EP0778225B1 - Aerosol container - Google Patents

Description

The subject of the invention is a new pressurized container, the body of which consists of the assembly of a valve body and a valve holder cup.

Trade in consumer products, in particular products cosmetics, passes by the distribution, free of charge, of quantities of tests of these products, or sampling. The sample must be as close as possible to the product of sale, as for the formula, the perfume, the texture, the galenic form, the conditioning and packaging. In addition, for economic reasons, the manufacturer always try to sample the smallest amount of product.

On the other hand, the packaging of cosmetic products in single doses has a interest in travel, this type of packaging taking up little space in luggage.

In the case of products distributed in a pressurized container, it is easy to prepare small packaging which respects the original formula, the criterion which the sample must satisfy is currently not respected. Indeed, a pressurized container, even a small one, requires a certain number of essential elements, which are the container body, i.e. a can in tin or aluminum, on the walls of which a varnish is deposited and on the neck of which a valve is set, by means of a valve-holder cup, as well as a means of distribution connected to the valve.

However, the technique of manufacturing pressurized cans does not make it possible to manufacture cans small enough to match the volume of a test dose, i.e. 3.5 ml to 8 ml approximately. Indeed, the work of crimping the metal (crimping the valve holder cup, on the container body, on the one hand, and around the valve, on the other hand) which consists in forcing the metal to take the desired configuration, in particular to come enclosing the valve is a job that can only be done on parts of a size sufficient. This manufacturing constraint therefore determines the size of the valve holder cup and therefore the volume of the container, which is necessarily greater than one dose of use.

On the other hand, these can shaping operations are expensive, as is the incorporation of a valve in the container, which nevertheless constitutes one of the elements essential for the operation of the pressurized container.

In order to solve this problem, it was envisaged to use a container made of material thermoplastic instead of the metal can, but this solution is also very expensive, on the one hand, due to the high internal pressure defined by the gas propellant, which requires the use of a large thickness of plastic to give it sufficient rigidity. On the other hand, the crimping of the valve on the neck of the container requires a particular shape of this neck and this valve. We are therefore obliged to use a valve designed for external crimping, therefore more expensive than a standard valve. The external crimping must be carried out on a perfectly regular surface, i.e. without trace of joint plane or demoulding. This requires that the cans be manufactured by an injection blow molding technique, which is expensive for the production of a number student units. Such a container is described in particular in US Patent 3,327,907.

The invention also relates to a new pressurized device for dispensing liquid or creamy products, such as for example cosmetic products, food, pharmaceutical.

According to the prior art, a pressurized device consists of a container body, on which possibly comes to fit a cover; on the neck of this container is crimped a valve via a valve holder cup, a distribution means connected to the valve is provided; the container body and the cup define a reservoir cavity; the valve consists of a valve body, a valve control rod which passes through the valve body, a seal and a return system that presses the control rod valve against the seal, the assembly being held in place by crimping the valve holder cup; the valve control rod is surmounted by a push button. In the container body are arranged a product to be dispensed and a means of propulsion.

The means of propulsion can be a compressed gas directly in contact with the product in the container body. In this case a plunger member is attached to the valve. We can also provide, when you do not want the product to be in contact with gas, separate the gas and the product by a flexible bag or by a piston. In the case of flexible pocket, we are often faced with compatibility problems with the formula and strength of the material constituting the bag, which must be flexible and waterproof that time. If we use a piston to separate the gas from the product, we are faced with sealing problems along the contact surfaces between the piston and the inner wall of the container body. In addition, in these two cases, the filling orifice of the gas must be distinct from that of the formula: the filling of the gas is often done by an orifice located at the bottom of the container, closed by a rubber stopper. This configuration requires rework during manufacture: opening of the orifice filling the gas, fitting the bag or piston, fitting the plug. It is also expensive because of the complexity of the filling process: filling of the product then of the gas.

Furthermore, we know from document EP-A-561292, dispensing devices using as a means of propulsion, a closed cell cellular material. A gas is held captive in the cells of the alveolar material. This document describes devices in which the product is placed in a flexible bottle, inside the body container. The foam material is placed in this container body in contact and at the outside of the flexible bottle. The foam material is connected to a thumb wheel. Before to actuate the valve via a push button, the user must to store energy in the cellular material by actuation of the wheel. The gas contained in the foam material is then put under mechanical pressure and transmits this pressure to the bottle and its contents: by actuating the valve the product can then be distributed.

However, such a device has several drawbacks: this device includes a high number of pieces; these parts require very fine adjustment (no screws, tightness) and are sophisticated, therefore this device is very expensive. The energy storage by mechanical compression of the cellular material is done in small quantities: the user must turn the dial to store the corresponding energy about a dose of use before pressing the push button. The need to this double action makes the device complex and unattractive to the consumer hurry. The bottle in which the product is contained has the shape of a bellows, also, even if it is compressed to the maximum under the action of the cellular material, this bottle cannot not empty completely and you get a low refund rate.

When the user stores energy in the cellular material element in turning the dial, it creates a strong osmotic pressure on both sides of the wall of the bottle. Thus the wall of this bottle, subjected to a back and forth movement by action mechanical of the cellular material, is weakened by too frequent uses. We encounter with this device the same problem of compatibility of the product with the wall of the bottle than in the case where a flexible bag is used to separate a gas from product. In addition, if the user, by mistake, exerts too strong an action on the wheel, it subjects the foam material to burst cells containing the gas and irreversibly damaging the device. Finally, such a device does not not fill the bottle with product, via the valve, by pressurizing the cellular material, because one would also obtain by this mechanical compression a bursting of the cells, the device then no longer being usable.

