EP0478395A2 - Method for emptying the dip tube and/or the internal space of a valve of a pressurized container and a corresponding container - Google Patents

Method for emptying the dip tube and/or the internal space of a valve of a pressurized container and a corresponding container Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0478395A2
EP0478395A2 EP91402125A EP91402125A EP0478395A2 EP 0478395 A2 EP0478395 A2 EP 0478395A2 EP 91402125 A EP91402125 A EP 91402125A EP 91402125 A EP91402125 A EP 91402125A EP 0478395 A2 EP0478395 A2 EP 0478395A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
valve
dip tube
container
propellant
internal space
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
EP91402125A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0478395B1 (en
EP0478395A3 (en
Inventor
Pierre Lasserre
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LOreal SA
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LOreal SA
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Publication of EP0478395A3 publication Critical patent/EP0478395A3/en
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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
    • B65D83/32—Dip-tubes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
    • B65B31/003—Adding propellants in fluid form to aerosol containers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for purging the dip tube and / or the internal space of a pressurized container valve and a corresponding container, in particular an aerosol generating container.
  • pressurized containers have a valve for dispensing the liquid phase they contain; this valve is provided with a dip tube which extends in the liquid phase to the bottom of the container; the liquid phase consists of the product to be dispensed and a propellant in liquefied form.
  • the propellant is, in known manner, made up of at least one alkane, such as n-butane, isobutane, propane, isopentane, or at least one propellant whose density is less than 1 g / cm3 immiscible in the formula.
  • a dose of the composition to be dispensed is introduced into the empty and opened container.
  • the valve cup which carries the dispensing valve, is then crimped onto the upper edge of the container containing the composition.
  • the liquefied propellant so as to pressurize the container.
  • the device thus conditioned is then provided with a dispensing head enabling the valve to be actuated.
  • the interior space of the valve and of the dip tube is filled by the propellant in liquid form. If the user presses the dispensing head for dispensing the composition on the skin, it first emits a jet of propellant liquid before the arrival of the composition itself, which causes a very unpleasant feeling of cold on the skin of the user.
  • the object of the present invention is a method for purging the dip tube from a pressurized container in which the property of certain polymers is used to swell in the presence of propellants, while retaining their overall shape without sagging, the propellant being in solution or absorbed in the polymer.
  • the present invention therefore relates to a method for purging the dip tube and / or the internal valve space of a pressurized container containing a product to be dispensed and a propellant in liquid form, said container containing a liquid phase surmounted by a vapor phase, the dip tube and / or the valve passing through said vapor phase, the dip tube immersing in the liquid phase, characterized in that the interior of the dip tube and / or the internal space of the valve is placed at least partially in contact with an element made of polymer material capable of swelling under the action of the propellant in liquid form, the element made of polymer material being at least partially in contact with the vapor phase outside the valve, so that the polymer material absorbs the propellant contained in the dip tube and / or the internal space of the valve.
  • the polymeric material swells while remaining solid, that is to say without having a tendency to creep or flow.
  • the polymeric material pumps, in a way, the liquid propellant contained in the internal space of the valve and in the dip tube and it is thought that the liquid propellant then diffuses at least partially in the gas phase.
  • the internal space of the valve and the dip tube gradually empties of the pure liquid propellant, which is replaced by the liquid phase to be ejected.
  • the propellant can be an alkane such as n-butane, isobutane, propane or isobutane, or a mixture of these alkanes.
  • the polymeric material can be natural or synthetic rubber. It is preferably a silicone rubber, but one could also use a copolymer of isoprene and styrene, a polyisobutylene, a butadiene-styrene copolymer or a polynorbornene.
  • a silicone rubber is capable of absorbing up to twice its volume of liquefied isobutane when it is immersed in said liquefied isobutane: 1 g of silicone rubber can therefore absorb 1.5 g of isobutane.
  • the present invention also relates to a pressurized container for implementing the method described above comprising a valve provided with a dip tube and containing a product to be dispensed and a propellant in the form of liquid, said container containing a liquid phase. surmounted by a vapor phase, characterized in that the interior of the dip tube and / or the internal space of the valve is (are) at least partially in contact with an element made of polymer material capable of absorbing the propellant in liquid form, the element made of polymer material being at least partially in contact with the vapor phase.
