EP1291293A1 - Valve with variable discharge and container having such valve - Google Patents

Abstract

The valve (10) for the dispensing of a product contained in a pressurized container (2) comprises an opening/closing element (14) which can be displaced from a closed position to two chosen opening positions allowing the product to be dispensed at two different flow rates. The opening/closing element comprises a piston able to be displaced axially inside the valve body (11) between a closed position, where a piston peripheral part (28) seals the body from an output passage, and an opening position where fluid communication is established between the valve body and the outlet passage. In the opening position the piston peripheral part is opposite a groove (23) in the valve body internal surface. An Independent claim is included for a container using the valve.

Description

The present invention relates to a valve intended to equip a container pressurized. Such valves are used in particular in the field of cosmetic for the distribution of hair products (hairsprays, styling sprays, etc.) of personal care products, make-up products, or products of protection against the harmful effects of the sun.

Such valves, according to a most widespread configuration, include a body valve inside which is mounted an opening / closing element under shape of a valve stem, part of which emerges outside the valve body. The valve stem is capable of sliding tightly in engagement with a sealing element in the form of an annular seal.

The valve stem is traversed by an axial channel, one end of which opens out axially outside the valve body, and is intended to be positioned communication with a passage passing through a valve actuating member having at least one outlet.

The other end of the channel opens radially via an inlet orifice, or several inlet ports arranged in the same axial position.

In the closed position of the valve, the inlet port (s) is (are) opposite of the sealing element.

In response to an actuation command, the valve is pushed in axially, and the (or the) inlet port (s) of the valve stem is (are) placed in communication with the pressurized product inside the valve body. The product is then routed, via the valve stem and the passage through the actuator, towards the dispensing orifice. In the case of a valve with several inlet ports, these are put in communication simultaneously with the valve body.

When the actuation command ceases, a spring contained inside the valve body recalls the valve stem in the closed position. The distribution of product stops.

Some valves, in addition to actuation in response to axial movement, may be operated in response to pressure exerted laterally on the rod valve. Such valves are called "tilting".

For some valves, called "female" the opening / closing element does not emerge not outside the valve body. In this case, a portion of the organ actuation is engaged inside the valve body, and controls opening or closing the valve.

A valve according to a different configuration is described for example in the Patent FR 2 725 182. In this document, the valve body is crossed by a purge orifice for gas distribution, joint with the product, or separate propellant. A valve whose opening is carried out according to the principle described in this document can also be designed without a drain hole.

For all these known valves, the actuation command causes a movement of the opening / closing element, and its passage from a position of closing in an open position in which the product is distributed according to a determined and unique flow.

For the first type of valve, it is the section of the inlet opening (s), and / or their number, which determines the output flow. For a valve like this described in document FR 2 725 182, mentioned above, this is the depth and / or the width, and / or the number of grooves formed on the internal surface of the valve body.

Thus, in the field of styling products, for a lacquer, a container equipped with a valve allowing a first flow. When it's about spray the product as a spray, use another fitted container another valve allowing a second flow, greater than the first.

Two separate devices are therefore required when the user wants to be able to choose between two different spraying modes of the same product.

Variable flow valves are described in documents US-A-3,292,827 and US-A-3 195 569. By their configuration, the two positions with different flow rates are very close to each other, which makes their selective use of the most hazardous.

It is therefore one of the objects of the invention to produce a valve capable of distribute a product at different rates, depending on the characteristics of spraying sought, while maintaining average particle sizes which are of the same order of magnitude.

It is another object of the invention to produce a device which is simple and economical to achieve.

Other objects will appear in the detailed description which follows.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by making a valve for dispensing of a product contained in a pressurized container, said valve comprising a opening / closing element which, in response to an actuation command, is able to move from a closed position to a position chosen from among minus two open positions: a first open position in which the product under pressure is dispensed at a first rate; and a second open position in which the product is dispensed at a second rate, different from the first, the opening / closing element returning to the position of closing when the actuation command stops, the element opening / closing comprising a part forming a suitable piston, in response to said actuation command, to move axially inside the body valve, between said closed position in which a peripheral portion of the piston sealingly isolates the valve body from an outlet passage of the valve and a position, chosen at least from said first and second open positions, and in which smooth communication is established between the valve body and said outlet passage.

