EP0960828B1 - Valve actuator element, valve comprising of such element and dispensing system comprising of such valve - Google Patents

Description

The subject of the invention is a valve activation member intended to be mounted inside a valve body, a valve equipped with this member, as well as a packaging and distribution unit for a fluid product provided with said valve.

Advantageously, this packaging and dispensing assembly is of the type which includes a pressurized reservoir, for example using a propellant gas, having two valves: a dispensing valve for dispensing the product, and a inlet valve for filling the reservoir, or, in particular, for recharging the latter, when its contents have been exhausted. The packaging assembly of the invention is particularly suitable for the distribution of cosmetic or dermatological products, in the form of a liquid jet, foam, gel or cream.

Generally, the valves used to equip a tank of pressurized product are produced according to a fairly universal model. Such conventional valves, described for example in documents FR-A-2 064 449 or US-A-3 862741, in most cases include a valve body in which is disposed an actuating valve stem, in support against an elastic return means, the actuation of this rod making it possible to establish communication at will between the reservoir and a dispensing means, such as a push button, in order to distribute a dose of product . Usually, this type of valve comprises a closure member, generally in the form of a seal, for example an elastomer washer, surrounding the valve stem and closing, in the rod's rest position, a dispensing passage practiced. in this rod. During actuation, by sliding the rod in the shutter member, this dispensing passage is cleared and returns after dispensing in the closed position, under the action of the return means. Conventionally, the elastomer washer is immobilized on an open end of the valve body, located on the upper part of the valve body, and held by means of a cup, generally metallic, this cup being fixed to the valve body by crimping or swaging. By this assembly, the seal is sandwiched, by clamping, between the free edge of the valve body and said cup. Thus, the seal provides a seal both between the inside and the outside of the valve body, and between the inside of the valve body and the outer wall of the actuating rod. In addition, a second seal is necessary to fix the cup to the tank.

Also, it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a new valve, of simplified construction and mounting, without metal cup, the use of which would require crimping. The invention proposes in particular a valve activating member, which selectively allows opening and closing of the latter, and comprising a device, simple to implement, to allow the shutter member to be immobilized at inside the valve body. The invention achieves this by a valve activation member advantageously comprising an annular element, intended to be fixed to the inner wall of the valve body, during the assembly of the valve, this annular element coming to bear on a part of the shutter member, in order to ensure that the latter is held firmly in place.

Thus, the invention makes it possible to reduce the number of parts constituting the valve and to save on the crimping cup, which according to the embodiment of the cited prior art, serves inter alia, for fixing said obturation member. The invention also makes it possible, from an industrial point of view, to simplify the assembly of the valve itself, and also to simplify the mounting of the valve on the product reservoir. Thus, high production rates can be guaranteed.

Another object of the invention consists in producing a distribution assembly for a pressurized fluid product, in particular of small size, equipped with two valves, a first for the distribution of the product called "distribution valve", a second for the filling of the reservoir called "intake valve", presenting an economically acceptable cost.

The invention relates, in particular, to the simplification of construction of such a dispensing assembly which is rechargeable, with two valves, and of which, above all, the assembly is simplified, at least one of the two valves comprising a fixing system for the shutter member as indicated above.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a dispensing assembly, in particular of small size, which can be used for a precise single-dose dosage of product at each use, and this, especially in the field of pharmacy and dermatology.

Admittedly, there are refillable aerosol type devices, consisting of a reduced-size reservoir, surmounted by a distribution valve, and at the bottom of which, an intake valve has been added for recharging the can. These aerosols are refillable from another pressurized distributor of larger volume.

For refillable aerosols of this type, by way of example, mention may be made of German patent DE-A-1,166,225 describing a reduced-size reservoir equipped with two valves, one of which is intended for the distribution of the product , the other being intended for recharging.

Similarly, patent FR-A-1 228 733 describes a refillable aerosol can, in which filling or refilling is carried out by means of an auxiliary can, by the same valve as that used for dispensing the product. However, this device requires removing the push button before recharging, which can sometimes be difficult, and, after multiple recharging operations, weakening the mounting of the push button on the refillable container. In addition, during this recharging operation, the push button, often small, may be lost.

Also, one of the objects of the present invention aims to simplify the structure of a rechargeable dispensing assembly, with two valves, and of which, above all, the assembly is simplified.

Other objects of the invention will appear in detail in the description which follows.

