EP3253685B1 - Fitting member for fixing a pouch within a pressurized dispenser and method for charging a pressurized dispenser comprising such a pouch - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a fixing ring for a pressure distributor, and a method for pressurizing a pressure distributor provided with a ring according to the invention. The pressure distributors for which the ring of the invention is intended consist of a container, a valve mounted on a cup and a fixing ring on which is fixed a pocket. The fixing ring is provided with a central part having an outer face designed for fixing a pocket and whose cross section is smaller than the section of the opening of the container to which the ring is intended, and a collar for fixing the ring between the edge of the opening of the container and the peripheral edge of the valve cup and / or for sealing between the ring and the cup and / or between the ring and the edge of the valve. opening of the container, the diameter of the collar being greater than the diameter of the opening of the container to which the ring is intended.

There are several ways to pressurize a pressure distributor depending on whether the valve is a metering valve or a single valve, whether the product to be packaged is viscous or not and whether it is in a bag or directly in the container.

Initially, the propellant gas was introduced through an opening in the bottom of the container already containing the product to be packaged. After pressurizing, the opening was closed by a small plug called plug. This technique is still used in some cases, but other methods have been developed. In the case of a low-viscosity product stored in a pocket protected from propellant gas, it is common to first put the bag valve in the container, to lift the cup to introduce the propellant into the container through the slot located between the peripheral edge of the cup and the rolled edge of the neck of the container. The cup is then attached to the container by swaging or crimping. Finally, the bag is filled with the product to be packaged by making it penetrate via the valve. If the product to be packaged is not placed in a bag, it is possible to first introduce the product, to position the valve on the container, to add the propellant gas through the slot created by lifting the valve then to drain or crimp the valve. The propellant can also be added via the valve.

The filling solution via the valve is not always applicable. It is not suitable for example metering valves that have an intermediate reservoir that can not be opened both on the outside and on the inside of the container. The solution described above is also not applicable if the product to be packaged is not sufficiently fluid to flow fairly quickly through the narrow channel through the valve or if the remains can not be easily cleaned. .

If the product to be packaged is too viscous or too thick, which is the case for example silicone, glue, sticky materials, pasta such as pasta churros, it is not possible, cheaply , to get it into the container or into the inner bag through the valve, even through a valve with large flow. In addition there is the problem of cleaning the valve after filling, because the product is usually on the wall. It is therefore necessary to pour the product into the container or into the bag before the valve is put in place. When the product is contained directly in the container, the pressurization is done by passing the gas between the valve cup and the neck of the container before fixing the cup on the container. If against the viscous product is contained in a bag, it is common that it is fixed, not to the valve as for fluid products, but the neck of the container. It can be sealed between the valve cup and the neck of the container, or be welded to a fixing ring whose upper part is wedged between the neck of the container and the cup. For example, reference will be made to the patent application published under the number WO 2013/131846 A1 . In this case, the ring provided with the pocket is placed on the neck of the container resting on its flange, the product is poured into the pocket through the large diameter channel of the ring. After filling, the valve is placed at the top of the ring and its cup is crimped or dudgeonnée on the neck of the container by sealingly wedging the flange of the ring. The propellant gas is then introduced into the container according to the traditional method, that is to say via an opening made in the bottom of the container, which opening is then closed using a plug.

The object of the invention is to simplify the pressurization of a dispenser provided with a valve and a fixing ring on which is fixed a pocket, and thus to avoid piercing the bottom of the container.

This object is achieved according to the invention because the ring is provided with a connecting part located between the central part and the collar, and on the outer face of which at least one passage is formed, the passage or passages not extending beyond said joining portion and being dimensioned so that when the ring is placed in the opening of a container with its passages located at the height of the edge of the opening of the container, the passage or passages extend on either side of the edge of the opening and each form a channel bringing into contact the portion of the outer face of the ring located at the outside of the container and the part of the outer face of the ring located inside the container. It is thus possible to penetrate the gas into the container via the passage or passages when the ring is placed in the neck of the housing with its passages at the edge of the opening of the container, protruding above and below of said edge.