Also, it is with astonishment that the applicant discovered new devices in which the propellant and the product are separated and which do not do not have the drawbacks of the prior art.

The first object of the invention is a pressurized container comprising a cup, a valve provided with a valve body, a valve control rod surmounted by a push button optionally comprising a diffusion means, a seal and a return system, the cup and the valve body cooperating with each other to form, on the one hand, a reservoir cavity capable of containing a product to be dispensed and an element propellant, on the other hand, a valve cavity, a passage being arranged between the cavity tank and valve cavity.

According to the invention, the cup and the valve body cooperate sealingly with their ends to form the body of the container. For example, the cup and the body of valve include complementary fastening elements, for example means likely to snap or complementary profiles which, once assembled, are welded together by any means known to those skilled in the art, such as, for example, rotational welding or gluing. Hanging elements can also consist of complementary threads, so that one can screw the valve body and the cup tightly onto each other.

In order to achieve this cooperation, one can choose a valve body which has, on its circumference, said hooking elements and a cup comprising a skirt outer, which has, at its end, said hooking elements complementary to those of the valve body, this cooperation defining the body of the can. You can also choose a cup that has, on its circumference, hooking elements and a valve body comprising an outer skirt, which has, at its end, hooking elements complementary to those of the cup. It is also possible to use a cup and a valve body comprising each an outer skirt, the two skirts comprising hooking elements complementary.

According to the invention, the valve body and the cup cooperate with each other to define a valve cavity inside the container. Preferably, the valve body and optionally the cup each comprise an inner skirt. Advantageously, the inner skirts of the valve body and of the cup fit into each other on all or part of their height to delimit the valve cavity. Preferably, the internal diameter of the internal skirt of the cup is substantially equal to the diameter outer of the inner skirt of the valve body.

The upper surface of the inner skirt of the valve body advantageously comes press the seal by pressing it against the edge of the cup, which surrounds the passage valve control rod. The valve is then sealed.

According to the invention, a passage is arranged between the reservoir cavity and the valve cavity. Preferably, the internal skirts of the cup and of the valve body each have at least one notch, these notches being associated with a circular chamfer of one or other of the skirts, along the circumference of the surface of contact between the skirts and possibly a groove over the entire height of the surface of contact between the skirts, all of these cutouts (groove, chamfer, notches) defining said passage of the product, and possibly gas, between the reservoir cavity and the valve cavity.

The containers according to the invention make it possible to distribute all kinds of products: lotions, creams, mousses, milks ... Depending on whether you want to distribute the product under form of a continuous phase (cream, milk), or in discontinuous form (foam, spray), we adapts the container according to the invention so that the gas and the product are separated or, in the second case, mixed in a single tank cavity. In case we want separate the gas from the product, a reservoir cavity consisting of two cavities is provided watertight, one containing the product, the other the gas, the wall separating these two cavities being capable of transmitting the pressure of the gas from one cavity to another. The wall between the two cavities can be rigid, such as a piston, or flexible, such as example a flexible pocket, a bellows or an element of cellular material.

Advantageously, the valve body and the cup are made of material thermoplastic. These two elements can be made of the same material or of two different chemically compatible materials so they can be welded together or two chemically incompatible materials, assembled by screwing, gluing or snapping. Among the materials which can be used in the present invention, may include, for example, the family of polyolefins, such as polypropylene, polyethylene and copolymers of ethylene and propylene, the family of polyacetals, such as polyoxyethylene; polyethylene terephthalate can also be used, polymethyl methacrylate, the polymer used in the invention may contain fillers such as silica, glass fibers, carbon fibers. We may also consider manufacturing these elements from other materials, such as example in metal or glass.

The thickness of the walls of the cup and of the valve holder, and in particular of the skirts, are adapted by a person skilled in the art to resist the pressure of the propellant gas.

The valve control rod can be of any type known to those skilled in the art, like for example an emerging rod, a female rod, whether it is displacement axial or lateral displacement, the latter type of valve also being called 〈〈 tilt 〉〉.

The return means may in a known manner be a spring or any compressible material or elastically deformable that can be accommodated in the valve cavity.

Optionally, the cup may include a circular groove. The existence of this groove allows the use of a standard format push button which is positioned in said groove. In addition, this groove gives more resistance to the cup.

The containers according to the invention are particularly advantageous when they are produced in the form of aerosol containers for sampling from one to a few doses use of a product, because they compensate for an absence of this type of packaging meeting the economic requirements of the market. However, their use is not not limited to the distribution of samples: the containers according to the invention can be produced in formats of all sizes, for which the skilled person knows adapt the nature and thickness of the material to give the container resistance necessary.

The invention also relates to a set of pressurized containers comprising several containers as described above, each container having a cavity in the bottom of its valve body and a complementary cylindrical stud located on the lid of this container. This stud and this cavity allow them to be joined together at at least two containers by fitting the stud of the first in the cavity of the second.

According to one embodiment, the propellant element consists of a material element closed cell alveolar, the cellular material element and the product are placed in the reservoir cavity and subjected to a permanent and uniform pressure, so that the device distributes the product when the valve is actuated.