According to the invention, one of these objects is achieved by means of a valve activation member, intended to be mounted inside a valve body, this activation member comprising means opening and closing, able to cooperate with a valve closure member, in a first position, to put the inside of the valve body in communication with the outside and, in a second position, to prevent any communication between the inside of the valve body and the outside, and a fixing element, capable of holding the valve closure member in position inside the valve body, said fixing element being connected to the means of '' opening and closing by at least one breakable portion, capable of breaking during assembly of the activation member in the valve body, to allow the fastening element to come into engagement with the closure member , and keep it in position inside the valve body.

This arrangement makes it possible, significantly, to reduce the assembly costs of the valve, compared to a conventional valve, in particular by simplifying the assembly of the closure member in a valve body. In addition, it makes it possible to improve the operation of the valve, in particular by a precise immobilization of said closure member inside the valve body.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the opening and closing element is of the male type, and advantageously consists of a rod, comprising an axial channel comprising an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice .

According to a second embodiment, said opening and closing element is of the female type, and advantageously consists of a cup, capable of receiving a male member of a valve actuating element. In this case, advantageously, this male member is part of a larger volume refill tank.

According to a preferred embodiment, the fixing element consists of an annular element, presented for example in the form of a tube or a ring, said opening and closing element being disposed substantially in the axis longitudinal of said annular element, and connected to this annular element by a plurality of breakable portions, arranged radially all around the opening and closing element. These portions are advantageously broken during assembly of the valve. Thus, the annular element is a fixing means for immobilizing said closure means inside the valve body.

Preferably, the closure means consist of a washer made of an elastomeric material. This washer can be obtained by simple stamping in an appropriate elastomeric plate.

Another object of the invention is constituted by a distribution and admission valve for the distribution under pressure of a fluid product, comprising a valve body inside which is mounted an activation member, as defined previously, said opening and closing element being, in the absence of actuation control, biased in said second position by elastic return means arranged inside the valve body.

Yet another object of the invention is constituted by an assembly for the packaging and the distribution under pressure of a fluid product, comprising a container forming a reservoir for the product, equipped with a valve, as defined above, said valve being surmounted by an actuating means, such as a push button equipped with a dispensing nozzle.

The valve which has just been defined is particularly suitable for forming part of an assembly for the packaging and distribution under pressure of a fluid product comprising a reservoir of pressurized product, on which are mounted a distribution valve and a valve d intake, said intake valve being oriented opposite to the distribution valve, and substantially in alignment with the latter, actuation and distribution means being associated with at least one of said distribution valves or admission, each of the valves comprising an activation member, comprising means for, in response to a command, selectively allowing the opening and closing of said valves, elastic return means being provided for, in the absence of a command, request the opening and closing means in the closed position. In this case, said distribution and intake valves are mounted inside the same body in communication with the reservoir, and are biased in the closed position by the same elastic return means, the activation member of at least one of said valves being as defined above.

Thus, it is possible to produce a distribution assembly with two valves with independent actuation, the mounting of which is easy to carry out from an industrial point of view, and of an advantageous cost price.

According to the aforementioned first embodiment, the means for opening and closing the dispensing valve and / or the intake valve may consist of an emerging valve stem, of the type with lateral tilting, or with depression. A lateral tilting rod being a rod mounted so as to be able to tilt out of its axis, so as to put in communication a passage formed in the vicinity of its lower end, with the valve body on which it is mounted. In the case of a push-in valve stem, the passage is brought into communication by pushing the stem into the valve body, along the axis of the stem.

Alternatively, according to the second embodiment mentioned above, the means for opening and closing the dispensing valve and / or the intake valve consist of an activating member of the female type capable of receiving removably, a control rod. This control rod can be an integral part of an actuation device of the push button type, or be made up of the valve stem emerging from an auxiliary container used to reload the dispensing assembly. This characteristic, in particular for the intake valve intended for refilling the container, constitutes a possible solution to the problem of accidental actuation of the filling valve.

The dispensing assembly advantageously comprises a push button mounted on the dispensing valve, for actuation of the valve and dispensing of the product, the intake valve being intended for filling or refilling the tank. Advantageously, the push-button comprises a diffusion means, of the grid type, porous dome, or a spray nozzle.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the dispensing assembly comprises a body and a bottom, the body forming a valve holder cup for the dispensing valve, the bottom forming a valve holder cup for the inlet valve, the body of the assembly cooperating with the bottom to form, on the one hand the pressurized product reservoir, and on the other hand the common valve body for the distribution valve and the intake valve. This configuration is particularly advantageous, in that it contributes to limiting even more significantly the size of the assembly and the number of parts used in such a distribution assembly, thus also reducing its manufacturing cost. Furthermore, the mounting of such a distribution assembly is very simple.