  • the dip tube can be made, at least partially, of polymer material capable of absorbing the liquid propellant.
  • the polymeric material is preferably arranged in the form of a sleeve surrounding the dip tube and / or a tubular part of the valve and communicating with the interior of the dip tube and / or the internal space of the valve by at least an opening in the wall of the dip tube and / or the wall of the valve.
  • the sleeve is preferably disposed entirely at the vapor phase when the container is full.
  • the valve used is an additional gas intake valve, the additional gas intake opening being covered by a sleeve of absorbent polymer material.
  • the valve 1 of the container according to the invention is an additional gas intake valve, the additional gas intake opening 2 of which is closed by a sleeve 3 in silicone rubber.
  • the valve 1 carries a dip tube 22; it is crimped onto a valve cup 4.
  • the cup 4 is fixed to the upper edge of a container (not shown) which contains the product to be dispensed and the propellant in the form of a liquid phase L and a vapor phase V.
  • the valve 1 consists of two parts: a movable part 5 and a fixed part 6 having externally a generally cylindrical shape.
  • the fixed part 6 contains two chambers 7 and 8.
  • the movable part 5 is constituted by a tubular element 9 in a thermowell open at one of its ends on the outside and closed at its other end, at the level of a collar 10 ; the flange 10 carries, on its face opposite to the tubular element 9, a rod 11 facing the container, the cross section of which has an X shape.
  • openings 23 are formed for the ejection of the product to be dispensed.
  • the enlarged upper rim 12 of the fixed part 6 is covered by the crimping 13 of the valve cup 4, a seal 14 being disposed between the crimping and the upper face of said enlarged rim 12.
  • the chamber 7 is formed in the upper part of the fixed part 6; it is closed at its lower part by a bottom 15 provided with an axial opening 16, which places the chamber 7 in communication with the chamber 8.
  • the movable part 5 slides axially in the chamber 7 between a position where the flange 10 is in contact with the seal 14 and a position, where the underside of the rod 11 comes close to the opening 16 of the bottom 15.
  • the movable part 5 can be pressed by pressure on the tubular element 9 and return to its initial position (shown in the drawing) under the action of a spring 17 which surrounds the rod 11 and rests, on the one hand, under the flange 10, on the other hand, on the bottom 15 of the chamber 7 in an annular groove 18 formed for this purpose.
  • the rod 11 constitutes a guide for the spring 17.
  • the driving-in limit of the movable part 5 corresponds to the complete compression of the spring 17.
  • Chamber 8 is open to the container; it consists of two cylindrical parts: a part of smaller diameter 19 located near the bottom 15 of the chamber 7, part into which open the opening 16 which puts it in communication with the chamber 7 and the orifice of the socket additional gas 2, and a portion of larger diameter 20 opening towards the container.
  • the wall 21 of the fixed part 6 is thinned and a dip tube 22 of flexible plastic material is force fitted on this thinned wall.
  • the sleeve 3 of silicone rubber is placed in an annular housing of the outer wall of the fixed part 6 of the valve 1 and covers the orifice of the additional gas intake 2. This sleeve 3 and the additional gas intake 2 are, after filling the container, entirely located in the vapor phase V.
  • the product to be dispensed for example a foaming product
  • the valve cup 4 carrying its valve 1 provided with the sleeve 3 is fixed on the container.
  • Liquid isobutane is then introduced as propellant through valve 1 and a dispensing head (not shown) is fixed on said valve.
  • liquid isobutane remains in the chambers 7 and 8 and in the dip tube 22.
  • Said isobutane is gradually absorbed by the silicone rubber of the sleeve 3 and restored by diffusion at least partially into the container at the vapor phase V.
  • Tests have shown that in a 200 ml container with a dip tube about 15 cm long, and 3.1 mm in internal diameter, all the liquid isobutane contained in the dip tube 22 and in the chambers 7 and 8 of the valve 1 (chambers with a free internal space of about 0.4 cm3) could be absorbed in four hours, when using an intake orifice additional gas 2 with a diameter of 1 mm.
  • the valve then operates in a known manner.
  • the moving part 5 of the valve is pressed, which crushes the spring 17.
  • the liquid phase contained in the container passes through the openings 16 and 23 and is expelled towards the outside.
  • the spring 17 brings up the movable part 5 and the openings 23 are blocked by the seal 14.
  • the sleeve 3 of silicone rubber keeps the additional gas intake 2 closed, which, according to this embodiment, therefore does not allow the introduction into the valve of gas coming from the vapor phase V during the valve operation.