By uniform pressure is meant that the pressure is identical at all points in the cavity tank at a given time.

A container comprising such an element of cellular material avoids mixing of the gas with the product to be dispensed and avoids gas leaks. Thus, the duration of use of the device is extended. According to nature of the foam material and the size of the element of foam material, the pressure inside the device at the viscosity of the product to be dispensed. Such a container allows to pressurize a product, without risk of product pollution by gas and without air pollution. In addition, this container has only a small number of mechanical parts in common use and its manufacture is simple, so it is little expensive. Its use is simple. The container is not very fragile and does not have any risks of cells bursting due to clumsy use. Finally, the means of compression is retained inside the container after complete return of the product, this container can therefore be reused several times provided that it is refilled with product. A such a container thus makes it possible to save on the cost of packaging and its possible reprocessing.

A usable cellular material consists of a multitude cells filled with gases included in a deformable matrix, such as for example a polyolefin, elastomer or any type of thermoplastic foam, a foam of rubber, Buna, Neoprene, silicone or any other material. The gas can be any gas which is compressible or liquefiable at the pressures of use, like nitrogen or it can just be air.

When the foam is compressed, the cells are also compressed, they thus store a reserve of energy to pressurize the product. When we actuates the valve of the pressurized container, the cells expand and the product is returned.

The gas present in the cells is retained there and cannot escape from it. We thus avoid leakage and mixing problems with the product.

Unlike the container described in document EP-A-561292, the cells of the foam material is never subjected to mechanical pressure, but to hydraulic pressure: inside the container, the element of cellular material is at direct contact with the product which is subjected to the same pressure as the gas. Also the risk of bursting cells is it nonexistent. This element of cellular material can therefore be used a very large number of times.

The element of foam material used as a means of pressurization in containers according to the invention is advantageously of shape complementary to that of the reservoir cavity, and preferably of generally cylindrical shape.

The cellular material element used can be made of known manner by extrusion or by cutting from a block of cellular material closed cells. To cut a cylinder of cellular material, you have to compress before cutting. By this process, after cutting and decompression, an element of cellular material with slightly lateral contours concaves, as described in EP-A-561292. When such an item is placed in a container according to the invention, product is housed between the concavity and the walls of the container. So we get a slightly lower refund rate than we can obtain with a cylinder with perfectly straight contours. In addition, a cylinder of cut foam material has open cells around its edges, while an extruded cylinder does not have one. Therefore we prefer to use a cylinder of cellular material obtained by extrusion.

The containers according to the invention make it possible to distribute all kinds of products under form of solution, emulsion, gel: lotions, creams, self-foaming compositions, milks, gels.

Preferably the element of cellular material is of larger dimensions (height, diameter) to those of the reservoir cavity so that when the cavity is closed tank, we obtain a pre-compression of the element in cellular material so to have more energy available when there is little product left in the container.

In order to better understand the object of the invention, we will describe below, as for example, several containers meeting the characteristics of this invention.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a pressurized container according to the invention. The cutting plane is chosen to visualize the passage between the cavities.

Figures 2 and 3 are views in longitudinal section of aerosol cans according to the invention comprising means of distribution different from that of FIG. 1.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of a pressurized container according to the invention, provided with a female valve.

Figures 5 and 6 are views in longitudinal section of aerosol cans according to the invention, the reservoir cavity of which is divided in two by a piston.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a pressurized container according to the invention whose tank cavity is divided in two by a pocket mounted on a coil.

FIGS. 8A to 8C are views in longitudinal section of a pressurized container according to the invention, the reservoir cavity of which comprises a ring of cellular foam.

For the sake of simplification, the push button has not been shown nor the cover of the containers of FIGS. 5 to 8C.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are views in longitudinal section of an alternative embodiment a pressurized container according to the invention and a set of pressurized containers, according to this variant, assembled. In FIGS. 9A and 9B, the push-buttons are not not shown, in order to facilitate the understanding of these figures.

Figures 10A, 10B, 11A - 11C, 12A - 12C do not show a container according to claim 1.

Figures 10A and 10B show, in longitudinal section, a pressurized container comprising a cylinder of cellular foam material closed as a means of propulsion, this device being provided with a plunger member.

FIGS. 11A and 12A represent a cylinder of cellular material, in cross section, before its introduction into the cavity tank.

Figures 11B, 11C, 12B and 12C show two variants of pressurized container in cross section. Figures 11B and 11C are sections transverse along the plane II-II of the container shown respectively in the figures 10A and 10B.

A pressurized container according to Figure 1, of generally cylindrical shape, consists of a cover 1 snapped onto a dish 3.1. This cup cooperates with the valve body 3.2 to form, on the one hand, an annular cavity 3.3, containing the product 3.7 and the gas propellant 3.8, and on the other hand, the valve cavity 3.9. Inside it is find: an emerging valve control rod 3.4, a gasket 3.5 and a spring 3.6, which, together with the valve body, constitute the valve itself. The emerging stem 3.4 comprises an outlet orifice 3.4.1 and cooperates with a push button 2.

In this figure, the seal 3.5 is an independent part of the cup 3.1, but according to a variant of the invention, the seal may be a part integral with the upper plate 3.1.6 of the cup, made by bi-injection of an elastomeric material during the manufacture of the cup, with the same positioning as the independent seal 3.5.