The dispensing valve may comprise a first valve stem, a first end of which opens out inside the valve body, a second end opening out of the valve body, the inlet valve comprising a second valve stem of which a first end opens into the interior of the valve body, substantially opposite the first end of the first valve stem, a second end opening to the outside of the valve body, the elastic return means being constituted by a return spring, bearing between said first ends of said first and second valve stems.

The first end of the second valve stem advantageously has a substantially flat portion, one face of which is situated opposite the bottom of the valve body, the intake valve being held in the closed position by an elastic support between a sealing ring. formed on said face and a seal crossed by the second valve stem and disposed in the bottom of the valve body, said seal being maintained, in accordance with the invention, in tight axial contact, with the bottom of the valve body by a breakable element as defined above.

The body of the distribution assembly can be tightly mounted on the bottom by welding, snap-fastening, screwing, gluing or any other suitable means.

The body may consist of a transverse wall, forming a valve-holder cup for the distribution valve, a first lateral skirt delimiting an external contour for the reservoir, and a first central chimney of given internal diameter, and delimiting an internal contour for the tank, the bottom having a transverse wall, forming a valve-holder cup for the intake valve, a second lateral skirt cooperating with the first for attaching the bottom to the body, and a second central chimney forming valve body, said second central chimney having an external diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the first central chimney, means being provided to allow communication between the reservoir and the valve body.

The transverse wall of the body has, according to a preferred embodiment, outside the distribution assembly, an annular groove between the first lateral skirt and the first central chimney so as to receive a free edge of said distribution means.

The first and second central chimneys are preferably of substantially identical height, said first central chimney having a free edge fixed to the transverse wall of the bottom.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the bottom has a recess in which the intake valve stem emerges, said recess having a height, along the longitudinal axis of the distribution assembly, greater than the height of the emerging part of this intake valve stem.

The bottom may have, between the second side skirt and the second central chimney, a rounded annular profile, the concavity of which faces the interior of the tank. This characteristic contributes to substantially improving the degree of emptying of the tank.

Advantageously also, the first end of the dispensing valve stem forms an axial stop so as to limit the movement of the intake valve stem during the opening of the intake valve for filling or refilling of the tank.

The end of the intake valve stem, opening to the outside of the distribution assembly, is preferably of a shape adapted to cooperate with a free end of a valve stem of a pressurized auxiliary container constituting a nurse tank, for recharging the assembly. By way of example, said end of the intake valve stem has a frustoconical profile.

In certain cases, the product can be pressurized by means of a liquefiable gas which is soluble, at least partially, in the product for application in the form of a spray. For other products, pressurization can be carried out by means of a closed cell cellular material organ, by means of a non-liquefiable gas, or by means of a pressurized gas separated from the product by a flexible element or rigid, type, piston, pocket, etc.

• la figure 1a représente un mode de réalisation d'un ensemble de distribution rechargeable conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 1b représente l'ensemble de distribution de la figure 1, en cours de recharge sur un réservoir-nourrice ;
• la figure 1c représente l'ensemble de distribution de la figure 1, en cours de remplissage ;
• la figure 2 représente un organe d'activation de valve de type mâle, conforme à un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention, tel que montée dans l'ensemble de distribution représenté sur les figures 1a - 1c ;
• les figures 3A et 3B illustrent, de façon schématique, le montage de la tige de valve de la figure 2 dans un corps de valve ;
• les figures 4A et 4B illustrent, de façon schématique, le montage d'une tige de valve d'admission dans un ensemble de distribution, selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 5 représente un organe d'activation de type femelle, selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention, représenté schématiquement en appui sur un organe d'obturation.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, of a certain number of other arrangements which will be explained below, with reference to nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, described with reference to the appended figures, among which:

• Figure 1a shows an embodiment of a rechargeable dispensing assembly according to the invention;
• Figure 1b shows the distribution assembly of Figure 1, being recharged on a nurse tank;
• Figure 1c shows the distribution assembly of Figure 1, during filling;
• 2 shows a male type valve activation member according to a first embodiment of the invention, as mounted in the distribution assembly shown in Figures 1a - 1c;
• Figures 3A and 3B schematically illustrate the mounting of the valve stem of Figure 2 in a valve body;
• FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate, diagrammatically, the mounting of an intake valve stem in a distribution assembly, according to another embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 5 represents an activating member of the female type, according to another embodiment of the invention, represented diagrammatically by bearing on a shutter member.