Abstract

In order to flush the dip tube (22) and/or the internal space of the valve (1) clear of the liquid propellant which is located therein after filling of an aerosol-type container, the inside of the dip tube (22) and/or the internal space (7, 8) of the valve (1) is placed in contact with an element (3) made of polymer material which has the property of absorbing the liquid propellant. <IMAGE>

Description

La présente invention concerne un procédé pour purger le tube plongeur et/ou l'espace interne d'une valve de récipient pressurisé et un récipient correspondant, notamment un récipient générateur d'aérosol.The present invention relates to a method for purging the dip tube and / or the internal space of a pressurized container valve and a corresponding container, in particular an aerosol generating container.

Généralement, les récipients pressurisés comportent une valve pour la distribution de la phase liquide qu'ils contiennent ; cette valve est munie d'un tube plongeur qui s'étend dans la phase liquide jusqu'au fond du récipient ; la phase liquide est constituée par le produit à distribuer et un propulseur sous forme liquéfiée.Generally, pressurized containers have a valve for dispensing the liquid phase they contain; this valve is provided with a dip tube which extends in the liquid phase to the bottom of the container; the liquid phase consists of the product to be dispensed and a propellant in liquefied form.

Le propulseur est, de façon connue, constitué d'au moins un alcane, tel que le n-butane, l'isobutane, le propane, l'isopentane, ou d'au moins un propulseur dont la densité est inférieure à 1g/cm³ non miscible dans la formule.The propellant is, in known manner, made up of at least one alkane, such as n-butane, isobutane, propane, isopentane, or at least one propellant whose density is less than 1 g / cm³ immiscible in the formula.

Lors du conditionnement sur chaîne d'une composition, par exemple moussante, dans un récipient pressurisé, on procède généralement de la façon décrite ci-après. On introduit d'abord dans le récipient vide et ouvert une dose de la composition à distribuer. On sertit ensuite la coupelle de valve, qui porte la valve de distribution, sur le bord supérieur du récipient contenant la composition. On injecte ensuite dans le récipient, à travers la valve, le propulseur liquéfié, de façon à pressuriser le récipient. Le dispositif ainsi conditionné, est muni, ensuite, d'une tête de distribution permettant d'actionner la valve.When packaging a chain, for example a foaming composition, in a pressurized container, the procedure is generally carried out as described below. First, a dose of the composition to be dispensed is introduced into the empty and opened container. The valve cup, which carries the dispensing valve, is then crimped onto the upper edge of the container containing the composition. Then injected into the container, through the valve, the liquefied propellant, so as to pressurize the container. The device thus conditioned is then provided with a dispensing head enabling the valve to be actuated.

Dans ces conditions, l'espace intérieur de la valve et du tube plongeur est rempli par le propulseur sous forme liquide. Si l'utilisateur appuie sur la tête de distribution pour distribuer la composition sur la peau, il sort d'abord un jet de liquide propulseur avant l'arrivée de la composition elle-même, ce qui provoque une sensation de froid très désagréable sur la peau de l'utilisateur.Under these conditions, the interior space of the valve and of the dip tube is filled by the propellant in liquid form. If the user presses the dispensing head for dispensing the composition on the skin, it first emits a jet of propellant liquid before the arrival of the composition itself, which causes a very unpleasant feeling of cold on the skin of the user.

Pour rémédier à cet inconvénient, plusieurs solutions peuvent être envisagées.

  • 1) On peut purger l'espace intérieur de la valve et le tube plongeur en injectant de l'eau après le propulseur ; on obtient ainsi lors de la première distribution, une éjection d'eau avant l'arrivée de la composition, ce qui n'est pas souhaité, notamment lorsqu'on distribue une mousse et que l'eau est envoyée préalablement sous forme de jet. De plus, l'injection d'eau requiert un poste de travail supplémentaire dans la chaîne de conditionnement.
  • 2) On a proposé d'actionner la valve de distribution sur la chaîne de conditionnement pour éjecter le propulseur contenu dans l'espace interne de la valve et du tube plongeur, ce qui nécessite également un poste supplémentaire sur la chaîne de conditionnement. De plus, il y a perte d'une fraction du propulseur que l'on rejette dans l'air avec tous les inconvénients que cela présente. En outre, il peut se produire des salissures, notamment dans le cas d'un récipient distributeur de mousse.
  • 3) On peut également envisager de purger le tube plongeur avec de l'azote. Cette solution, comme les précédentes demande un poste de travail supplémentaire sur la chaîne de conditionnement. En outre, la pression finale dans le récipient est très difficilement contrôlable.
To remedy this drawback, several solutions can be envisaged.
  • 1) The interior space of the valve and the dip tube can be purged by injecting water after the propellant; there is thus obtained during the first distribution, a water ejection before the arrival of the composition, which is not desired, in particular when a foam is dispensed and the water is sent beforehand in the form of a jet. In addition, water injection requires an additional workstation in the packaging line.
  • 2) It has been proposed to actuate the dispensing valve on the packaging line to eject the propellant contained in the internal space of the valve and of the dip tube, which also requires an additional station on the packaging line. In addition, there is loss of a fraction of the propellant which is released into the air with all the disadvantages that this presents. In addition, soiling can occur, especially in the case of a foam dispensing container.
  • 3) One can also consider purging the dip tube with nitrogen. This solution, like the previous ones, requires an additional workstation on the packaging line. In addition, the final pressure in the container is very difficult to control.

La présente invention a pour but un procédé pour purger le tube plongeur d'un récipient pressurisé dans lequel on utilise la propriété de certains polymères de gonfler en présence des propulseurs, tout en conservant leur forme globale sans affaissement, le propulseur étant en solution ou absorbé dans le polymère.The object of the present invention is a method for purging the dip tube from a pressurized container in which the property of certain polymers is used to swell in the presence of propellants, while retaining their overall shape without sagging, the propellant being in solution or absorbed in the polymer.