The peripheral portion sealingly applied against the internal surface valve body may be formed from a bead obtained from molding with the rest of the opening / closing element. Alternatively, it can be an O-ring fixedly mounted (in particular by gluing, or overmolded) on the element opening / closing. Alternatively again, it may be the free edge of a molded or overmolded lip with the rest of the opening / closing element.

A valve configured according to the invention is advantageous, compared to those described in documents US-A-3 195 569 or US-A-3 292 827, in that it overcomes the problem of sealing when closing when wishes to keep the thickness of the joint as small as possible.

Indeed, with this configuration, the variation in flow is no longer coupled to the relative position of valve stem inlet ports relative to a seal. At on the contrary, it can be coupled to the position of the piston inside the body of valve. Therefore, the different positions at different flow rates are much more differentiated, without affecting sealing on closing.

Thus, in the case for example of a styling product, in a first open position, the product is dispensed at a relatively low flow rate, under shape of a lacquer. In a second open position, the product is dispensed at a higher flow rate, in the form of a spray. The same device can then be used for both distribution modes.

For the first and second flow rates, the characteristics of the spray, in grain size terms, are of the same order of magnitude. So the difference in average particle size is preferably less than 35%, and preferably again, less than 25%, and more preferably, less than 15% and more preferably, less than 10%. For styling products, such as lacquers, the particle size is generally between 40 μm and 55 μm.

The two opening positions are positions each authorizing a flow of different distribution, each obtainable under normal conditions of use by manual actuation, in particular with the finger, and which can be maintained as long as desired.

The user can be informed about the passage from one position to another, by means arrangements capable of generating a perceptible signal, such as may result in particular the crossing of a slight notch or bead by the element opening / closing, when moving from the first position to the second. Such a notch or bead must be perceptible, but not sufficiently pronounced so as not to hinder the return of the valve to the closed position.

Preferably, the difference in delivery rate between the two positions opening is such that the product flow distributed in the first position is visually and / or audibly different from the product flow distributed in the second open position.

The valve can be in communication with the product via a dip tube, the product then being propelled by means of a liquefied or compressed gas. Alternatively, the product is contained inside a pocket with flexible walls, outside of which is the propellant.

Advantageously, the opening / closing element reaches the second position in passing through the first, the product flow, between the first and second open positions, gradually moving from the first to the second. Such a configuration offers more flexibility in the choice of characteristics product distribution.

For this purpose, in the position chosen at least from said first and second open positions, the peripheral portion of the piston faces at least a groove formed on the internal surface of the valve body and the width of which angular and / or depth varies along the axis of movement of the element opening / closing.

Thus, the depth of the groove can be substantially zero in a first end and be on the order of a few tenths of a millimeter in a second end, opposite the first. Similarly, the angular width of the groove may be of the order of 0 in the vicinity of the first end, and may be of the order of a few degrees near the second end.

Alternatively, the product flow, between the first and second positions opening, goes from the first to the second in a substantially incremental manner.

For this purpose, the internal surface of the valve body may include a plurality of axial grooves parallel to each other, but the upper ends of which are axially offset. Thus, for a first insertion position, the piston is opposite a first axial groove, thus allowing a first flow of exit. For a second insertion position, the piston is, in addition to the first groove, opposite a second groove parallel to the first, thus authorizing a second output flow, greater than the first.

The opening / closing element may include a valve stem, one of which portion emerges outside of a valve body, said valve stem being crossed by an axial channel opening on the one hand to the outside of the valve body via an outlet, and on the other hand via an inlet which, in the position of closure, is isolated from the valve body.

Such a valve stem may, in response to said actuation command, be move axially in sealed engagement with a sealing element, in particular in the form of an annular seal, disposed inside said body of valve, said inlet orifice, in the closed position, opening laterally into look of said sealing element so as to be closed by the latter.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for the packaging and distribution of a product, in particular cosmetic, the device comprising a pressurized container containing the product to be dispensed, and equipped of a valve according to the present invention.