A pressurized container (1) illustrated in FIGS. 1a to 1c, of generally cylindrical shape, of longitudinal axis X, consists of a body 2 having a transverse wall 3 forming a valve-carrying cup for a dispensing valve 4. The body comprises a peripheral lateral skirt 5 delimiting the external contour of the reservoir 6 containing a pressurized product P, and forms an axial skirt 7 delimiting the internal contour of the reservoir 6. The body 2 has an annular recess 47, so as to receive, by snapping for example, a removable cap (not shown). The tank also comprises a bottom 8 consisting of a transverse wall 9, and a side skirt 9a comprising an external profile, able to cooperate with the internal profile of the lower part of the skirt 5, in order to ensure a tight mounting of the body 2 on the bottom 8. This mounting can be carried out by any suitable technique. For example, the body 2 can be welded (ultrasound, mirror, welding by rotation), screwed, or slammed on the bottom 8. The bottom forms a valve holder cup for an inlet valve 13. Advantageously, thus as it appears in the drawing, the bottom has a concavity 46 facing the inside of the tank. This concavity allows better emptying of the tank and gives greater resistance to pressure to the distribution assembly 1.

The bottom 8 is connected to a central chimney 10, of external diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the axial skirt 7, so that it can be mounted inside the axial skirt 7 and form a valve body 11 common to the inlet valve 13 and to the distribution valve 4, which will be discussed in more detail later. As shown in the drawing, the valve body 11 is delimited by the central chimney 10, the transverse wall 3 of the body, and a part 12 of the bottom 8, forming an axial recess 14 relative to the bottom 8. The recess is slightly higher than the height of the emerging part of a valve stem 15, constituting, according to a first embodiment of the invention, an activation member, of the male type, of the intake valve 13 , so as to prevent any accidental actuation thereof.

The heights of the axial skirt 7 and the chimney 10 are substantially identical, so that the free edge of the skirt 7 ends substantially in the vicinity of the inner wall of the bottom.

On the internal periphery of the skirt 7 is disposed a chamfer 16. An orifice 17 is formed in the lower part of the skirt 7 and opens onto an axial groove (or groove) 18, formed for example over the entire height of the internal surface of the axial skirt 7. The groove 18 opens at the top of the container onto an orifice 19 passing through the axial skirt 10. This arrangement allows the tank 6 to communicate with the inside of the valve body 11. Such a container is used head above, and is particularly suitable for dispensing hairspray, hair lotion, or perfume.

As already mentioned, the distribution assembly according to the invention comprises, inside the same valve body 11, the two distribution 4 and intake valves 13. The distribution valve 4 comprises a valve stem 20 , centered on the X axis, and comprising an emerging part 28 outside the reservoir 6, through an orifice 3a formed in the transverse wall 3. On the emerging part 28 of the valve stem 20 is mounted a button- pusher 21 provided with a dispensing orifice 38. Advantageously, the transverse wall defines an annular recess 22 between the side skirt 5 and the axial skirt 7, so as to receive the free annular edge 53 of the push button. The depth of the groove 22 is chosen so as to allow the push button an axial stroke sufficient for the actuation of the valve stem 20, and to camouflage, if necessary, the lower part of the push button.

The sealing of the valve assembly 4 is ensured by means of an elastomer gasket 23, of external diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the axial skirt 7, and held in abutment against the transverse wall 3 by the edge. upper annular of the central chimney 10. The valve stem 20 is provided with at least one radial passage 24, opening onto an internal axial distribution channel 25. One end of the valve stem 20, opening into the interior of the valve body 11, has a shoulder 26, one face of which bears on the seal 23, by means of a sealing ring 40, re-entering, in the rest position of the valve, in said seal 23. The other face of the shoulder 26 forms a bearing surface for a first end 27a of a helical spring 27 whose force reminder keeps the shoulder 26 in abutment against the seal 23. In this position, the radial passage 24 is opposite the seal, which ensures a sealed closure of the distribution channel 25.

The rod 15 of the inlet valve 13, mounted inside the valve body 11 and oriented opposite the valve rod 20 and located in the axis X of the container 1, has an emerging part 29 in outside the reservoir 6, through an orifice 12a formed in the part 12 of the bottom 8. The valve stem 15 is provided with at least one radial passage 35, opening onto an internal axial suction channel 45. A first end of the valve stem 30, opening into the interior of the valve body 11, has a shoulder 32, one face of which is in elastic abutment on the seal 31, by means of a sealing ring 33 , returning, in the valve rest position, into said seal 31.