To ensure tightness during pressurization, it is preferable to size the flange to seal between the ring and the peripheral edge of the cup when the ring is placed in the opening of a container with its or its passages located at the edge of the opening of the container and that gas is introduced into the container through the passage or passages.

In a particular variant, the ring is provided with a single annular passage which makes the complete turn of the ring.

The ring may also be provided with at least one of the following elements: (i) a pin for fixing a dip tube, (ii) a pin for fixing anti-sag means, (iii) anti-sag means, iv) fins to facilitate the attachment of a pocket. It is preferably provided with a flexible pouch fixed on its central part. Anti-collapse means include means that prevent the bag from collapsing, that is to say, to collapse on itself by creating pockets that are isolated from the valve and whose contents can not be extract.

The ring can be supplied alone or with a pocket fixed on its central part.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ring is provided on its outer face at the or of the passages of a shoulder parallel to the collar, the outer diameter of the shoulder being greater than the diameter of the opening of the container and the height of the shoulder being such that the passage or passages extend on either side of said shoulder.

It may be useful in some cases to provide the ring with a valve provided with means for fixing it on the fixing ring so that when the valve is mounted in the ring, it is immobilized relative to the ring at least in the direction axial. The fixing means of the valve on the ring may consist of a nozzle attached to the lower end of the valve stem, the nozzle being provided with at least one hook dimensioned so that when the valve is mounted in the ring with the peripheral edge of its cup bearing against the flange of the ring, the hook or hooks are snapped behind bearing surfaces formed on the ring, preferably behind the lower edge of the central portion of the ring , so that when the valve is mounted in the ring, it is immobilized relative to the ring at least in the axial direction.

1. (a) introduction de la bague dans le récipient de telle sorte que la poche se trouve à l'intérieur du récipient ;
2. (b) remplissage de la poche avec le produit à conditionner ;
3. (c) mise en place de la valve dans la bague de telle sorte que le bord périphérique de la coupelle de la valve soit en appui contre la collerette de la bague et assure une liaison étanche ;
4. (d) déplacement de la bague si nécessaire pour que le ou les passages pour le gaz s'étendent de part et d'autre du bord de l'ouverture du récipient ;
5. (e) introduction du gaz dans le récipient à travers le ou les passages ;
6. (f) enfoncement de l'ensemble constitué par la bague et la valve jusqu'à ce que le bord périphérique de la coupelle et la collerette soient en contact avec le récipient ;
7. (g) fixation étanche de la coupelle sur le récipient en coinçant entre eux la collerette de la bague.

The method of the invention is characterized by the following steps

1. (a) introducing the ring into the container so that the bag is inside the container;
2. (b) filling the bag with the product to be packaged;
3. (c) placing the valve in the ring so that the peripheral edge of the valve cup is in abutment against the flange of the ring and provides a tight connection;
4. (d) moving the ring if necessary so that the gas passage (s) extend on either side of the edge of the opening of the container;
5. (e) introducing the gas into the container through the passage (s);
6. (f) depressing the assembly formed by the ring and the valve until the peripheral edge of the cup and the flange are in contact with the container;
7. (g) sealing the cup on the container by wedging the flange of the ring between them.

It is preferable in step (g) to secure the cup to the container by swaging, crimping or any other assembly method. If the cup and the container are plastic, we can for example weld them together. In step (e) it will be possible to maintain the cup on the ring so as to form a tight connection.

In a first embodiment of the method of the invention, in step (a), the ring is introduced into the container until the passage (s) are at the level of the edge of the opening of the container. extending on either side of said edge so that it is not necessary to move the ring in step (d).

In a second embodiment of the method, in step (a), the ring is introduced into the container until its collar bears on the edge of the opening of the container. In step (d), the ring is partially out of the container until the passage or passages are at the edge of the opening of the container extending on both sides of said edge.

In the second embodiment of the method, in step (c), the valve is fixed to the ring by means of fixing means provided on the valve. The valve is preferably attached to the ring in step (c) by snapping hooks behind bearing surfaces formed in the ring. To partially open the ring of the container in step (d), a pull is exerted on the cup of the valve, for example by suction.