On a déjà proposé dans GB-A 1 365 298 de dissoudre ou absorber un propulseur dans un caoutchouc (caoutchouc naturel, synthétique ou caoutchouc de silicone) à l'intérieur d'un récipient : le caoutchouc contenant le propulseur dissous ou absorbé est susceptible, en cours de distribution, de libérer le propulseur pour réduire la chute de pression due à la distribution dans la partie du récipient contenant la phase liquide et pour maintenir ainsi dans le récipient une pression permettant une bonne distribution du produit conditionné dans le récipient. Cette utilisation du gonflement du polymère pour générer un relargage du propulseur pour le maintien des caractéristiques de distribution ne suggère en rien le procédé selon l'invention où l'on ne cherche aucunement un relargage pour maintenir une pression de distribution et où le polymère ne sert qu'à pomper la partie du propulseur qui remplit initialement la valve et le tube plongeur d'un récipient chargé, ce rôle de pompe pouvant être joué grâce à une disposition particulière du polymère à l'intérieur du récipient.It has already been proposed in GB-A 1 365 298 to dissolve or absorb a propellant in a rubber (natural, synthetic rubber or silicone rubber) inside a container: the rubber containing the dissolved or absorbed propellant is susceptible, during distribution, to release the propellant to reduce the pressure drop due to distribution in the part of the container containing the liquid phase and thus to maintain in the container a pressure allowing good distribution of the packaged product in the container. This use of the swelling of the polymer to generate a release of the propellant to maintain the distribution characteristics does not in any way suggest the method according to the invention in which no release is sought in order to maintain a distribution pressure and where the polymer is not used. than to pump the part of the propellant which initially fills the valve and the dip tube of a loaded container, this role of pump can be played thanks to a particular arrangement of the polymer inside the container.

La présente invention a donc pour objet un procédé pour purger le tube plongeur et/ou l'espace interne de valve d'un récipient pressurisé contenant un produit à distribuer et un propulseur sous forme liquide, ledit récipient contenant une phase liquide surmontée d'une phase vapeur, le tube plongeur et/ou la valve traversant ladite phase vapeur, le tube plongeur plongeant dans la phase liquide, caractérisé par le fait que l'on met l'intérieur du tube plongeur et/ou l'espace interne de la valve au moins partiellement en contact avec un élément en matière polymère susceptible de gonfler sous l'action du propulseur sous forme liquide, l'élément en matière polymère étant au moins partiellement en contact avec la phase vapeur à l'extérieur de la valve, de façon que la matière polymère absorbe le propulseur contenu dans le tube plongeur et/ou l'espace interne de la valve.The present invention therefore relates to a method for purging the dip tube and / or the internal valve space of a pressurized container containing a product to be dispensed and a propellant in liquid form, said container containing a liquid phase surmounted by a vapor phase, the dip tube and / or the valve passing through said vapor phase, the dip tube immersing in the liquid phase, characterized in that the interior of the dip tube and / or the internal space of the valve is placed at least partially in contact with an element made of polymer material capable of swelling under the action of the propellant in liquid form, the element made of polymer material being at least partially in contact with the vapor phase outside the valve, so that the polymer material absorbs the propellant contained in the dip tube and / or the internal space of the valve.

Dans ce procédé, la matière polymère gonfle en restant solide, c'est-à-dire sans avoir tendance à fluer ou à s'écouler. La matière polymère pompe, en quelque sorte, le propulseur liquide contenu dans l'espace interne de la valve et dans le tube plongeur et on pense que le propulseur liquide diffuse ensuite au moins partiellement dans la phase gazeuse. Par ce processus, l'espace interne de la valve et du tube plongeur se vide peu à peu du propulseur liquide pur, qui est remplacé par la phase liquide à éjecter.In this process, the polymeric material swells while remaining solid, that is to say without having a tendency to creep or flow. The polymeric material pumps, in a way, the liquid propellant contained in the internal space of the valve and in the dip tube and it is thought that the liquid propellant then diffuses at least partially in the gas phase. By this process, the internal space of the valve and the dip tube gradually empties of the pure liquid propellant, which is replaced by the liquid phase to be ejected.

De façon connue, le propulseur peut être un alcane tel que le n-butane, l'isobutane, le propane ou l'isobutane, ou un mélange de ces alcanes.In known manner, the propellant can be an alkane such as n-butane, isobutane, propane or isobutane, or a mixture of these alkanes.

La matière polymère peut être un caoutchouc naturel ou synthétique. C'est, de préférence, un caoutchouc de silicone, mais on pourrait également utiliser un copolymère d'isoprène et de styrène, un polyisobutylène, un copolymère butadiène-styrène ou un polynorbornène. Par exemple, un caoutchouc de silicone est capable d'absorber jusqu'à deux fois son volume en isobutane liquéfié lorsqu'on le plonge dans ledit isobutane liquéfié : 1 g de caoutchouc de silicone peut donc absorber 1,5 g d'isobutane.The polymeric material can be natural or synthetic rubber. It is preferably a silicone rubber, but one could also use a copolymer of isoprene and styrene, a polyisobutylene, a butadiene-styrene copolymer or a polynorbornene. For example, a silicone rubber is capable of absorbing up to twice its volume of liquefied isobutane when it is immersed in said liquefied isobutane: 1 g of silicone rubber can therefore absorb 1.5 g of isobutane.

