EP1535860A1 - Variable-delivery tilt valve - Google Patents

Abstract

The valve has a stem (14) that is displaced from a closing position to two opening positions, in response to respective activating controls, such that a product is distributed under pressure from a pressurized container as per respective flows through two orifices (18b, 18c). The orifice (18c) is closed in one opening position and the orifice (18b) is closed in another opening position. An independent claim is also included for device to condition and distribute the cosmetic product.

Description

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

Such valves, in a most common configuration, include a Valve body having an opening / closing member thereon in the form of a valve stem, a portion of which emerges outside the body of valve. The valve stem is able to slide sealingly in engagement with a sealing element in the form of an annular seal.

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

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 (or) orifice (s) of entry is (are) opposite of the sealing element.

In response to an actuation command, the valve sinks axially, and 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 conveyed via the valve stem and the passage passing through the actuating member, towards the dispensing orifice. In the case of a multi-port valve of entry, these are put in communication simultaneously with the body of valve.

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

Some valves, besides actuating in response to axial movement, can be actuated in response to a force exerted laterally on the rod of valve. Such valves are called "tilting".

For some valves, called "females", 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 control opening or closing the valve.

A valve in a different configuration is described for example in the FR 2 725 182. In this document, the valve body is crossed by a purge port for distribution, together with the product, or separate, from propellant.

For all these known valves, the actuation control causes a movement of the opening / closing element, and its passage from one position closing at an open position in which the product is dispensed according to a specific and unique flow rate.

For the first type of valve, it is the section of the (or) orifice (s) of entry, and / or their number, which partly determines the output rate. For a valve of type of that described in document FR 2 725 182, mentioned above, it 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, one uses a container equipped with a valve allowing a first flow. When it's about spray the product as a spray, use another container equipped another valve allowing a second flow, greater than the first.

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

Variable flow valves are described in US-A-3,292,827, US-A-3,195,569 and US-B-6,296,155. Because of their configuration, both positions at different rates are very close to each other. In particular, two flows are obtained by transmitting to the valve stem a force according to a same direction, more precisely by more or less the valve stem.

US 4,139,128 discloses a variable flow tilt valve. This valve comprises a valve stem traversed by a channel opening, on the one hand, on an outlet of the product and, on the other hand, on a passage product inlet delimited between two parts of the valve stem. When one depresses the valve stem axially, this passage is put into communication with the pressurized product inside the valve body. When we switch valve stem, the two parts of the valve stem that delineate the passage the product inlet are separated from each other so as to enlarge the passage. Again, the two flows obtained are not clearly distinct.

Also, is it an object of the invention to provide a valve adapted to distribute a product at different rates, depending on the characteristics spraying, clearly distinguishing movements actuator for dispensing the product at different rates.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device which is simple and economic to achieve.

Still other objects will appear in the following detailed description.

According to the invention, these objects can be achieved by making a valve of the type tilting for dispensing a product contained in a container said valve having a longitudinal axis and comprising a aperture / closing element fit, in response to a first command actuation, to move from a closed position to a first opening position in which the product under pressure is distributed according to a first rate via a first pass, and which, in response to a second actuation control different from the first, is able to move from the closed position to a second open position in which the product is distributed at a second rate, different from the first, via a second passage, the second passage being closed in the first open position and the first passage being closed in the second open position.

So, using two separate passages of which only one is open to the time, one can perfectly differentiate the two flows.

The open / close element can move parallel to the X axis (y X-axis) in response to the first actuation command and deviate from the X axis in response to the second actuation command. So, the movement to move the opening / closing element to distribute the product at a first rate is relatively different from that for distribute the product at the second rate. Indeed, when the element opening / closing is directly accessible by the user, the first flow is achieved by toggling the open / close element while the second flow is obtained by pushing it down which allows the user to easily differentiate the two flows. In case the element opening / closing is surmounted by an actuating member, for example of a push button, both flow rates can also be easily identified by identifying for example two distinct surfaces on the push button, a first surface for transmitting to the element opening / closing a movement laterally to the X axis, and a second surface for transmitting to the opening / closing element a movement parallel to the X axis, including along the X axis.