Figure 1 :

une vue en coupe d'un premier mode de réalisation d'une bague de fixation selon l'invention ;

Figure 2 :

une vue agrandie (a) de la bague de la figure 1 et (b) d'un deuxième mode de réalisation d'une bague de fixation selon l'invention ;

Figure 3 :

une vue éclatée d'un distributeur selon un premier mode de réalisation ;

Figure 4 :

une vue éclatée de la valve du distributeur de la figure 3 ;

Figure 5 :

une vue éclatée d'un distributeur selon un deuxième mode de réalisation ;

Figure 6 :

une vue éclatée en coupe de la valve du distributeur de la figure 5 ;

Figure 7 :

une vue éclatée en perspective de la valve de la figure 5 ;

Figure 8 :

une vue en coupe de la valve de la figure 7 montée sur la bague de la figure 1 ;

Figure 9 :

les différentes étapes du procédé de remplissage du distributeur du premier mode de réalisation ;

Figure 10 :

les différentes étapes du procédé de remplissage du distributeur du deuxième mode de réalisation ;

Figure 11 :

vue en perspective de la bague de l'invention munie d'une poche ;

Figure 12 :

vue en coupe partielle du distributeur de la figure 3.

The invention is described in more detail below with the aid of the figures which show:

Figure 1 :

a sectional view of a first embodiment of a fixing ring according to the invention;

Figure 2:

an enlarged view (a) of the ring of the figure 1 and (b) a second embodiment of a fixing ring according to the invention;

Figure 3:

an exploded view of a dispenser according to a first embodiment;

Figure 4:

an exploded view of the dispenser valve of the figure 3 ;

Figure 5:

an exploded view of a dispenser according to a second embodiment;

Figure 6:

an exploded sectional view of the dispenser valve of the figure 5 ;

Figure 7:

an exploded perspective view of the valve of the figure 5 ;

Figure 8:

a sectional view of the valve of the figure 7 mounted on the ring of the figure 1 ;

Figure 9:

the different steps of the filling method of the dispenser of the first embodiment;

Figure 10:

the different steps of the method of filling the dispenser of the second embodiment;

Figure 11:

perspective view of the ring of the invention provided with a pocket;

Figure 12:

partial sectional view of the dispenser of the figure 3 .

For the sake of clarity of the description, spatial references such as "lower" and "upper", "above" and "below" or "inside the container" are used. "Outside the container". It should be noted that the ring on the one hand and the valve on the other hand are manufactured independently of each other and independently of the container. The protection includes the ring alone. By Therefore, the spatial references are made with respect to the ring and the valve as they are intended to be used assembled in a pressure distributor whose valve is placed above the container. This does not prevent the dispenser can be used in all positions, including the valve under the container. In addition, the valve, the ring and the container all have a certain symmetry of rotation about an axis (A) passing through the rod, the ring and the container. This axis is visible at figure 3 . The terms "axial" and "radial" refer to this axis and mean parallel and perpendicular to this axis respectively.

The invention relates to a method of pressurizing a dispenser with a valve and an inner bag. For this, a special ring has been developed. In the embodiments shown in the figures, the valve used is a valve with a large flow rate. Those skilled in the art however understand that any type of valve can be used, including metering valves, or even traditional valves with which a filling through the valve would be possible. Dispensers with pouches consist essentially of a container, a valve, a fixing ring and a pocket attached to the fixing ring.

A fixing ring generally consists of a tubular central portion (31) on the outer face of which is fixed the pocket (4). The cross section of this central portion is smaller than the section of the opening (11) of the container neck, so that it can freely enter this opening. The central portion (31) is surmounted by a collar (32) flaring away from the axis (A) and whose outer edge has a diameter greater than the diameter of the opening (11) of the neck of the container (1). This collar serves essentially to limit the penetration of the ring into the container. It also serves to seal on the one hand between the cup and the ring and on the other hand between the container and the ring. Between the central portion (31) and the flange (32) there is a junction portion (33) whose cross-section is also smaller than the section of the opening (11) of the neck of the container, so that it can to penetrate freely into the opening. The cross section of this joining portion is generally greater than the cross section of the central portion (31) although it is not imperative.