La présente invention a également pour objet un récipient pressurisé pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé décrit ci-dessus comprenant une valve munie d'un tube plongeur et contenant un produit à distribuer et un propulseur sous forme de liquide, ledit récipient contenant une phase liquide surmontée d'une phase vapeur, caractérisé par le fait que l'intérieur du tube plongeur et/ou l'espace interne de la valve est (sont) au moins partiellement en contact avec un élément en matière polymère susceptible d'absorber le propulseur sous forme liquide, l'élément en matière polymère étant au moins partiellement en contact avec la phase vapeur.The present invention also relates to a pressurized container for implementing the method described above comprising a valve provided with a dip tube and containing a product to be dispensed and a propellant in the form of liquid, said container containing a liquid phase. surmounted by a vapor phase, characterized in that the interior of the dip tube and / or the internal space of the valve is (are) at least partially in contact with an element made of polymer material capable of absorbing the propellant in liquid form, the element made of polymer material being at least partially in contact with the vapor phase.

Selon l'invention, le tube plongeur peut être réalisé, au moins partiellement, en matière polymère susceptible d'absorber le propulseur liquide. La matière polymère est, de préférence, disposée sous forme d'un manchon entourant le tube plongeur et/ou une partie tubulaire de la valve et communiquant avec l'intérieur du tube plongeur et/ou l'espace interne de la valve par au moins une ouverture ménagée dans la paroi du tube plongeur et/ou la paroi de la valve. Le manchon est, de préférence, disposé entièrement au niveau de la phase vapeur lorsque le récipient est plein. Selon un mode de réalisation préféré, la valve utilisée est une valve à prise de gaz additionnelle, l'ouverture de prise de gaz additionnelle étant couverte par un manchon en matière polymère absorbante.According to the invention, the dip tube can be made, at least partially, of polymer material capable of absorbing the liquid propellant. The polymeric material is preferably arranged in the form of a sleeve surrounding the dip tube and / or a tubular part of the valve and communicating with the interior of the dip tube and / or the internal space of the valve by at least an opening in the wall of the dip tube and / or the wall of the valve. The sleeve is preferably disposed entirely at the vapor phase when the container is full. According to a preferred embodiment, the valve used is an additional gas intake valve, the additional gas intake opening being covered by a sleeve of absorbent polymer material.

Pour mieux faire comprendre l'objet de l'invention, on va en décrire ci-après, à titre d'exemple purement illustratif et non limitatif, un mode de réalisation représenté sur le dessin annexé.To better understand the object of the invention, there will be described below, by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawing.

Sur ce dessin :

  • la figure unique représente, en coupe axiale, une valve munie d'un tube plongeur, la valve étant montée sur une coupelle de valve et étant destinée à être montée sur un récipient distributeur pressurisé selon l'invention, le récipient lui-même n'étant pas représenté.
On this drawing :
  • the single figure shows, in axial section, a valve provided with a dip tube, the valve being mounted on a valve cup and being intended to be mounted on a pressurized dispensing container according to the invention, the container itself does not being not shown.

En se référant au dessin, on voit que la valve 1 du récipient selon l'invention est une valve à prise de gaz additionnelle, dont l'orifice 2 de prise de gaz additionnelle est fermé par un manchon 3 en caoutchouc de silicone. La valve 1 porte un tube plongeur 22 ; elle est sertie sur une coupelle de valve 4. La coupelle 4 est fixée sur le bord supérieur d'un récipient (non représenté) qui contient le produit à distribuer et le propulseur sous forme d'une phase liquide L et d'une phase vapeur V.Referring to the drawing, it can be seen that the valve 1 of the container according to the invention is an additional gas intake valve, the additional gas intake opening 2 of which is closed by a sleeve 3 in silicone rubber. The valve 1 carries a dip tube 22; it is crimped onto a valve cup 4. The cup 4 is fixed to the upper edge of a container (not shown) which contains the product to be dispensed and the propellant in the form of a liquid phase L and a vapor phase V.

La valve 1 est constituée de deux parties : une partie mobile 5 et une partie fixe 6 ayant extérieurement une forme générale cylindrique. La partie fixe 6 contient deux chambres 7 et 8. La partie mobile 5 est constituée par un élément tubulaire 9 en doigt de gant ouvert à une de ses extrémités sur l'extérieur et fermé à son autre extrémité, au niveau d'une collerette 10 ; la collerette 10 porte, sur sa face opposée à l'élément tubulaire 9, une tige 11 tournée vers le récipient dont la section transversale à une forme d'X. Dans la partie de l'élément tubulaire 9 située au voisinage de la collerette 10, sont ménagées des ouvertures 23 pour l'éjection du produit à distribuer. Le rebord supérieur élargi 12 de la partie fixe 6 est recouvert par le sertissage 13 de la coupelle de valve 4, un joint d'étanchéité 14 étant disposé entre le sertissage et la face supérieure dudit rebord élargi 12.The valve 1 consists of two parts: a movable part 5 and a fixed part 6 having externally a generally cylindrical shape. The fixed part 6 contains two chambers 7 and 8. The movable part 5 is constituted by a tubular element 9 in a thermowell open at one of its ends on the outside and closed at its other end, at the level of a collar 10 ; the flange 10 carries, on its face opposite to the tubular element 9, a rod 11 facing the container, the cross section of which has an X shape. In the part of the tubular element 9 located in the vicinity of the flange 10, openings 23 are formed for the ejection of the product to be dispensed. The enlarged upper rim 12 of the fixed part 6 is covered by the crimping 13 of the valve cup 4, a seal 14 being disposed between the crimping and the upper face of said enlarged rim 12.

