orifice of the chamber seal 4 is closed by the plug or cone 13 of the valve stem, the stem 7 is pushed in, by means of the button 9. The stem is brought from 'first in the position of Figure 2, or a passage 15 is cleared around the neck 16 of the rod, between this neck and the inner wall 17 of the chamber seal 4. The opening of the passage 12 has not yet reached in the metering chamber 3. The latter can therefore be filled, or complete its filling by the passage 15 around the constriction 16. When one continues to push the rod 7, it reaches the position of FIG. 3, in which the shutter 18 formed by a portion of the rod of larger diameter than the constriction 16 closes the passage 15 of the orifice of the chamber seal 4, while the passage 12 does not yet open into the metering chamber 3. The room is closed. Finally, when the button 9 is fully pushed, one arrives in the position of FIG. 4, in which the passage 15 of the seal 4 is always closed, while the passage 12 opens into the metering chamber 3. The latter can then empty through the passage 12, the axial channel 11, and the passages 10 of the push button. The end of travel can be obtained by compression of the spring 8, or by any other stop. The provisions provided for in the French patent mentioned above, in particular for the necking section can of course be applied.

La presente invention a pour objet des perfectionnements qui permettent d'une part un bon remplissage de la chambre 3, pour avoir toujours une dose complète, c'est-à-dire précise, et d'autre part sans décantation, ni sédimentation.The present invention relates to improvements which allow on the one hand a good filling of the chamber 3, to always have a full dose, that is to say precise, and on the other hand without settling or sedimentation.

L'invention peut s'appliquer indifféremment aux valves utilisables en position inversée, comme sur la figure 1a, ou utilisables en position droite, comme sur la figure 1b. Dans le cas de la position inversée, le fond du corps de valve 1 présente une ouverture assez grande 1a. D'autre part, des passages supplémentaires 19 peuvent être prévus pour faciliter l'arrivée du fluide dans la chambre de dosage quand la valve est en position inversée. Dans le cas de valve utilisable en position droite, un tube plongeur 20 est adapté, de la façon connue (fig. 1b).The invention can be applied equally to valves which can be used in an inverted position, as in FIG. 1a, or which can be used in an upright position, as in FIG. 1b. In the case of the inverted position, the bottom of the valve body 1 has a fairly large opening 1a. On the other hand, additional passages 19 can be provided to facilitate the arrival of the fluid in the metering chamber when the valve is in the inverted position. In the case of a valve that can be used in an upright position, a dip tube 20 is adapted, in the known manner (FIG. 1b).

Afin d'obtenir les résultats recherchés par la présente invention, on choisit un joint de chambre 4 avec une ouverture de grand diamètre, et une tige avec un rétreint 16 de grande longueur. Cette dernière caractéristique allonge la course d'enfoncement de la soupape, et par suite la durée du temps pendant lequel l'ouverture 17 du joint de chambre 4 est dégagée. Il en résulte qu'à l'état de repos, le passage de sortie radial 22 se trouve à une certaine distance h au-dessus de la capsule (voir figure 1). Si l'on souhaite une course de 6 mm, ce qui paraît approprié pour obtenir un fonctionnement correct, avec un passage 12 de 0,7 mm de diamètre, on aura, à l'état de repos une distance h d'environ 4 mm, compte tenu que le joint de soupape 5 a généralement une épaisseur d'un millimètre, et que l'épaisseur de la capsule est environ 0,4 millimètres, et un hauteur h d'environ 2 mm si la course est de 4 mm. Cette dernière longueur est un minimum ; 6 mm sont préférables.In order to obtain the results sought by the present invention, a chamber seal 4 is chosen with a large diameter opening, and a rod with a constriction 16 of great length. This last characteristic lengthens the depression stroke of the valve, and consequently the duration of the time during which the opening 17 of the chamber seal 4 is released. As a result, in the idle state, the radial outlet passage 22 is located at a certain distance h above the capsule (see FIG. 1). If a stroke of 6 mm is desired, which seems suitable for correct operation, with a passage 12 of 0.7 mm in diameter, there will be, in the idle state, a distance h of approximately 4 mm , taking into account that the valve seal 5 generally has a thickness of one millimeter, and that the thickness of the capsule is approximately 0.4 millimeters, and a height h of approximately 2 mm if the stroke is 4 mm. This last length is a minimum; 6 mm are preferable.