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

The opening / closing element can be traversed by an axial channel opening, on the one hand, outside the valve body via an outlet port and being able to open, on the other hand, inside the valve body via the first and second passages.

The axial channel may comprise a necking situated axially between the first passage and the second pass.

The opening / closing element may consist of a valve stem, one of which portion emerges outside a valve body.

The opening / closing element may alternatively be a rod integral with a member external to the valve, in particular of an actuating member of the valve.

The valve may comprise a sealing element, in particular in the form of a annular seal disposed within said valve body, the first passage opening laterally opposite said sealing member, in the position of closing.

The first passage can lead to the inside of the valve body in the first open position.

The valve may further comprise a nacelle provided with a suitable lip, in closing position, coming to rest on the sealing element, the nacelle further comprising a bottom bearing on one end of the element opening / closing in the closed position so as to close the second passage.

The nacelle may include a pin able to be housed in the second passage to seal it tightly, especially in the closed position of the valve.

Alternatively, the bottom of the nacelle may include a flat seal suitable for coming in sealing support on the end of the opening / closing element.

The end of the opening / closing element is able to move away from the bottom of the nacelle when the opening / closing element is in the second position opening so as to clear the second passage.

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

The product can be pressurized with compressed or liquefied gas. The gas propellant may be in contact with or separated from the product by a piston or a flexible pouch inside which the product is arranged.

The device may further comprise a member for actuating the valve and dispensing the product under pressure via at least one orifice of distribution located for example inside a nozzle, in particular a nozzle to swirling effect.

The actuating member may be integral with the opening / closing element.

The actuating member may comprise two separate bearing surfaces for the actuation of the valve, a first bearing surface allowing axially moving the opening / closing element and a second surface support for laterally displacing the opening / closing element. The first bearing surface may for example be a surface passing through a plane substantially perpendicular to the X axis. The second bearing surface may for example pass in a plane parallel to the X axis or a surface passing in a plane substantially perpendicular to the X axis formed remotely of the X axis and which does not contain it.

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

• la figure 1 illustre une vue d'ensemble d'un premier mode de réalisation d'un dispositif de conditionnement et de distribution selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente une vue éclatée du dispositif illustré à la figure 1 ;
• les figures 3 à 5 représentent en coupe partielle le dispositif illustré à la figure 1 dans différentes positions ;
• les figures 6 et 7 représentent des variantes de réalisation du premier mode de réalisation du dispositif selon l'invention ; et
• la figure 8 représente un second mode de réalisation d'un dispositif de conditionnement et de distribution selon l'invention.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, in 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 illustrates an overview of a first embodiment of a packaging and dispensing device according to the invention;
• Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the device shown in Figure 1;
• Figures 3 to 5 show in partial section the device shown in Figure 1 in different positions;
• Figures 6 and 7 show alternative embodiments of the first embodiment of the device according to the invention; and
• FIG. 8 represents a second embodiment of a packaging and dispensing device according to the invention.

The device 100 shown as a whole in FIG. cylindrical container 20, in particular of aluminum or tinplate, topped a head 30 for actuating a valve 10, which will be described in detail later. The device 100 is intended to distribute a composition, in particular capillary, through a dispensing orifice 31. The head of distribution 30 comprises two bearing surfaces 32 and 33 for the actuation of the valve. A removable cap 40 covers the head of distribution 30.

As seen in more detail in FIGS. 3 to 5, the valve 10 is mounted on a cup 60, which is dug on a rolled edge of a container Aluminum 20. The latter is only partially represented.

The valve 10, of longitudinal axis X, comprises a cylindrical valve body 11 one end of which ends with an axial chimney 12 on which is forcibly mounted a dip tube 50.

The other end of the valve body 11 is closed by the valve holder cup 60, sealing at the closure being provided by an annular seal 13. A annular ring 11a formed inside the valve body 11 in the vicinity cup 60 is sealingly applied against the inner surface of the seal 13, thus ensuring both a holding in position thereof and the seal required. Inside the annular seal 13 slides axially a valve stem 14 of which a portion 14a emerges outside the valve body.