The push button consists of a nozzle 2.1 and a central channel 2.2 comprising a radial part 2.2.1 and an axial part 2.2.2, the nozzle 2.1 being mounted at the end of the radial part, the emerging rod 3.4 being positioned in the axial part of the channel. The skirt 2.3, external, cylindrical, of the push button 2 is bent and enters a circular groove 3.1.2 of the upper plate 3.1.6 of the cup 3.1.

The cup 3.1 has, among other things, in the center of its upper plate 3.1.6, a orifice 3.1.3, through which the emerging rod 3.4 passes, an outer skirt 3.1.4 and a inner skirt 3.1.5, coaxial, the plate 3.1.6 being substantially oriented perpendicular to these skirts. In addition we can add on the internal face of the skirt 3.1.4 one or more ribs 3.1.4.2 in order to strengthen the holding of the walls 3.1.4 at internal pressure.

The outer skirt 3.1.4 has, in its lower part, a profile 3.1.4.1, here in the form of chamfer, suitable for accommodating an additional profile 3.2.1, also chamfered, coming the valve body 3.2; these two profiles are welded.

The bottom of the valve body 3.2 has a rounded annular profile 3.2.3 and a cavity 3.2.4 cylindrical.

The cavity of the valve 3.9 is advantageously chosen from a height suitable for allow the housing of a standard size 3.6 spring.

The cavity 3.2.4 is complementary to the cavity 3.9 of the valve, it corresponds to the height difference between the cavity 3.3 and the cavity 3.9 of the valve.

In the cylindrical cavity 3.2.4 can come to fit a complementary cylindrical stud located on the cover 1 of a second container according to the invention in order to secure between them at least two containers (see Figures 9A and 9B). Such a possibility of assembly containers according to the invention is particularly judicious, because it facilitates the storage and handling of these containers and allows them to be stored, in luggage for example, occupying a minimum of space and without the risk of dispersing them. The containers may contain the same product or products of different natures

The inner skirt 3.1.5 of the cup has a corresponding internal diameter substantially to that of the joint 3.5 and a height substantially identical to that of the cavity 3.3. The lower surface 3.1.5.4 of the inner skirt of the cup is welded to the bottom of the body valve. This weld gives greater resistance to the entire container, in especially better resistance to gas pressure. This welding can be done by any means known to those skilled in the art, such as for example ultrasonic welding, in the mirror, welding by rotation, gluing. On the inner periphery of the skirt 3.1.5 is located a chamfer 3.1.5.2. A notch 3.1.5.3 is also provided in the internal periphery of the bottom of the skirt 3.1.5; this notch breaks the continuity of the weld between the internal skirt and the valve body.

Profile 3.2.3 is designed so that the bottom of the valve body has a concavity facing the interior of the cavity 3.3. So when there is little product left, this is placed around the internal skirt of the valve body and can be distributed. This profile allows better depletion of the product compared to a container which would be provided of a flat bottom. Such a profile also gives greater resistance to pressure at the entire container.

The valve body 3.2 has on its circumference a profile 3.2.1 complementary to that already described 3.1.4.1; this profile allows the centering of the valve body and the cup during assembly and is welded to part 3.1.4.1 of the cup. According to a variant of container of the invention, the profiles 3.2.1 and 3.1.4.1, respectively of the valve body and of the cup, may have complementary threads, so that the body valve and the cup are screwed one on the other. The two profiles 3.2.1 and 3.1.4.1 can also be designed so that they snap onto each other. The valve body has an inner skirt 3.2.2 whose outer diameter is substantially equal to the internal diameter of the inner skirt 3.1.5 of the cup and these two elements are welded. On the upper edge of this skirt 3.2.2 is placed a rod 3.2.2.1. On the external lateral face of this skirt 3.2.2, over its entire height a groove 3.2.2.2 is provided and on the upper edge of this skirt is located a notch 3.2.2.3. According to a variant of the invention, the groove 3.2.2.2 can also be cut from the inside of the inner skirt of the cup.

To mount the pressurized container described in Figure 1, we first assembled the spring 3.6 around the emerging rod 3.4, then the seal 3.5, in the space defined by the inner skirt of the valve body; then the cup 3.1 is positioned and welded to the valve body 3.2 at the end of skirts. The pressurized container obtained is tight and pressure resistant. In particular the weld between the inner skirt of the cup and the bottom of the valve body and the circular groove on the cup reinforce the resistance of the container.

The pressurized container is then filled through the valve: by pressing on the rod emergent 3.4, hole 3.4.1 emerges from the seal, the product, under pressure, fills the first cavity 3.9 defined by the inner skirt of the valve body, passes through the notch 3.2.2.3, descends along the groove 3.2.2.2 by the chamfer 3.1.5.2 then by notch 3.1.5.3 and fills the cavity 3.3.

The push button and the cover are then mounted on the emerging rod and on the cup respectively.

When the push button is pressed, the product follows the reverse path to that described for filling the container and it is sprayed on passing through the nozzle 2.1. This container is designed for head-up use.

According to a variant of this container, provision can be made for the notch 3.1.5.3 to be placed at the same level as the notch 3.2.2.3., the chamfer 3.1.5.2 also being located at level of the upper edge of the inner skirt of the valve body. According to this variant, we does not foresee a groove 3.2.2.2. in the skirt 3.2.2. internal of the valve body. Such container is used upside down. The container according to Figure 1 is intended for distribution hairspray, hair lotion, perfume.