The product can be pressurized using compressed or liquefied gas. The gas propellant can be in contact with the product or separated from it by a piston or a flexible pocket inside which the product is placed.

Preferably, the device further comprises a member for actuating the valve and the distribution of the product under pressure via at least one orifice of distribution, formed for example inside a nozzle, in particular for effect vortex.

The device according to the invention can be used advantageously for the packaging and distribution under pressure of a cosmetic product, in particular a hair product, a personal hygiene product, a product make-up, skin care product or skin protection product the harmful effects of the sun.

• la figure 1 représente une vue d'ensemble d'un dispositif de conditionnement et de distribution selon l'invention.
• les figures 2A-2B et 3A-3B sont relatives à un premier mode de réalisation de la valve selon l'invention ; et
• les figures 4A-4B et 5A-5B sont relatives à un second mode de réalisation de la valve selon l'invention.

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:

• FIG. 1 represents an overall view of a packaging and distribution device according to the invention.
• FIGS. 2A-2B and 3A-3B relate to a first embodiment of the valve according to the invention; and
• Figures 4A-4B and 5A-5B relate to a second embodiment of the valve according to the invention.

The device 1 shown as a whole in Figure 1 comprises a container cylindrical 2, in particular aluminum or tin, and surmounted by a head 50 for actuating a valve (which will be described in detail later) and for the distribution of a composition, in particular a capillary composition, through an orifice distribution 51. The distribution head 50 includes a bearing surface 52 intended for actuation of the valve. A removable cap 59 covers the head distribution 50.

In the first embodiment which will be described specifically in reference to FIGS. 2A-2B and 3A-3B, the valve 10 is mounted on a cup 3, which is set on a rolled edge of an aluminum container 2. The latter is not shown only partially.

The valve 10, of axis X, comprises a cylindrical valve body 11, one of which end ends with an axial chimney 12 on which is forcibly mounted a dip tube 4.

The other end of the valve body 11 is closed by the valve holder cup 3, the seal at closure being ensured by an annular seal 13 whose thickness is approximately 1.5 mm. An annular crown formed inside the body of valve 11 in the vicinity of the cup 3 applies tightly against the inner surface of the seal 13, thus ensuring both a holding in position of this and the required seal. Inside the annular seal 13 slides axially a valve stem 14 of which a portion 15 emerges outside the body valve.

The valve stem 14, at least in its part 15 emerging outside the body valve, is crossed axially by a channel 18, one end of which opens out the outside of the valve body via an axial orifice 19. The channel 18, in the vicinity of its other end opens radially via an orifice 20 which, in the position of valve closure (Figure 2A), is in sealed engagement against the edge internal seal 13.

As it appears in Figures 3A and 3B, on the emerging part 15 of the rod valve stem valve 14, is forcibly mounted a dispensing head 50 under shaped like a push button. The distribution head 50 is crossed by a passage 53, one end of which is in communication with the channel 18 of the rod valve. The other end of the passage 52 opens out via a dispensing orifice 51 delimited by a nozzle with vortex channels.

The part 24 of the valve stem 14 located inside the valve body 11 includes a peripheral bead 28 which in the closed position of the valve (Figure 2A) applies tightly over its entire periphery, against the internal surface of the valve body 11. Thus, the orifice 20 formed radially in the valve stem, and which, in the closed position of the valve is located opposite the seal 13, is isolated from the pressure product contained in the valve body 11, under the peripheral bead 28.

By exerting axial pressure on the valve stem 14, via the dispensing head 50, at least one angular part of the bead 28 is located opposite a groove 23 formed on the internal surface of the valve body 11, interrupting the seal between the valve body and the orifice 20, which is no longer facing the annular seal 13. Thus, the product rises in the upper part of the valve body via the space formed between the peripheral bead 28 and the bottom of the groove 23, rushes into the orifice 20, rises in the valve stem 14 and is distributed via the dispensing orifice 51.

When the actuating pressure ceases, the spring 17 recalls the valve in its Figure 2A closed position.