According to the invention, the seal 31 is held on the bottom 12 by a fixing tube 60, forced into the valve body 11 and the lower end of which bears against the upper face of said seal. seal. The other face of the shoulder 32 forms a bearing surface for the second end 27b of the helical spring 27. It is understood that the fixing tube 60 can be held in place by any other means, for example by snapping, bonding or welding. In the rest position of the valve 13, the radial passage 35 faces the seal, which ensures a tight closure of the suction channel 45.

To this end, the valve stem 15 is mounted clamped in the central orifice of the seal 31. Thus, by actuating the valve stem 15, by an axial depression in the valve body, the radial passage 35 is cleared and allows the passage of product, while maintaining a seal between the seal and the valve stem. By releasing the pressure on the valve stem 15, the seal 31 closes the radial passage 35, the seal being completed by the presence of the sealing ring 32 bearing on the seal 31.

This fixing arrangement of the seal 31 allows perfect immobilization of the latter, which gives the valve impeccable operation upon actuation.

The valve stem 15 has a second end 29 opening to the outside of the container in the recess 14, through an orifice 12a formed in the part 12 of the bottom. Thus mounted, the spring 27 holds, on the one hand the sealing ring 40 of the distribution valve 4 against the seal 23, and on the other hand the sealing ring 33 of the intake valve 13 resting on the seal 31.

The shoulder 26 of the dispensing valve stem 20, located inside the valve body 11 is extended by an axial part 37 forming a stop for the first end 30 of the valve stem 15, so as to limit its stroke. , when it is pressed axially, or else to limit the stroke of the valve stem 20 when it is actuated. It should be noted that the first end of the valve stem 15 has a cup surface 30a (FIG. 2) capable of receiving the free end of the axial part 37 of the dispensing valve stem 20, so as to effect a centering of the two valve stems 15, 20 when one is in contact with the other.

This produces a structure with two valves 4 and 15 contained in the same valve body 11, and biased in the closed position by the same elastic means 27. Means other than a spring could be used. The two valves are independently operated.

Thus, the distribution of the product is ensured by action on the push button 21, which causes the depression of the valve stem 20, and the communication of the radial passage 24 with the valve body. The pressurized product contained in the valve body 11 rises in the internal channel 25 of the valve stem, and is conveyed to the outlet 38 of the push button 21 via a distribution channel. By releasing the pressure exerted on the push button 21, the return force of the spring 27 biases the portion 26 bearing on the seal 23, and the orifice 24 facing the seal 23, thereby interrupting the distribution of the product P.

When the content of the reservoir 6 is exhausted, the user recharges the latter by means of a pressurized container 41 (see FIGS. 1b and 1c), which constitutes a reservoir-nurse, at the top of which is crimped a valve 42. This valve has an emerging male valve stem 43, having an internal channel 44 of diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the end of the emerging stem 15 of the intake valve. Preferably, the free end of the rod 15 comprises a frustoconical profile, so as to promote the tight cooperation between the two valve rods 15 and 43. Thus, to reload the assembly 1, the valve rod 15 is applied. the assembly 1 on the free end of the valve stem 43 of the reservoir-nurse 41 (FIG. 1b). By exerting an axial pressure on the rechargeable assembly 1, in the direction of arrow F (FIG. 1b), the axial actuation of the valve stem 15 is caused, which brings the passage 35, 45 into communication with inside the valve body 11. The portion 30 abuts against the portion 37 of the valve stem 20. By increasing the pressure on the assembly 1 (see FIG. 1c), the movement is transmitted to the valve stem 43 of the nurse reservoir 41, which causes the sinking of the rod 43, and the opening of the valve 42. The product P under pressure contained in the nurse reservoir 41 rises in the channel 44 and is transferred into the channel internal 45 of the valve stem 15, then routed into the reservoir 6, via the passage 35, the interior of the valve body, the orifice 19, the groove 18 and the lower orifice 17. The transfer continues until that the pressure balance is reached between the reservoir-nurse 41 and the assembly 1. The assembly 1 thus recharged can be used again, under the conditions described above.

Advantageously, the two parts constituting the body 2 are made of a thermoplastic material, using the same material or two different materials, physico-chemically compatible, so that they can be welded together. Among the materials which can be used in the present invention, there may be mentioned, 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, polymethyl methacrylate can also be used. advantageously, for reasons of impermeability and compatibility with the product P, polybutylene terephthalate is used.

In the embodiment which has just been described, the product is pressurized by means of a liquefiable gas, a compressed gas or a piston mounted on an elastically compressible means.