Le choix d'un grand diamètre pour l'ouverture 17 du joint 4 a pour conséquence que la partie élargie, ou obturateur 18, qui surplombe immédiatement le rétreint 16 doit avoir un diamètre assez important. Si l'on se reporte à la structure décrite dans le brevet français 1 287 373 cité ci-dessus, ce diamètre est trop important pour réaliser une tige de commande de soupape, tant pour des raisons de fabrication que de fonctionnement. On est donc conduit à prévoir un élargissement de la tige de soupape, à l'intérieur de la chambre de dosage. De tels dispositifs sont bien connus, par exemple par le brevet français 1 492 188 de M. Meshberg, du 20 juin 1966. Cependant, dans les dispositifs de ce genre, l'élargissement est maintenu, à l'état de repos, appliqué par le ressort de rappel, contre le joint de soupape, et il n'y a pas d'étanchéité, au niveau du joint de chambre, quand la valve est à l'état de repos. Si cette disposition peut présenter de l'intérêt dans certaines applications, par contre, selon la présente invention, on cherche à obtenir l'étanchéité à l'état de repos, au niveau du joint de chambre, de façon à ce que celle-­ci reste obturée de façon étanche quand le récipient avec sa valve n'est pas utilisé. Cette disposition évite la sédimentation du produit s'il n'est pas homogène, en particulier s'il contient des particules solides en suspension, application prévue par la présente invention. Le volume de produit renfermé dans la chambre garde ses proportions de constituants. Le remplissage de la chambre, après l'expulsion d'une dose, se produit un peu plus tard, après que le récipient ait été agité au cours de la manipulation de fonctionnement de l'expulsion d'une dose.The choice of a large diameter for the opening 17 of the joint 4 has the consequence that the enlarged part, or shutter 18, which immediately overhangs the constriction 16 must have a fairly large diameter. If we refer to the structure described in the French patent 1 287 373 cited above, this diameter is too large to produce a valve control rod, both for manufacturing and operating reasons. We are therefore led to provide a widening of the valve stem, inside the metering chamber. Such devices are well known, for example by French patent 1,492 188 of M. Meshberg, of June 20, 1966. However, in the devices of this kind, the widening is maintained, in the state of rest, applied by the return spring, against the valve seal, and it does not there is no seal at the chamber seal when the valve is in the rest state. If this arrangement may be of interest in certain applications, on the other hand, according to the present invention, it is sought to obtain the seal in the rest state, at the level of the chamber seal, so that it remains sealed when the container with its valve is not used. This arrangement avoids the sedimentation of the product if it is not homogeneous, in particular if it contains solid particles in suspension, application provided by the present invention. The volume of product contained in the chamber keeps its proportions of constituents. The filling of the chamber, after the expulsion of a dose, occurs a little later, after the container has been shaken during the operating manipulation of the expulsion of a dose.

Selon une caractéristique de la présente invention, la partie de la tige de soupape formant l'obturateur présente une surépaisseur à l'intérieur de la chambre de dosage, et à l'état de repos, comme on peut le voir sur la figure 1, la surépaisseur 18 n'est pas en contact avec le joint de soupape 5. Il n'y a pas blocage de la tige 7 contre ce joint 5 sous l'effet du ressort de rappel 8. L'effort du ressort de rappel, à l'état de repos, est appliqué au joint de chambre 4 par le cône 13 de la tige de soupape, et c'est au niveau de ce joint 4 qu'est assuré l'étanchéité de la chambre de dosage 3.According to a characteristic of the present invention, the part of the valve stem forming the obturator has an additional thickness inside the metering chamber, and in the rest state, as can be seen in FIG. 1, the extra thickness 18 is not in contact with the valve seal 5. There is no blockage of the rod 7 against this seal 5 under the effect of the return spring 8. The force of the return spring, at the state of rest is applied to the chamber seal 4 by the cone 13 of the valve stem, and it is at this seal 4 that the metering chamber 3 is sealed.

Selon une caractéristique de la présente invention, l'obturateur a une épaisseur assez grande, pour permettre l'obturation de l'ouverture du joint de chambre sans exiger une grande précision de la course de la tige de soupape, ni du point d'arrêt de la fin de cette course. L'épaisseur de l'obturateur 18 devra être au moins le double de l'épaisseur de joint de chambre 4.According to a characteristic of the present invention, the obturator has a sufficiently large thickness, to allow the obturation of the opening of the chamber seal without requiring great precision of the stroke of the valve stem, nor of the stopping point. of the end of this race. The thickness of the shutter 18 must be at least twice the thickness of the chamber seal 4.