The container shown in Figure 2 differs from that shown in Figure 1 by the presence of a grid 202.1.1, at the outlet of the radial channel 202.2.1 belonging to the push button 202, in place of the nozzle 2.1 of FIG. 1. This grid is more particularly suitable for the distribution of products in the form of foams (foam shaving or styling).

The container shown in Figure 3 differs from the two previous containers by the absence of diffusion means at the end 302.1.2 of the radial channel 302.2.1 of the push button 302. This container is intended for the delivery of a toothpaste or a Polish.

The two diffusion means of FIGS. 1 and 2 are given by way of example, but we can adapt to the containers of the invention any other known means of distribution of those skilled in the art, such as a porous dome as described in the patent French FR-2713060.

The container shown in Figure 4 has a cup 403.1 and a valve body 403.2, a spring 403.6, a seal 403.5 and a valve control rod 403.4.

For simplicity, the cover is not shown and we simply shown the end of the push button 402, cooperating with the control rod valve. This container differs from those shown in the previous figures: by its valve control rod 403.4 which is of the female type, and in which will come insert the end of the push button 402; by the fact that the throat 403.2.2.2 is cut on the inside of the internal skirt 403.1.5 of the cup and not in the internal skirt 403.2.2 of the valve body. When the user presses the rod 403.4, via push button 402, the end of channel 402.2.2 of the push button 402 pushes valve stem 403.2 down, which breaks the seal between valve stem 403.4 and seal 403.5. The product can then pass from the cavity 403.3 to distribution channel 402.2.2, through channel 403.2.2.2, from the notch 403.2.2.3, of a slot 402.4 made at the end of the push button 402 and the chamfer 403.1.5.2. For the user, the operation of this container is the same as that of the preceding containers.

The container shown in Figure 5 differs from that of Figure 1 by the relative arrangement of the internal skirts of the cup 503.1.5 and of the valve body 503.2.2, by the presence of a piston 505 and a ball filling port 506.

In this container, the internal skirt of the valve body 503.2.2 has a height substantially equivalent to that of the valve cavity 503.8.1 and has a shoulder 503.1.6 on its upper edge, on which rests the lower edge 503.2.4 of the skirt internal 503.1.5 of the cup. A passage is formed between the cavity 503.8, suitable for contain the product, and the valve cavity 503.8.1 by cutting a notch 503.2.2.3 in the internal skirt of the valve body and, opposite this notch, of a notch 503.1.5.3 of a chamfer 503.1.5.2 and a groove 503.2.2.2 in the skirt internal of the cup.

The annular piston 505 separates the reservoir cavity into two cavities: one 503.8 likely to contain the product, the other 503.9 likely to contain the gas. The piston 505 is provided at its ends with means 505.2 and 505.3 of the sealing lip type allowing its waterproof positioning respectively on the external skirt 503.1.4 of the cup and on the internal skirt 503.2.2 of the valve body. This means prevents the gas and the product will not mix. The piston is mobile and can move the along a vertical axis (X-X), passing through the valve control rod, while remaining positioned against the two skirts.

The piston 505 is further provided with a profile 505.1 allowing it to match the walls internal of the upper plate 503.1.6 of the cup, in order to be able to empty the most completely possible the cavity 503.8 when it moves towards the upper part of the container, when in use, under gas pressure.

The ball port 506 consists of a cylindrical port 506.1 and a ball 506.2, of diameter greater than that of the orifice, so that when the ball is forced in in the hole, it seals it tightly. This ball orifice 506 is placed in the bottom 503.2.3 of the valve body.

Before filling the container of FIG. 5, the piston is pressed against the cup. The product is introduced into the cavity 503.8 in the same way as in the container of the Figure 1 (via the valve control rod). Gas is introduced through port 506.1, then the latter is closed by the ball 506.2 which is forced in.

The container shown in Figure 6 differs from that of Figure 1 by the presence an annular piston 605 in the reservoir cavity, which delimits the latter in a cavity produces 603.8 in its lower part and a cavity 603.9 able to contain the gas in its the top part. The arrangement of the piston is opposite to that of Figure 5: the profile 605.1 of the piston is designed to match the internal profile 603.2.3 of the bottom 603.2.3 of the valve body. The ball port 606 is located in the upper part of the cup, so allow gas filling of the cavity 603.9. During assembly, the piston 605 is placed against the bottom 603.2.3 of the valve body, then the product is introduced into the cavity 603.8 via the valve, as in other receptacles and gas tablet is introduced through the ball orifice 606 before it is closed.

The container shown in Figure 7 differs from that of Figure 1 by the presence a deformable pocket 708 fixed to a coil 707, cylindrical, in the reservoir cavity 703.3, with the same axis X-X as the internal skirt of the valve body 703.2.2 and the cup 703.1.5, by the modified arrangement of the skirt 703.1.5 of the cup 703.1 and by the presence of a ball orifice 706 in the valve body.

The skirt 703.1.5 of the cup is of a height less than that of the reservoir cavity 703.3.