According to another embodiment, the pressurization of the product in the reservoir is ensured by means of a block of closed-cell alveolar foam, in the form of a ring arranged, before mounting the bottom on the body, around the skirt axial 7. When filling with product, the foam ring, preferably split over its entire height, compresses in a multi-directional manner, which ensures the pressurization of the product P in the tank. By way of example, a plastazote (polyolefin foam and gas consisting of nitrogen) is used, or a rubber foam, for example of the nitrile (BUNA) or neoprene type, or of silicone, etc. The gas can be any compressible or liquefiable gas at working pressures, or may be simply compressed air. All of these pressurization means which can be used according to the invention are described in detail in French patent application FR-A-2 741 048, filed in the name of the applicant.

FIG. 2 shows, according to the aforementioned first embodiment, an enlarged view of the activating member 15, of the male type, of the valve, presented in the form of an emerging rod, before its mounting in the valve body 11. It can be seen that this valve stem 15 has a shoulder 32, as mentioned previously, during the description of FIGS. 1a - 1c. According to the invention, at the periphery of this shoulder, a plurality of fins 70 extend radially outward, distributed regularly over this periphery. The outer end of each fin 70 is connected to the base 61 of the cylindrical fixing tube 60. It should be noted that, according to an important aspect of the invention, the fins are arranged so that the base 61 of the tube is at a height δ relative to the bottom of the shoulder 32. The outside diameter of the tube 60 corresponds substantially to the internal diameter of the valve body 11 to allow the attachment of said tubing inside the valve body (see Figures 3a and 3b), for example by radial tightening or by gluing. The fins 70 are dimensioned so that they are frangible when an axial movement is exerted on the tube 60, relative to the shoulder 32.

FIGS. 3a and 3b, as well as FIGS. 4a and 4b schematically illustrate the positioning, in accordance with the invention, of the valve stem 15 in the valve body 11. In these figures, it can be seen that the gasket seal 31 is placed on the bottom 12 of the valve body 11. The valve stem 15, as shown in FIG. 2, is then introduced into the valve body and put in place by an axial translation caused by a mounting tool designated as a whole by the reference 101.

The mounting tool 101 comprises a cylindrical portion 102 of external diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the valve body 11 and capable of coming to bear on the upper edge of the tube 60. The end portion of the cylindrical portion 102 is provided with 'an annular rim 103 defining an opening 104. This opening is crossed by a rod 105 having a radial extension 106, held in elastic support on said rim 103 by a helical spring 107. The rod 105 has a first free end 108 adapted to come resting on the cup surface 30a of the rod 15. The cylindrical portion 102 comprises a portion 109 of larger diameter, defining a shoulder 110. On this shoulder bears a push rod 111, so as to hold the spring 107 in place and to allow axial mobility of the rod 105 against the restoring force of the spring 107. For this purpose, a recess 112 is provided receiving, in flow issement, the second end 113 of the rod 105.

To mount the rod 15 in the valve body 11, the seal 31, consisting of an elastomer washer, is arranged around the rod, facing the radial passages 35. The assembly thus formed is then inserted into the open end of the valve body 11. Using the tool assembly 101 which has just been described, the rod 15 is lowered, by pressing with the end 108 of the rod 105 on the surface 30a of the valve rod 15. In this way, at the end of the stroke, the washer 31 is placed on the bottom 12. In this position, the lower edge of the tube 60 is at a distance δ from the washer 31.

At this mounting step, continuing to press, the pusher 111 puts in axial translation the cylindrical portion 102, which, in turn, rests on the upper end 62 of the tube 60 and pushes the latter towards the bottom 12. During this operation, the rod 105 moves back a distance δ, and the spring 107 is compressed. During this movement, the fins 70 are broken. After the fins 70 have broken, the lower end 61 of the tube 60 is placed on the washer 31 and keeps the latter in place by clamping against the bottom of the valve, as shown in FIG. 3b. The mounting tool 101 is removed at the end of the operation.

FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate the mounting of another embodiment of a distribution assembly 201. This assembly differs from the assembly illustrated in FIGS. 1a-1c by the mounting of a distribution valve 204 actuable by lateral tilting of a rod 220. This rod 220 has an axial distribution channel 25 opening into a radial passage 224. The free end of the rod 220 opening into the tank 6 carries a circular plate 226 whose periphery is has the form of a cylindrical sealing skirt 227. Under the action of the spring 27, the free edge of the sealing skirt 227 comes into sealing contact against the seal 23 (FIG. 4b).