Afin de faciliter le passage du liquide autour du bouchon 13, la périphérie de celui-ci peut comporter des rainures 13a.In order to facilitate the passage of the liquid around the plug 13, the periphery of the latter may include grooves 13a.

Claims (3)

1- Valve doseuse destinée à être montée dans le col d'un récipient aérosol, pour distribuer des doses d'un fluide dans lequel est dissout un gaz propulseur, du type comprenant une chambre de dosage cylindrique (3) limitée à une extrémité intérieure par un joint de chambre (4) en forme de rondelle et à l'autre extrémité extérieure par un joint de soupape (5) en forme de rondelle, la chambre étant traversée par une tige de soupape (7) s'étendant depuis l'extérieur du récipient jusqu'à l'intérieur, la tige étant formée avec un rétreint (16) pouvant traverser le joint de chambre (4) en laissant un passage (15) entre le rétreint et le bord intérieur (17) dudit joint de chambre, ladite tige étant sollicitée vers l'extérieur par un ressort de rappel (8), et comportant une surépaisseur (13) formant un bouchon à son extrémité intérieure, hors de la chambre de dosage, de façon qu'à l'état de repos, cette surépaisseur soit maintenue appliquée par le ressort de rappel (8) pour obturer l'ouverture du joint de chambre, ladite valve étant caractérisée en ce que la tige comporte, à l'intérieur de la chambre de dosage une surépaisseur formant un obturateur (18), qui, dans un mouvement de descente, peut venir obturer l'ouverture du joint de chambre quand on fait descendre la tige de soupape, cet obturateur n'étant pas en contact sur le joint de soupape (5), à l'état de repos, de sorte que la tige de soupape ne transmet aucun effort ou joint de soupape, le rétreint étant placé entre ladite surépaisseur (13) et ledit obturateur (18), de façon qu'au repos, une dose reste enfermée dans la chambre de dosage, pour maintenir constante la proportion de cette dose en empêchant la sédimentation du fluide hors de la chambre.1- Metering valve intended to be mounted in the neck of an aerosol container, for dispensing doses of a fluid in which a propellant gas is dissolved, of the type comprising a cylindrical metering chamber (3) limited to an inner end by a washer-shaped chamber seal (4) and at the other outer end by a washer-shaped valve seal (5), the chamber being traversed by a valve stem (7) extending from the outside from the container to the inside, the rod being formed with a neck (16) which can pass through the chamber seal (4) leaving a passage (15) between the neck and the inner edge (17) of said chamber seal, said rod being biased towards the outside by a return spring (8), and comprising an additional thickness (13) forming a plug at its inner end, outside the metering chamber, so that in the rest state, this extra thickness is kept applied by the spring return valve (8) for closing the opening of the chamber seal, said valve being characterized in that the rod comprises, inside the metering chamber, an additional thickness forming a shutter (18), which, in a movement of lowering, can close the opening of the chamber seal when the valve stem is lowered, this valve not being in contact on the valve seal (5), in the rest state, so that the stem of valve does not transmit any force or valve seal, the constriction being placed between said additional thickness (13) and said obturator (18), so that at rest, a dose remains enclosed in the dosing chamber, to maintain constant the proportion of this dose by preventing sedimentation of the fluid outside the chamber. 2- Valve doseuse selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la course h de la tige de soupape (7) est supérieure à 4 mm, de préférence voisine de 6 mm.2- Metering valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the stroke h of the valve stem (7) is greater than 4 mm, preferably close to 6 mm. 3- Valve doseuse selone une des revendications 1 ou 2, caractérisée en ce que l'obturateur 18 a une épaisseur égale ou supérieure au double de l'épaisseur du joint de chambre 4.3- metering valve according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the shutter 18 has a thickness equal to or greater than twice the thickness of the chamber seal 4.
EP19890401876 1988-07-04 1989-06-29 Metering valve for aerosols Expired - Lifetime EP0350376B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8809001A FR2634534B1 (en) 1988-07-04 1988-07-04 DOSER VALVE FOR AEROSOLS
FR8809001 1988-07-04

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EP0350376A1 true EP0350376A1 (en) 1990-01-10
EP0350376B1 EP0350376B1 (en) 1993-01-07