The valve stem 14 is traversed axially by a channel 18, one end of which opens out of the valve body via an axial orifice 18a. The channel 18, in the vicinity of its other end opens radially via an orifice 18b which, in the closed position of the valve, is in sealing engagement against the inner edge of the annular seal 13. Finally, the channel 18 opens, at the second end 14b of the valve stem through a frustoconical shaped orifice 18c formed in the X axis.

The lower end 14b of the valve stem 14 is located inside the body valve 11. A nacelle 15 having a bottom 15b surrounded by a lip 15a device is mounted inside the valve body, the bottom 15b being provided, in its middle, a frustoconical pin 15c. The nacelle 15 is formed in the extension of a rod portion 15d. A spring 16 surrounds the 15d rod portion and, in the absence of stress exerted on the valve stem, constrains the free end of the annular lip 15a in sealing engagement against the seal 13. An annular space 17 is then delimited by the nacelle 15, the lip 15a and the annular seal 13. In addition, in this position, the pin 15c comes to fit in the hole 18c of the valve stem so as to close it waterproof. The rod 14 is also pushed outwardly of the valve body by the spring, via the nacelle which bears on the end lower 14b of the stem. However, the rod 14 is held integral with the body of valve due to the presence of an annular ring 19 formed on the rod to near its lower end 14b, the rod 19 abutting against the annular seal 13.

In addition to improving the sealing of the closure of the orifice 18c, the pin 15c makes it easier to position the rod 14 with respect to the nacelle 15.

As it appears in FIGS. 3 and 5, on the emergent portion 14a of the stem valve 14, is mounted by force a dispensing head 30 in the form of a pushbutton. The dispensing head 30 is crossed by a passage 34 one end of which is in communication with the channel 18 of the valve stem. The other end of the passage 34 opens, via a dispensing orifice 31, delimited, for example, by a vortex channel nozzle (which is not shown in detail).

The dispensing head has a first bearing surface 32 formed to distance from the X axis and which makes it possible to actuate the valve by tilting. The head of distribution comprises a second bearing surface 33, passing through the X axis of the valve stem and preferably perpendicular to this axis X, which allows to actuate the valve by axial depression.

By exerting a force F ₁ on the surface 33 of the dispensing head (FIG. 4), the valve stem penetrates axially by a distance such that the orifice 18b is no longer opposite the annular seal 13. against, the bottom 15b of the nacelle remains in abutment on the lower end 14b of the valve stem so that the orifice 18c remains closed sealingly by the pin 15c. The annular lip 15a moves away from the seal 13 over its entire circumference so that the product rushes into the channel 18 of the valve stem through the orifice 18b. It is then dispensed via the dispensing orifice 31, for example in the form of a spray, at a first rate determined by the section of the orifice 18b which is smaller than that of the channel 18.

By exerting a force F ₂ on the surface 32 of the dispensing head (FIG. 5), a lateral force is transmitted to the valve stem 14 so that it is tilted relative to the axis X. The annular lip 15 a away from the seal 13, at a certain angular extent, which makes it possible to establish a communication between the inside of the valve body and the annular space 17. In addition, the lower end 14b of the stem deviates from the bottom 15b of the nacelle and the pin 15c disengages the orifice 18c so that the communication is established between the inside of the valve body and the inside of the rod 14, via the orifice 18c. In this position of the valve stem, the orifice 18b remains opposite the seal 13. The product contained in the valve body then engulfs in the channel 18 of the valve stem 14 only through the orifice 18c. It goes up in the passage 34 of the dispensing head 30 and leaves in the form of a cloud of fine droplets, via the orifice 31 at a second flow rate, different from the first and which is determined by the section of the second orifice 18c.

In addition, by choosing an orifice 18c of relatively small section, the second flow rate is determined by this section, regardless of the angle of inclination of the 14. Alternatively, the channel 18 has a narrowing 118 located axially between the first passage 18b and the second passage 18c whereas the orifice 18c may have a relatively large section, as shown in Figure 6. The second flow is then determined by the shrink 118. We then have a better control of the second flow.

From one or other of the actuating positions of FIG. 4 or 5, in releasing the pressure on the dispensing head, the spring 16 causes the raising of the nacelle 15 and the valve stem 14 in its position of the figure 3. The distribution of the product stops.