As illustrated in FIG. 4a, a valve rod 15 provided with a seal 31 and a helical spring 27 is placed, in a first step, in a valve body 11, formed in the central chimney 10 d 'a bottom 8. This mounting is carried out similarly to the mounting described above, in particular as regards the fixing of the seal 31 by the tube 60. In the next step, the body 2 is assembled on the bottom 8, by example by gluing or welding, the body 2 being pre-equipped with the valve stem 220, held in the axial skirt 7 of the body by the corresponding seal 23. In the assembled position (see FIG. 4b), the free end of the chimney 10 comes to block the seal 23 of the distribution valve 204 against the transverse wall 3 body 2.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of an activating member 115 of the female type valve. In this figure, the parts similar to those of Figure 2 or playing a similar role, have the same reference numbers. Compared to the valve stem 15 of Figure 2, the activation member 115 does not have an emerging stem and is in the form of a cup. A first end 30 of the activation member 115, carried by the shoulder 32, is extended relative to the corresponding end of FIG. 2, and has a free surface 30a, capable of limiting the stroke of the member activation 115. As in the case of the embodiment in FIG. 2, the shoulder 32 is provided with an annular ring 33 able to bear under the effect of a return spring (not shown) on a annular seal 32. The central opening of this seal 32 is dimensioned so that a valve stem 43, forming part of a refill container, can be engaged in sealing in order to cause, by axial support, the opening simultaneous admission valve, pushing the activation member 115 and the refill tank valve. In order to convey the product contained in the refill container, the free end of the rod 43 is provided with several slots 43a.

In FIG. 5, the tube 60 intended for fixing the seal 32 in the valve body, is shown in its original state, that is to say it is integral with the shoulder 32 by means of a plurality of separable fins 70. The establishment of the tubing 60 in the valve body, the rupture of the fins 70 and the immobilization of the seal 32 are carried out in a similar manner to the manner described above, during the description of Figures 3a and 3b.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to preferred embodiments of the invention. It is obvious that variants can be made without departing from the invention as claimed below.

Claims (22)