The cylindrical coil 707 has an inner diameter in its lower part 707.5 substantially equal to the outside diameter of the internal skirt 703.2.2 of the valve body, of so that the internal skirt of the valve body is placed inside the coil and is in leaktight contact with it over its entire lower part 707.5. On the rest of his height 707.4, the coil has an inside diameter equal to the outside diameter of the internal skirt 703.1.5 of the cup, so that in its upper part 707.4, the coil tightly encloses the internal skirt 703.1.5 of the cup, itself slipped around the skirt 703.2.2 of the valve body.

In its upper and lower parts, the coil 707 has two ranges of annular welds 707.1 and 707.2 respectively. On its outer surface the coil 707 has anti-prisoner grooves 707.4.4. These grooves prevent a part of the product remains blocked in a part of the bag when the latter is empty and presses against the coil.

The pocket 708 consists of 2 parallel sheets 708.1 and 708.2 welded together by an annular weld 708.3, and welded to the coil by the weld pads 707.1 and 707.2. The pocket-coil assembly forms a sealed cavity, in communication with the valve cavity 703.9 via the opening 707.3 and the chamfer 703.1.5.2 of coil 707, of groove 703.2.2.2. cut out over the entire height of the internal skirt 703.1.5 of the cup and notch 703.2.2.3 on the upper edge of the internal skirt of the valve body.

During assembly, the pocket 708 is welded to the coil 707, and the assembly is threaded onto the internal skirt of the cup then the valve body is positioned and welded to the cup.

The valve allows, after assembly of the entire container, to create a vacuum in the pocket 708, then fill it with product. The gas is introduced into the reservoir cavity 703.3 through the ball orifice 706 before closing it.

A pressurized container according to Figures 8A to 8C, of generally cylindrical shape, consists of a cup 840.1 on which can come to fit a cover (not shown). This cup cooperates with the valve body 840.2 to form, on the one hand, an annular reservoir cavity 840.3, containing a product 840.7 and into which a ring of cellular material 840.8 as shown in FIG. 11A has been introduced, and on the other hand, the valve cavity 840.9. Inside it are: an emerging valve control rod 840.4, a seal 840.5 and a spring 840.6, which together with the valve body constitute the valve itself. The emerging rod 840.4 is intended to cooperate with a push button not shown.
The cup 840.1 has, inter alia, in the center of its upper plate 841.1, an orifice 842.1, through which the emerging rod 840.4 passes, an outer skirt 843.1 and an inner skirt 844.1, coaxial, the plate 841.1 being oriented substantially perpendicular to these skirts.

The outer skirt 843.1 has, in its lower part, a profile 845.1, suitable for receive a complementary profile 841.2 coming from the body 840.2 of the valve; these two profiles are welded (figure 8C).

The inner skirt 844.1. of the cup has a corresponding internal diameter substantially to that of the gasket 840.5 and a height substantially identical to that of the cavity 840.3. The bottom surface 846.1 of the inner skirt of the cup is welded at the bottom of the valve body (Figure 8C). On the inner periphery of the skirt 844.1 is located a chamfer 848.1. A notch 847.1 is also provided in the internal perimeter from the bottom of the skirt 844.1; this notch breaks the continuity of the weld between the skirt internal and valve body.

The valve body 840.2 has on its circumference the profile 841.2 complementary to that already described 845.1; this profile allows the centering of the valve body and the cup during assembly and is welded to part 845.1 of the cup. The valve body has an inner skirt 845.2 whose external diameter is substantially equal to the diameter internal of the inner skirt 844.1 of the cup and these two elements are welded. Sure the external lateral face of this skirt 845.2, over its entire height is provided a groove 846.2 and on the upper edge of this skirt is located a notch 848.2.

The assembly of the pressurized container as shown in FIG. 8C is shown on Figures 8A and 8B: we first assembled the spring 840.6 around the rod emerging 840.4, then joint 840.5, in the space defined by the inner skirt of the body valve; then the ring 840.8 and the cup 840.1 are positioned and the cup is welded to the valve body 840.2 at the end of the skirts.

The pressurized container is then filled through the valve: by pressing on the rod emergent 840.4, the product, under pressure, fills the first cavity 840.9 defined by the inner skirt of the valve body, goes through the notch 848.2, goes down along the groove 846.2 by the chamfer 848.1 then by the notch 847.1 and fills the cavity 840.3.

A push button and a cover, not shown, can then be mounted on the emergent stem and on the cup respectively.

When the emerging rod is pressed via the push button, the product follows the reverse path to that described for filling the device.

When injecting the product, the ring is still compressed when the product arrives through the holes 847.1 located at the bottom of the cavity 840.3, the ring is pushed up. he it follows that the container thus formed has a multi-position operation. We can provide vertical anti-prisoner grooves along the internal wall of the skirt outer 843.1 of the cup, these grooves allowing better exhaustion of the product.

In FIGS. 9A and 9B are shown respectively a pressurized container and a set of pressurized containers comprising a first 90a, a second 90b and a third 90c containers in accordance with FIG. 1. Of course, this stack can be made with containers of the other figures. The bottom of the valve body 93.2 of the container has a cavity 93.2.4 in which fits a cylindrical stud 91.1 complementary located on the lid 91 of another container in order to secure between them two containers.

For example, the bottom of the valve body 93.2a, 93.2b of the containers shown in the Figure 9B presents a cavity 93.2.4a, respectively 93.2.4b in which comes fit a cylindrical stud 91.1b, respectively 91.1c complementary located on the cover 91b, 91c of another container in order to secure two containers together.