According to a variant not shown, the bottom 15b of the nacelle can be devoid of picot. The bottom is then only constituted by a surface plane which bears on the end 14b of the rod to close the orifice 18c.

According to a variant represented in part in FIG. 7, provision can be made for the bottom of the nacelle is provided with a flat gasket 15e, for example a gasket elastomer which improves the sealing of the orifice 18c.

The valve that has just been described may also make it possible to distribute the produced in a third rate. Indeed, it suffices to push the valve stem 14 and switch it once it is depressed so as to clear the two orifices 18b and 18c. The product can then be distributed in a third rate, different from the first two.

According to a second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the element opening / closing is a rod 214 secured to the pushbutton 230. can be obtained molding from one piece with the button button. Alternatively, the rod 214 can be made separately and welded push button, for example.

In the above detailed description, reference has been made to modes of preferred embodiment of the invention. It is obvious that variants can to be made without departing from the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Claims (17)

Tilt type valve (10; 210) for dispensing a product contained in a pressurized container (20; 220), said valve having an axis X longitudinal and comprising an opening / closing element (14; 214) suitable, in response to a first actuation command, to move a closing position to a first open position in which the product under pressure is distributed in a first flow via a first passage (18b; 218b), and which, in response to a second command actuation different from the first, is able to move from the position closing at a second open position in which the product is distributed according to a second flow, different from the first, via a second pass (18c; 218c), the second passage (18c; 218c) being closed in the first opening position and the first passage (18b; 218b) being closed in the second open position. Valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening / closing element (14; 214) moves parallel to the X axis in response to the first actuation command and deviates from the X axis by response to the second actuation command. Valve according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the opening / closing element (14; 214) is traversed by an axial channel (18) opening on the one hand, outside the valve body via an outlet port (18a) and being able to open, on the other hand, inside the valve body via the first and second passages (18b) and (18c). Valve according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the axial channel (18) comprises a recess (118) located axially between the first passage (18b) and the second passage (18c). Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening / closing element (14) is constituted by a valve stem, a portion (14a) of which emerges outside a valve body (11). Valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the opening / closing element (214) is a rod integral with a member external to the valve, in particular of an actuating member (230 ) of the valve. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a sealing element (13), in particular in the form of an annular seal, arranged inside said valve body (11), the first passage (18b) opening laterally opposite said sealing element (13), in the closed position. Valve according to claim 7, characterized in that the first passage (18b) opens into the interior of the valve body (11) in the first open position. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a nacelle (15) provided with a lip (15a) adapted, in the closed position, to bear against the sealing element (13), the nacelle (15) further comprising a bottom (15b) bearing on one end (14b) of the opening / closing element in the closed position so as to close the second passage (18c). Valve according to claim 9, characterized in that the nacelle (15) comprises a pin (15c) adapted to be housed in the second passage (18c) to seal tightly, especially in the closed position. Valve according to claim 9, characterized in that the bottom (15b) of the nacelle (15) comprises a flat seal (15e) adapted to bear tightly on the end (14b) of the opening / closing element (14). Valve according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the end (14b) of the opening / closing element is able to move away from the bottom (15b) of the nacelle when the element d opening / closing (14) is in the second open position so as to disengage the second passage (18c). Device (100; 200) for packaging and dispensing a product, in particular a cosmetic product, the device comprising a pressurized container (20; 220) containing the product to be dispensed, and equipped with a valve (10; 210) according to any one of the preceding claims. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises a member for actuating (30; 230) the valve and dispensing the pressurized product via at least one dispensing orifice (31; 231) located by example inside a nozzle, including a vortex effect nozzle. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the actuating member (200) is integral with the opening / closing element (214). Device according to any one of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that the actuating member comprises two distinct bearing surfaces (32, 33; 232, 233) for actuating the valve, a first surface of support (32; 232) for laterally displacing the opening / closing member and a second bearing surface (33; 233) for axially moving the opening / closing member. Use of a device (100; 200) according to any one of Claims 13 to 16 for packaging and dispensing under pressure of a cosmetic product, in particular a hair product, a product personal hygiene, a make-up product, a skincare product or a product to protect against the harmful effects of the sun.

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