In addition to these main elements, the ring may also be provided with a tenon for fixing for example a dip tube. It can also be provided with anti-sag means (34), for example in the form of one or more parallel helical elements (341) extending over part or all of the depth of the pocket. Ways anti-sagging may be an integral part of the ring as in the present example, or be fixed to a tenon, for example by fixing force or by screwing. They can also be welded by ultrasound or any other suitable method.

Traditionally, the filling of a dispenser equipped with a large flow valve and an internal pocket begins by placing the ring in the container so that it bears with its flange (32) on the edge (12) of the opening (11) of the neck of the container. The product to be packaged is introduced into the bag via the central channel (35) passing through at least the junction portion (33) and the central portion (31) of the ring. The valve is then introduced into the central channel (35) until the peripheral edge (231) of the cup (23) comes into contact with the flange (32) of the ring and the rolled edge (12) surrounding the opening (11) of the neck of the container. At this point, the cup is dug or crimped on the neck so as to seal both between the ring and the cup and between the ring and the rolled edge (12).

When the dispenser is filled, the ring is wedged between the neck of the container (1) and the cup (23). The product to be packaged is in the bag (4) while the propellant is in the space between the bag and the wall of the container (1). In dispensers for viscous products without a bag, pressurizing is done before the valve is attached to the container. For this, the cup is held above the neck of the container forming an annular gap between the cup and the rolled edge of the container. The gas can then be introduced into the container via this annular slot. In the case of a dispenser with an internal pocket, keeping the cup above the neck of the container is not sufficient, because the slot thus obtained is located between the cup (23) and the flange (32) of the ring so that the gas would enter the pocket and not in the space between the pocket and the wall of the container. The collar (32) of the ring having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the cup, it is not accessible when the cup is placed on it. It is therefore not possible to grasp the ring to lift it and form a slot between the ring and the rolled edge (12) of the container. That is why the pressurization of the distributors with a large-volume valve and an inner bag can only be done via an opening in the bottom of the container.

The method of the invention provides for the passage of gas through passages located between the outer face of the ring and the neck of the container, before permanently driving the ring and the valve to close the dispenser, then to fix tightly the cup to the container.

For this, the ring (3a, 3b) of the invention is provided on the outer face of its junction portion (33) of one or more passages (361). These passages are limited to the junction portion, that is to say, they continue neither along or beyond the collar, nor along the central portion on which is fixed the pocket. In addition, the passages are dimensioned so that, when the ring is placed in the opening (11) of a container with its passages (361) located at the height of the rolled edge (12) of the opening (11) of the container, the passage or passages extend on either side of the edge (12) of the opening (11). This situation is clearly visible, in particular figures 9vi , 10vi and 10vii . The passages thus each form a path bringing into contact the portion of the outer face of the ring located outside the container and the portion of the outer face of the ring located inside the container. In the example presented here, the passages take the form of vertical grooves (361) made on the outer face of the wall of the ring. These grooves are made in a portion of the wall of the joining portion (33). Their height is such that when the ring is placed in the opening of the container with its passages located at the height of the rolled edge (12), these passages protrude above and below the rolled edge. When the dispenser is ready for use, the joining part and the passages are inside the container, outside the pocket. They play no role, so that the presence of the passages (361) in this part has no effect on the final seal of the dispenser. This basic version of the ring according to the invention is represented on the figure 2b .

In an alternative embodiment not shown, there is only one passage that goes around the entire ring. For this, the cross section of the joining portion must, at least over part of its height, be such that, when the ring is in the pressurized position, an annular free space is formed between the edge of the opening and the wall of the joining part at this passage.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention shown in the figure 2a , the ring (3b) is further provided with a shoulder (36) located in the joining portion (33). This shoulder (36) is parallel to the flange (32) and has a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the opening (11) of the container so that the ring can be placed in an intermediate position, resting with this shoulder (36). ) on the rolled edge (12) of the container. The passages (361) pass through the shoulder. The passages and the shoulder (36) are dimensioned so that when the ring bears with its shoulder against the rolled edge of the opening, the gas can flow freely from the outside of the container inwards through these passages. In the filled state, the shoulder (36) plays no part role, so that the presence of the passages (361) in this shoulder has no effect on the final seal.