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EP (1) EP0350376B1 (en)
DE (1) DE68904252T2 (en)
FR (1) FR2634534B1 (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4413226A1 (en) * 1994-04-15 1995-10-19 Meckenstock Fritz Gmbh Closure for the dosed delivery of liquid
GB2311982A (en) * 1996-04-09 1997-10-15 Bespak Plc Metered aerosol valve
EP0803449A1 (en) * 1996-04-26 1997-10-29 Bespak plc Improvements in or relating to valve for dispensers
FR2776741A1 (en) 1998-03-30 1999-10-01 Valois Sa IMPROVED DOSER VALVE
FR2798367A1 (en) 1999-09-15 2001-03-16 Valois Sa VALVE SEAL FOR DOSING VALVE
US6644306B1 (en) 1998-03-19 2003-11-11 Smithkline Beecham Corporation Valve for aerosol container
FR2850165A1 (en) * 2003-01-16 2004-07-23 Valois Sas Valve dosing pharmaceutical liquid to inhaler under pressure of propellant gas, has filling passage connecting dosing chamber to liquid product entry point
FR2850166A1 (en) * 2003-01-16 2004-07-23 Valois Sas Valve dosing pharmaceutical liquid to inhaler under pressure of propellant gas, has smaller radial dimensions in upper part including dispensing opening
GB2562732A (en) * 2017-05-22 2018-11-28 Linde Ag Metering valve apparatus and method of metering a fluid

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19860969B4 (en) * 1997-09-03 2006-03-09 Glaxo Group Ltd., Greenford Metering valve for pressurized dispensing containers
FR2814726B1 (en) * 2000-09-29 2003-04-04 Oreal VALVE FOR FITTING A DEVICE FOR THE DISPENSING UNDER PRESSURE OF A PRODUCT, AND DEVICE THUS EQUIPPED
US6832704B2 (en) 2002-06-17 2004-12-21 Summit Packaging Systems, Inc. Metering valve for aerosol container
CN114921934B (en) * 2022-05-18 2023-10-20 湖北美的洗衣机有限公司 Throwing device and clothes treatment equipment

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US2723055A (en) * 1950-09-01 1955-11-08 Risdon Mfg Co Metering-valve for aerosol-spray dispensers
FR1287373A (en) * 1960-11-22 1962-03-16 Improvements to metering valves
FR1492188A (en) * 1965-06-21 1967-08-18 Improvements to distribution valves
GB2004526A (en) * 1977-09-22 1979-04-04 Glaxo Group Ltd Metering valve

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2723055A (en) * 1950-09-01 1955-11-08 Risdon Mfg Co Metering-valve for aerosol-spray dispensers
FR1287373A (en) * 1960-11-22 1962-03-16 Improvements to metering valves
FR1492188A (en) * 1965-06-21 1967-08-18 Improvements to distribution valves
GB2004526A (en) * 1977-09-22 1979-04-04 Glaxo Group Ltd Metering valve

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4413226A1 (en) * 1994-04-15 1995-10-19 Meckenstock Fritz Gmbh Closure for the dosed delivery of liquid
GB2311982B (en) * 1996-04-09 2000-03-08 Bespak Plc Improvements in or relating to valves for dispensers
US5938085A (en) * 1996-04-09 1999-08-17 Bespak Plc Valves for dispensers
GB2311982A (en) * 1996-04-09 1997-10-15 Bespak Plc Metered aerosol valve
EP0803449A1 (en) * 1996-04-26 1997-10-29 Bespak plc Improvements in or relating to valve for dispensers
US6644306B1 (en) 1998-03-19 2003-11-11 Smithkline Beecham Corporation Valve for aerosol container
FR2776741A1 (en) 1998-03-30 1999-10-01 Valois Sa IMPROVED DOSER VALVE
WO1999050156A1 (en) 1998-03-30 1999-10-07 Glaxo Group Limited Metering valve
FR2798367A1 (en) 1999-09-15 2001-03-16 Valois Sa VALVE SEAL FOR DOSING VALVE
WO2001019701A1 (en) 1999-09-15 2001-03-22 Valois S.A. Valve joint for metering valve
FR2850165A1 (en) * 2003-01-16 2004-07-23 Valois Sas Valve dosing pharmaceutical liquid to inhaler under pressure of propellant gas, has filling passage connecting dosing chamber to liquid product entry point
FR2850166A1 (en) * 2003-01-16 2004-07-23 Valois Sas Valve dosing pharmaceutical liquid to inhaler under pressure of propellant gas, has smaller radial dimensions in upper part including dispensing opening
GB2562732A (en) * 2017-05-22 2018-11-28 Linde Ag Metering valve apparatus and method of metering a fluid

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2634534A1 (en) 1990-01-26
FR2634534B1 (en) 1990-10-12
DE68904252D1 (en) 1993-02-18
EP0350376B1 (en) 1993-01-07
DE68904252T2 (en) 1993-05-19

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