La chambre 7 est ménagée dans la partie supérieure de la partie fixe 6 ; elle est fermée à sa partie inférieure par un fond 15 muni d'une ouverture axiale 16, qui met en communication la chambre 7 avec la chambre 8. La partie mobile 5 coulisse axialement dans la chambre 7 entre une position où la collerette 10 est en contact avec le joint d'étanchéité 14 et une position, où la face inférieure de la tige 11 vient à proximité de l'ouverture 16 du fond 15. La partie mobile 5 peut être enfoncée par pression sur l'élément tubulaire 9 et revenir dans sa position initiale (représentée sur le dessin) sous l'action d'un ressort 17 qui entoure la tige 11 et s'appuie, d'une part, sous la collerette 10, d'autre part, sur le fond 15 de la chambre 7 dans une rainure annulaire 18 ménagée à cet effet. La tige 11 constitue un guide pour le ressort 17. La limite d'enfoncement de la partie mobile 5 correspond à la compression complète du ressort 17.The chamber 7 is formed in the upper part of the fixed part 6; it is closed at its lower part by a bottom 15 provided with an axial opening 16, which places the chamber 7 in communication with the chamber 8. The movable part 5 slides axially in the chamber 7 between a position where the flange 10 is in contact with the seal 14 and a position, where the underside of the rod 11 comes close to the opening 16 of the bottom 15. The movable part 5 can be pressed by pressure on the tubular element 9 and return to its initial position (shown in the drawing) under the action of a spring 17 which surrounds the rod 11 and rests, on the one hand, under the flange 10, on the other hand, on the bottom 15 of the chamber 7 in an annular groove 18 formed for this purpose. The rod 11 constitutes a guide for the spring 17. The driving-in limit of the movable part 5 corresponds to the complete compression of the spring 17.

La chambre 8 est ouverte vers le récipient ; elle est constituée de deux parties cylindriques : une partie de plus petit diamètre 19 située au voisinage du fond 15 de la chambre 7, partie dans laquelle débouchent l'ouverture 16 qui la met en communication avec la chambre 7 et l'orifice de la prise de gaz additionnelle 2, et une partie de plus grand diamètre 20 s'ouvrant vers le récipient. Au niveau de cette partie 20 de la chambre 8, la paroi 21 de la partie fixe 6 est amincie et un tube plongeur 22 en matière plastique souple est emmanché à force sur cette paroi amincie. Le manchon 3 en caoutchouc de silicone est mis en place dans un logement annulaire de la paroi extérieure de la partie fixe 6 de la valve 1 et recouvre l'orifice de la prise de gaz additionnelle 2. Ce manchon 3 et la prise de gaz additionnelle 2 sont, après remplissage du récipient, entièrement situés dans la phase vapeur V.Chamber 8 is open to the container; it consists of two cylindrical parts: a part of smaller diameter 19 located near the bottom 15 of the chamber 7, part into which open the opening 16 which puts it in communication with the chamber 7 and the orifice of the socket additional gas 2, and a portion of larger diameter 20 opening towards the container. At this part 20 of the chamber 8, the wall 21 of the fixed part 6 is thinned and a dip tube 22 of flexible plastic material is force fitted on this thinned wall. The sleeve 3 of silicone rubber is placed in an annular housing of the outer wall of the fixed part 6 of the valve 1 and covers the orifice of the additional gas intake 2. This sleeve 3 and the additional gas intake 2 are, after filling the container, entirely located in the vapor phase V.

Pour remplir le récipient, on introduit le produit à distribuer, par exemple un produit moussant, dans le récipient puis on fixe sur le récipient la coupelle de valve 4 portant sa valve 1 munie du manchon 3. On introduit ensuite de l'isobutane liquide comme propulseur à travers la valve 1 et on fixe sur ladite valve une tête de distribution (non représentée).To fill the container, the product to be dispensed, for example a foaming product, is introduced into the container and then the valve cup 4 carrying its valve 1 provided with the sleeve 3 is fixed on the container. Liquid isobutane is then introduced as propellant through valve 1 and a dispensing head (not shown) is fixed on said valve.