1. Member for operating a valve (13), which member is intended to be mounted inside a valve body (11), the said operating member including opening and closure means (15, 115) capable of cooperating with a member (31) for shutting off the valve, so as, in a first position, to place the inside of the valve body (11) in communication with the outside and, in a second position, to prevent any communication between the inside of the valve body and the outside, and an attachment element (60) capable of keeping the valve shut-off member (31) in position inside the valve body, characterized in that the said attachment element being connected to the opening and closure means (15, 115) by at least one breakable portion (70), capable of breaking when the operating member (13) is mounted in the valve body so as to allow the attachment element (60) to engage with the shut-off member (31) and keep it in position inside the valve body.
2. Operating member according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said opening and closure element is of a male type, and consists of a stem (15) comprising an axial duct (45) which has an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice.
3. Operating member according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said opening and closure element is of a female type and consists of a cup (115) capable of accommodating a male member of an element (43) for actuating a valve (42).
4. Operating member according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the attachment element consists of an annular element (60), the said opening and closure element (15, 115) being arranged along the longitudinal axis of the said annular element (60) and connected to the said annular element by a number of breakable portions (70) arranged radially right around the opening and closure element.
5. Valve (13) for dispensing under pressure a fluid product (P), comprising a valve body (11) inside which there is mounted an operating member (15, 115), characterized in that the said operating member is in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 4, the said opening and closure means being, in the absence of any actuating command, urged into the said second position by elastic-return means (27) which are situated inside the valve body.
6. Assembly (1, 201) for packaging a fluid product (P) and dispensing it under pressure, comprising a container (6) equipped with a valve (13), the said valve being surmounted by an actuating means (21), characterized in that the valve is a valve according to Claim 5.
7. Assembly (1, 201) for packaging a fluid product (P) and dispensing it under pressure, comprising a reservoir (6) for pressurized product, on which there are mounted a dispensing valve (4) and an inlet valve (13), the said inlet valve (13) facing away from the dispensing valve (4) and being aligned therewith, actuating and dispensing means (21) being associated with at least one of the said dispensing or inlet valves, each of the valves comprising an operating member, comprising means (20, 24, 26, 15, 30, 35, 115) for, in response to a command, selectively allowing the said valves (4, 13) to be opened and closed, elastic-return means (27) being provided for, in the absence of any command, urging the opening and closure means (20, 24, 26, 15, 30, 35, 115) into the closed position, the said dispensing and inlet valves (4, 13) being mounted inside one and the same body (11) in communication with the reservoir (6), and being urged into the closed position by the same elastic return means (27), characterized in that the member for operating at least one of the said valves is a member according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.
8. Assembly according to Claim 7, characterized in that the means of opening and closing the dispensing valve (4) comprise an emerging valve stem (20), of the sideways-tilting or push-down type.
9. Assembly according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the means of opening and closing the dispensing and/or inlet valves (4, 13) comprise a female member (115) capable, removably, of accommodating an operating stem (43).
10. Assembly according to any one of Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a push-button (21) mounted on the dispensing valve (4) with a view to actuating it and dispensing some product, the inlet valve (13) being intended for filling or refilling the reservoir (6).
11. Assembly according to any one of Claims 7 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a body (2) and a bottom (8), the body (2) forming a valve-holder dish for the dispensing valve (4), the bottom (8) forming a valve-holder dish for the inlet valve (13), the body (2) of the assembly (1) cooperating with the bottom (8) to form, on the one hand, the reservoir (6) for pressurized product and, on the other hand, the valve body (11) for the said valves.
12. Assembly according to Claim 11, characterized in that the dispensing valve (4) comprises a dispensing valve stem (20), a first end (26) of which opens inside the valve body (11), a second end (28) opening outside the valve body, the inlet valve (13) comprising an inlet valve stem (15), a first end (30) of which opens inside the valve body (11), substantially opposite the first end (26) of the dispensing valve stem (20), a second end (29) opening outside the valve body (11), the elastic-return means (27) consisting of a spring resting between the said first ends (26, 30) of the said valve stems.
13. Assembly according to either one of Claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the body (2) is mounted on the bottom (8) in a sealed manner by welding, snap-fastening, screwing or bonding.
14. Assembly according to any one of Claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the body (2) has: a first transverse wall (3) forming a valve-holder dish for the dispensing valve (4); a first lateral skirt (5) delimiting an external contour of the reservoir (6); and a first central hollow shaft (7) of given inside diameter and delimiting an internal contour of the reservoir (6), the bottom (8) having: a second transverse wall (9) forming a valve-holder dish for the inlet valve (13); a second lateral skirt (9b) cooperating with the first one for attaching the bottom (8) to the body (2); and a second central hollow shaft (10) forming a valve body (11), the said second transverse wall (9) also forming a bottom (12) for the valve body, the said second central hollow shaft (10) having an outside diameter that is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the first central hollow shaft (7), there being means (16, 17, 18, 19) for allowing communication between the reservoir (6) and the valve body (11).
15. Assembly according to Claim 14, characterized in that the first end (30) of the inlet valve stem (15) has a substantially planar portion, one face of which lies opposite the said bottom (12), the inlet valve (13) being kept in the closed position by elastic pressure between a sealing strip (33) formed on the said face and a seal (31) through which the inlet valve stem (15) passes and which is placed in the bottom (12) of the valve body, the said seal (31) being in close contact, on the one hand, with the internal walls of the second central hollow shaft (10) and, on the other hand, with the second valve stem (15).
16. Assembly according to Claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the transverse wall (3) of the body has, outside the assembly (1, 201), an annular groove (22) between the first lateral skirt (5) and the first central hollow shaft (7) so as to accommodate a free edge (53) of the said dispensing means (21).
17. Assembly according to one of Claims 14 to 16,
    characterized in that the said first and second central hollow shafts (7, 10) are of identical height, the said first central hollow shaft having a free edge welded to the transverse wall (9) of the bottom (8).
18. Assembly according to any one of Claims 11 to 17, characterized in that the bottom (8) has a recess (14) into which the inlet valve stem (15) emerges, the said recess having a height, along the longitudinal axis X of the assembly, that exceeds the height of the emerging part (29) of the said valve stem (15).
19. Assembly according to any one of Claims 11 to 18, characterized in that the bottom (8) has, between the second lateral skirt (9a) and the second central hollow shaft (10), a rounded annular profile, the concave side (46) of which faces towards the inside of the reservoir (6).
20. Assembly according to any one of Claims 11 to 18, characterized in that the first end (26) of the dispensing valve stem (20) forms an axial stop (37) so as to limit the movement of the inlet valve stem (15) when the inlet valve (13) opens, with a view to filling or refilling the reservoir.
21. Assembly according to any one of Claims 12 to 20, characterized in that the end (29) of the inlet valve stem (15), opening outside the assembly (1, 201), is of a shape that is designed to cooperate with a free end of a valve stem (43) of a pressurized auxiliary container (41), with a view to filling or refilling the assembly.
22. Assembly according to any one of Claims 6-21, characterized in that the said product is pressurized by means of a member made of closed-cell cellular material (M), by means of a liquefiable gas mixed with the product, by means of a non-liquefiable gas product or by means of a pressurized gas, separated from the product by a flexible or rigid element of the piston, bag type.