As it appears clearly in Figure 2B, the groove 23 is of angular width gradually increasing towards the bottom of the container.

Thus, by axially exerting on the dispensing head 50 a moderate pressure (Figure 3A), the valve stem sinks a distance such that the bead device 28 of the valve stem is opposite a narrow width portion of groove 23. The product is distributed at a relatively low rate. As for example, the flow rate is 0.16 g / s.

The greater the pressure exerted on the dispensing head 50, the more the flow increases, and this until reaching the position of FIG. 3B in which the bead 28 is opposite the widest part of the groove 23. In this position, the product is dispensed at a rate significantly higher than the rate of FIG. 3A, the particle sizes being substantially the same. For information also, the flow rate is of the order of 0.67 g / s.

The embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4B and 5A-5B differs from the mode of previous embodiment in that the groove 23 is of constant width over its entire height, but depth gradually increasing towards the bottom of the container.

The valve 10 is also identical in all respects to that of the embodiment. previous.

By axially exerting on the dispensing head 50 a moderate pressure (FIG. 5A), the valve stem sinks a distance such that the peripheral bead 28 of the valve stem is facing a shallow portion of the groove 23. The product is distributed at a relatively low rate.

The greater the pressure exerted on the dispensing head 50, the more the flow increases, and this until reaching the position of FIG. 5B in which the bead 28 is opposite the deepest part of the groove 23. In this position, the product is distributed at a rate significantly higher than the flow of Figure 5A.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to modes of preferred embodiments of the invention. Obviously there may be variations made without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed below.

Claims (9)

Valve (10) for dispensing a product contained in a container pressurized (2), said valve comprising an opening / closing element (14) which, in response to an actuation command, is able to move from one closing position at a position chosen from at least two positions opening: a first opening position in which the product under pressure is distributed at a first rate; and a second opening position in which the product is distributed at a second rate, different from the first, the opening / closing element (14) returning to the closed position when ceases the actuation command, the opening / closing element (14) comprising a suitable piston portion (24), in response to said command actuation, to move axially inside the valve body (11), between said closed position in which a peripheral portion (28) of the piston tightly insulates the valve body (11) from an outlet passage (18) of the valve (10) and a position, chosen at least from said first and second open positions, and in which smooth communication is established between the valve body (11) and said outlet passage (18). Valve (10) according to claim 1 characterized in that in the position chosen at least from said first and second opening positions, the peripheral portion (28) of the piston is opposite at least one groove (23) formed on the internal surface of the valve body (11) and whose angular width and / or depth varies along the axis of movement of the opening / closing element (14). Valve (10) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the opening / closing element (14) reaches the second position via the first, the product flow, between the first and second opening positions, gradually going from the first to the second. Valve (10) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the element opening / closing (14) reaches the second position via the first, the product flow, between the first and second opening positions, passing from the first to the second in a substantially incremental manner. Valve (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening / closing element (14) comprises a valve stem of which a portion (15) emerges outside of a valve body (11), said valve stem being traversed by an axial channel (18) opening on the one hand to the outside of the valve body via an outlet orifice (19), and on the other hand via at least one orifice d inlet (20) which, in the closed position, is isolated from the valve body (11). Valve (10) according to claim 5 characterized in that said valve stem (14) is able, in response to said actuation command, to move axially in sealed engagement with a sealing element (13), in particular under in the form of an annular seal, disposed inside said valve body, said inlet orifice (20), in the closed position, opening laterally opposite said sealing element (13). Device (1) for packaging and dispensing a product, especially cosmetic, the device comprising a pressurized container (2) containing the product to be dispensed, and equipped with a valve (10) according to any one of the foregoing claims. Device (1) according to claim 7 characterized in that it further comprises a member (50) for actuating the valve and dispensing the product under pressure via at least one dispensing orifice (51), formed for example inside a nozzle, in particular with a swirl effect. Use of a device (1) according to claim 7 or 8 for the packaging and distribution under pressure of a cosmetic product, in particular a hair product, a personal hygiene product, a product make-up, skin care product or skin protection product the harmful effects of the sun.

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