Dans ces conditions, de l'isobutane liquide reste dans les chambres 7 et 8 et dans le tube plongeur 22. Ledit isobutane est peu à peu absorbé par le caoutchouc de silicone du manchon 3 et restitué par diffusion au moins partiellement dans le récipient au niveau de la phase vapeur V. Des essais ont montré que dans un récipient de 200 ml avec un tube plongeur d'environ 15 cm de long, et 3,1 mm de diamètre interne, tout l'isobutane liquide contenu dans le tube plongeur 22 et dans les chambres 7 et 8 de la valve 1 (chambres dont l'espace interne libre est de 0,4 cm³ environ) pouvait être absorbé en quatre heures, quand on utilise un orifice de prise de gaz additionnelle 2 d'un diamètre de 1 mm.Under these conditions, liquid isobutane remains in the chambers 7 and 8 and in the dip tube 22. Said isobutane is gradually absorbed by the silicone rubber of the sleeve 3 and restored by diffusion at least partially into the container at the vapor phase V. Tests have shown that in a 200 ml container with a dip tube about 15 cm long, and 3.1 mm in internal diameter, all the liquid isobutane contained in the dip tube 22 and in the chambers 7 and 8 of the valve 1 (chambers with a free internal space of about 0.4 cm³) could be absorbed in four hours, when using an intake orifice additional gas 2 with a diameter of 1 mm.

La valve fonctionne ensuite de façon connue. On appuie sur la partie mobile 5 de la valve, ce qui écrase le ressort 17. La phase liquide contenue dans le récipient traverse les ouvertures 16 et 23 et est expulsée vers l'extérieur. Lorsqu'on cesse d'appuyer sur la partie mobile 5 le ressort 17 fait remonter la partie mobile 5 et les ouvertures 23 sont bouchées par le joint 14.The valve then operates in a known manner. The moving part 5 of the valve is pressed, which crushes the spring 17. The liquid phase contained in the container passes through the openings 16 and 23 and is expelled towards the outside. When the pressing of the movable part 5 ceases, the spring 17 brings up the movable part 5 and the openings 23 are blocked by the seal 14.

Il faut noter que le manchon 3 en caoutchouc de silicone maintient fermée la prise de gaz additionnelle 2 qui, selon ce mode de réalisation, ne permet donc pas l'introduction, dans la valve, de gaz provenant de la phase vapeur V au cours du fonctionnement de la valve.It should be noted that the sleeve 3 of silicone rubber keeps the additional gas intake 2 closed, which, according to this embodiment, therefore does not allow the introduction into the valve of gas coming from the vapor phase V during the valve operation.

Claims (8)