The container shown in Figures 10A and 11B which does not have the structure according to claim 1 comprises a container body 101 on which can optionally fit a cover (not shown); on the collar of this container is crimped with a valve 102 via a valve holder cup 103; the container body and the cup define a reservoir cavity 101.1; the valve is consisting of a valve body 102.1, a valve control rod 102.2 which crosses the valve body, a gasket 102.3 and a spring 102.4 which presses the stem valve control 102.2 against seal 102.3, the assembly being held in place by the crimping of the valve holder cup 103. A dip tube 107 is fixed to the valve. Before crimping the valve 102 on the container body 101, we introduced into the cavity 101.1, through the opening of the container body 101, a cylinder 105 of Plastazote: matrix in polyolefin and nitrogen.

In FIG. 11A we see the element 125 of cellular material of cylindrical shape having a cylindrical orifice 126 in its center, before its introduction into the cavity device tank.

In FIG. 12A we see an element 135 of cellular material of cylindrical shape, full, which can be used in place of the cylinder 125 in a device according to the invention does not with no plunger.

In FIG. 10A we see the cylinder 105 of closed cell cellular material which has was introduced into the reservoir cavity 101.1 of the container body 101. The external diameter of the cylinder 105 is provided larger than the internal diameter of the container body 101, for obtain a lateral pre-compression of the element in cellular material for the purpose to still have energy available for the last parts of the product. An orifice cylindrical central 106 is provided in the cylinder 105, the dip tube 107 coming from lodge in this opening.

For the elements of figure 10B common with figure 10A we used the reference of Figure 10A increased by 10. For the elements of Figure 11C common with the figure 11B we used the reference of figure 11B increased by 10.

In FIGS. 10B and 11C is shown a container ready to be used: this container differs from that shown in FIGS. 10A and 11B by the fact that a product 119 was introduced by force through the valve 112, which resulted lateral and longitudinal compression of the cylinder of cellular material 115. The compression is of the hydraulic type, that is to say in the three dimensions, on all volume of the cellular material element 115. The internal diameter of the orifice 116 is then slightly increased compared to the diameter of the orifice 106 represented on the Figure 10A. The cylinder of cellular material 115 is therefore free to move along of the dip tube 117 as a function of its relative density with respect to the product. On the stem 112.2 valve control valve is placed a push button 114. By actuation of the push button 114, open valve 112, cylinder 115 expands and expels product 119. When all of the product 119 has been expelled from the device, the latter is found in the configuration shown in Figures 10A and 11B. We can load this again device produces 119 as described above. This saves money on the packaging, and the problem of reprocessing the devices is considerably reduced pressurized, since the same device can be reused a large number of times.

The variant of the container shown in Figures 12A, 12B and 12C which does not have the structure according to claim 1 is distinguishes from the container shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 11A, 11B and 11C by the absence of a dip tube and a central orifice in the cylinder of cellular material. In FIG. 12B we see the cylinder of cellular material 145 which is placed in the container 141, then in FIG. 12C, we see this same cylinder 155 in compression hydraulic in the container 151 into which the product 159 has been introduced.

Claims (41)