Procédé pour purger le tube plongeur (22) et/ou l'espace interne (7, 8) de la valve (1) d'un récipient pressurisé contenant un produit à distribuer et un propulseur sous forme liquide, ledit récipient contenant une phase liquide (L) surmontée d'une phase vapeur (V) et le tube plongeur (22) et/ou la valve (1) traversant ladite phase vapeur (V), le tube plongeur (22) plongeant dans la phase liquide (L), caractérisé par le fait que l'intérieur du tube plongeur (22) et/ou l'espace interne (8) de la valve est au moins partiellement en contact avec un élément (3) en matière polymère susceptible de gonfler sous l'action du propulseur sous forme liquide, l'élément (3) en matière polymère étant au moins partiellement en contact avec la phase vapeur (V), de façon que la matière polymère absorbe le propulseur contenu dans le tube plongeur (22) et/ou l'espace interne (7, 8) de la valve (1).Method for purging the dip tube (22) and / or the internal space (7, 8) of the valve (1) of a pressurized container containing a product to be dispensed and a propellant in liquid form, said container containing a liquid phase (L) surmounted by a vapor phase (V) and the dip tube (22) and / or the valve (1) passing through said vapor phase (V), the dip tube (22) plunging into the liquid phase (L), characterized by the fact that the interior of the dip tube (22) and / or the internal space (8) of the valve is at least partially in contact with an element (3) made of polymer material capable of swelling under the action of the propellant in liquid form, the element (3) of polymeric material being at least partially in contact with the vapor phase (V), so that the polymeric material absorbs the propellant contained in the dip tube (22) and / or the internal space (7, 8) of the valve (1). Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait que la matière polymère est un caoutchouc naturel ou synthétique.Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the polymeric material is a natural or synthetic rubber. Procédé selon la revendication 2, caractérisé par le fait que la matière polymère est un caoutchouc de silicone.Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the polymeric material is a silicone rubber. Récipient pressurisé pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, comprenant une valve (1) munie d'un tube plongeur (22), contenant un produit à distribuer et un propulseur sous forme liquide, le récipient contenant une phase liquide (L) surmontée d'une phase vapeur (V), caractérisé par le fait que l'intérieur du tube plongeur (22) et/ou l'espace interne (7, 8) de la valve (1) est (sont) au moins partiellement en contact avec un élément (3) en matière polymère susceptible d'absorber le propulseur sous forme liquide, l'élément (3) en matière polymère étant au moins partiellement en contact avec la phase vapeur.Pressurized container for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a valve (1) provided with a dip tube (22), containing a product to be dispensed and a propellant in liquid form, the container containing a liquid phase (L) surmounted by a vapor phase (V), characterized in that the interior of the dip tube (22) and / or the internal space (7, 8) of the valve (1) is ( are) at least partially in contact with an element (3) of polymeric material capable of absorbing the propellant in liquid form, the element (3) of polymeric material being at least partially in contact with the vapor phase. Récipient selon la revendication 4, caractérisé par le fait que le tube plongeur (22) est au moins partiellement en matière polymère susceptible d'absorber le propulseur sous forme liquide.Container according to claim 4, characterized in that the dip tube (22) is at least partially made of polymer material capable of absorbing the propellant in liquid form. Récipient selon la revendication 4, caractérisé par le fait que l'élément en matière polymère est un manchon (3) entourant le tube plongeur (22) et/ou une partie tubulaire de la valve (1), ledit manchon (3) communiquant avec l'intérieur du tube plongeur (22) et/ou l'espace interne de la valve (1) par au moins une ouverture (2) ménagée dans la paroi du tube plongeur (22) et/ou la paroi de la valve (1).Container according to claim 4, characterized in that the element made of polymeric material is a sleeve (3) surrounding the dip tube (22) and / or a tubular part of the valve (1), said sleeve (3) communicating with the inside of the dip tube (22) and / or the internal space of the valve (1) by at least one opening (2) formed in the wall of the dip tube (22) and / or the wall of the valve (1 ). Récipient selon la revendication 6, caractérisé par le fait que le manchon (3) est disposé entièrement au niveau de la phase vapeur (V) lorsque le récipient est plein.Container according to claim 6, characterized in that the sleeve (3) is arranged entirely at the vapor phase (V) when the container is full. Récipient selon l'une des revendications 6 ou 7, caractérisé par le fait que la valve (1) est une valve à prise de gaz additionnelle (2), l'orifice de prise de gaz additionnelle étant couvert par un manchon (3) en matière polymère susceptible d'absorber le propulseur sous forme liquide.Container according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the valve (1) is an additional gas intake valve (2), the additional gas intake orifice being covered by a sleeve (3) in polymeric material capable of absorbing the propellant in liquid form.
EP19910402125 1990-09-13 1991-07-30 Method for emptying the dip tube and/or the internal space of a valve of a pressurized container and a corresponding container Expired - Lifetime EP0478395B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9011312 1990-09-13
FR9011312A FR2666789B1 (en) 1990-09-13 1990-09-13 PROCESS FOR BLEEDING THE DIVER TUBE AND / OR THE INTERNAL SPACE OF A PRESSURIZED CONTAINER VALVE AND CORRESPONDING CONTAINER.

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0478395A2 true EP0478395A2 (en) 1992-04-01
EP0478395A3 EP0478395A3 (en) 1992-05-20
EP0478395B1 EP0478395B1 (en) 1994-11-30

Family

ID=9400291

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19910402125 Expired - Lifetime EP0478395B1 (en) 1990-09-13 1991-07-30 Method for emptying the dip tube and/or the internal space of a valve of a pressurized container and a corresponding container

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0478395B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69105436T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2067181T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2666789B1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2699635A1 (en) * 1992-12-21 1994-06-24 Oreal Distributor valve for aerosol container
EP1394073A1 (en) * 2002-08-30 2004-03-03 L'oreal Valve for a pressurised container and container provided therewith
US6776313B2 (en) 2002-08-30 2004-08-17 L'oreal Valve for a pressurized receptacle, and a receptacle fitted therewith
WO2010079321A1 (en) * 2009-01-06 2010-07-15 Reckitt & Colman (Overseas) Limited Aerosol container with improved anti-corrosion properties

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1293360A (en) * 1960-06-20 1962-05-11 Revlon Advanced aerosol sprayer

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1293360A (en) * 1960-06-20 1962-05-11 Revlon Advanced aerosol sprayer

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2699635A1 (en) * 1992-12-21 1994-06-24 Oreal Distributor valve for aerosol container
EP1394073A1 (en) * 2002-08-30 2004-03-03 L'oreal Valve for a pressurised container and container provided therewith
FR2843950A1 (en) * 2002-08-30 2004-03-05 Oreal VALVE FOR PRESSURIZED CONTAINER AND CONTAINER THUS EQUIPPED
US6776313B2 (en) 2002-08-30 2004-08-17 L'oreal Valve for a pressurized receptacle, and a receptacle fitted therewith
WO2010079321A1 (en) * 2009-01-06 2010-07-15 Reckitt & Colman (Overseas) Limited Aerosol container with improved anti-corrosion properties

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2666789B1 (en) 1992-12-04
EP0478395B1 (en) 1994-11-30
DE69105436D1 (en) 1995-01-12
DE69105436T2 (en) 1995-07-06
FR2666789A1 (en) 1992-03-20
ES2067181T3 (en) 1995-03-16
EP0478395A3 (en) 1992-05-20

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