1. Pressurized container comprising a dished part (3.1; 403.1), a valve equipped with a valve body (3.2; 403.2), with a valve-control stem (3.4; 403.4) surmounted by a push-button (2; 402), with a seal (3.5; 403.5) and with a return system (3,6; 403.6), the dished part (3.1; 403.1) and the valve body (3.2; 403.2) interacting to form, on the one hand, a reservoir cavity (3.3; 403.3) able to contain a product (3.7) to be dispensed and a propellent element (3.8) and, on the other hand, a valve cavity (3.9), a passage being formed between the reservoir cavity and the valve cavity.
2. Container according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the dished part (3.1) and the valve body (3.2) interact in a leaktight manner by means of complementary fastening elements (3.2.1; 3.1.4.1).
3. Container according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the constituents out of the valve body (3.2) and the dished part (3.1) includes a skirt (3.1.4) equipped at its end with first fastening elements (3.1.4.1), and that the other constituent comprises second fastening elements (3.2.1) which complement the first ones.
4. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dished part (3.1) comprises an outer skirt (3.1.4) which, at its end, has fastening elements (3.1.4.2); and that the valve body (3.2) on its circumference has fastening elements (3.2.1) which complement those of the dished part.
5. Container according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the fastening elements (3.2.1; 3.1.4.1) of the dished part and those of the valve body are welded together.
6. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve body (3.2) and the dished part (3.1) each comprise an inner skirt (3.2.2; 3.1.5), the inside diameter of the inner skirt of the dished part being substantially equal to the outside diameter of the inner skirt of the valve body.
7. Container according to the preceding Claim 6, characterized in that the lower surface (3.1.5.4) of the inner skirt (3.1.5) of the dished part (3.1) is welded to the bottom of the valve body.
8. Container according to either of Claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the inner skirt of the valve body (503.1.5) has a height substantially equivalent to that of the valve cavity.
9. Container according to any one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the inner skirt of the valve body (503.1.5) has a shoulder (503.1.6) on its upper edge, against which the lower edge (503.2.4) of the internal skirt (503.1.5) of the dished part comes to rest.
10. Container according to any one of Claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the inner skirts (3.1.5; 3.2.2) of the dished part and of the valve body each include at least one notch (3.1.5.3; 3.2.2.3), these notches being associated with a circular chamfer (3.1.5.2) of one or other of the skirts, along the perimeter of the contacting surface of the skirts, all of these notches and the chamfer defining the passage for the product (3.7), and possibly the gas (3.8), between the reservoir cavity (3.3) and the valve cavity (3.9).
11. Container according to the preceding Claim 10, characterized in that the notch (3.1.5.3) in the internal skirt of the dished part is placed at the same level as the notch (3.2.2.3) in the internal skirt of the valve body, the chamfer (3.1.5.2) also being situated at the level of the upper edge of the inner skirt of the valve body for head-down operation.
12. Container according to Claim 10, characterized in that at least one of the inner skirts of the dished part and of the valve body includes at least one groove (3.2.2.2) along the entire height of the contacting surface of the skirts, all of the notches, the chamfer and the groove defining the passage of the product, and possibly the gas, between the reservoir cavity (3.3) and the valve cavity (3.9).
13. Container according to the preceding Claim 12, characterized in that the notch (3.1.5.3) of the internal skirt (3.1.5) of the dished part is situated at the bottom of this skirt for head-up operation.
14. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes a ball-type filler orifice (506).
15. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a gas constituting the propellent element and the product are separate.
16. Container according to the preceding Claim 15, characterized in that it includes a ball-type filler orifice (506) allowing the container to be filled with gas.
17. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reservoir cavity consists of two sealed cavities, one (503.8; 603.8) containing the product, and the other (503.9; 603.9) a gas constituting the propellent element, a rigid wall (505; 605) or flexible wall (708; 810) separating these two cavities, the said wall being capable of transmitting the pressure of the gas from one cavity to the other.
18. Container according to the preceding Claim 17, characterized in that the wall is chosen from: a piston (505, 605), a bag (708), an element made of closed-cell cellular material (810).
19. Container according to either one of Claims 17 and 18, characterized in that the wall is rigid (505, 605) and includes a profile (505.1, 605.1) allowing it to match the internal wall of the upper plate (503.1.6) of the dished part or the internal profile (603.2.3) of the bottom of the valve body.
20. Container according to Claim 17, comprising a flexible wall and anti-trapping channels.
21. Container according to any one of Claims 17 to 20, characterized in that it comprises a bag (708) fixed to a cylindrical spool (707) with the same axis as the internal skirt of the valve body and of the dished part.
22. Container according to any one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the gas (3.8) and the product (3.7) are mixed in a single reservoir cavity (3.3).
23. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve body and the dished part are made of thermoplastic.
24. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve body and the dished part consist of the same material.
25. Container according to any one of Claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the valve body and the dished part consist of two chemically compatible different materials.
26. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve body and the dished part are assembled by welding, bonding, screwing or snap-fitting.
27. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper plate (3.1.6) of the dished part (3.1) comprises a circular channel (3.1.2).
28. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the push-button (2) includes a diffusing means (2.1; 202.1.1).
29. Container according to Claim 28, characterized in that the diffusing means is chosen from: a nozzle (2.1), a mesh (202.1.1), and a porous dome.
30. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom of the valve body (3.2) has a rounded annular profile (3.2.3), the concave side of which points towards the inside of the reservoir cavity (3.3).
31. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume of the reservoir cavity ranges from 3.5 ml to 8 ml.
32. Set of pressurized containers including at least a first container (90a) and a second container (90b) which are in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 31, characterized in that the bottom of the valve body (3.2; 93.2; 93.2a, 93.2b, 93.2c) at least of the first container has a cavity (3.2.4; 93.2.4; 93.2.4a; 93.2.4b; 93.2.4c) into which there fits a complementary cylindrical stud (91.1; 91.1a; 91.1b; 91.1c) situated on the cap (91; 91a; 91b; 91c) of the second container so as to secure at least the two containers together.
33. Container according to Claim 1, characterized in that the propellent element consists of an element made of closed-cell cellular material, the element made of cellular material and the product being placed in the reservoir cavity and subjected to a permanent and uniform pressure so that the device dispenses the product when the valve is actuated.
34. Container according to Claim 33, characterized in that the cellular material (105; 115; 135; 145; 155; 840.8) is chosen from a foam made of polyolefin, elastomer, thermoplastic, a foam made of rubber, of Buna, of neoprene,and of silicone.
35. Container according to Claim 33 or 34, characterized in that the element (105; 115; 135; 145; 155; 840.8) made of cellular material is of a shape which complements that of the reservoir cavity.
36. Container according to any one of Claims 33 to 35, characterized in that the element (105; 115; 135; 145; 155; 840.8) made of cellular material is of cylindrical overall shape.
37. Container according to any one of Claims 33 to 36, characterized in that the element made of cellular material has a central orifice.
38. Container according to any one of Claims 33 to 37, characterized in that the element made of cellular material is obtained by extrusion.
39. Container according to any one of Claims 33 to 38, characterized in that the element (105; 115; 135; 145; 155; 840.8) made of cellular material has dimensions larger than those of the reservoir cavity of the device, before its introduction into the reservoir cavity.
40. Container according to any one of Claims 33 to 39, characterized in that the product is chosen from any type of solution, emulsion, or gel.
41. Container according to any one of Claims 33 to 40, characterized in that the product is chosen from: lotions, creams, self-foaming compositions, milks, gels.

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