The pocket (4) is fixed, preferably by welding, on the outer face of the central portion (31) of the ring. To facilitate this attachment and ensure a high resistance, it can be provided on the outer surface of the central portion two fins (312) vertical and pointed, placed opposite to each other. These fins give the central portion a radial section (that is to say, perpendicular to the axis (A)) shaped boat. It should be understood that the radial section is substantially diamond-shaped whose angles at the ends of the small diagonal are obtuse and rounded, while the angles at the ends of the large diagonal are acute and pointed. The boat cross section is smaller than the section of the container opening, and generally smaller than the cross section of the junction portion, which itself is generally of round section.

Two ways of proceeding are possible to put under pressure the distributors provided with a ring according to the invention.

• Étape (a) la bague (3b) de l'invention est placée dans le récipient (1). Cette bague est munie d'une poche (4) qui peut être enroulée autour de l'axe (A) et maintenue dans cette position par une bande autocollante pouvant facilement se rompre. Cette étape est schématiquement représentée à la figure 9(i). La bague n'est pas entièrement enfoncée dans le récipient, mais seulement posée dans une position intermédiaire avec son épaulement (36) contre le bord roulé (12) du récipient. La poche se trouve à l'intérieur du récipient.
• Étape (b) La tête de remplissage est ensuite introduite dans le canal central (35) et le produit à conditionner est versé dans la poche qui se déroule au fur et à mesure du remplissage. La tête de remplissage est conçue de telle sorte qu'elle prend appui contre la paroi interne du canal central (35) en assurant l'étanchéité vis-à-vis de l'extérieur. Cette étape est représentée schématiquement à la figure 9(ii). À la fin du remplissage, la tête de remplissage est écartée.
• Étape (c) La valve (2a ; 2b) est alors placée dans la partie supérieure du canal central (35) de la bague de telle sorte que le bord périphérique (231) de la coupelle soit en appui sur la collerette (32) de la bague. Cette étape est visible à la figure 9(iii).
• Étape (d) Dans ce premier mode de réalisation, la bague (3b) repose sur le bord roulé du col du récipient en appui sur son épaulement (36). Il n'est donc pas nécessaire de la déplacer. La mise sous pression peut être réalisée directement après l'étape (c) au cours de l'étape (e).
• Étape (e) La mise sous pression peut commencer. La coupelle est maintenue de force en appui sur la collerette de telle sorte qu'une jonction étanche est formée entre les deux pièces. Pour cela, il faut faire attention à ne pas appuyer trop fort sur la bague pour ne pas risquer de l'enfoncer dans le récipient au-delà de son épaulement. Pour augmenter l'étanchéité entre la coupelle et la collerette (32) de la bague, un joint peut être placé dans le fond du bord périphérique de la coupelle. Cependant, la bague étant en général dans une matière plastique suffisamment souple, elle peut assurer elle-même cette fonction. Le gaz pénètre à l'intérieur du récipient en passant par les passages (361). Il se trouve alors dans l'espace compris entre la poche et la paroi du récipient. Sous l'effet de la pression du gaz, la bague est repoussée contre la coupelle augmentant ainsi l'étanchéité entre la bague et la coupelle. L'étanchéité entre la collerette (32) et le bord périphérique de la coupelle étant assurée par le maintien en place de force de la coupelle sur la collerette, le gaz ne peut pas pénétrer dans la poche. Cette étape est représentée à la figure 9(iv), un agrandissement du passage du gaz étant représenté à la figure 9(vi).
• Étape (f) Une fois la mise sous pression terminée, une pression est exercée sur la coupelle pour forcer la bague à pénétrer entièrement dans le récipient malgré l'effet de retenue de son épaulement (36). Lorsque l'épaulement (36) est passé à l'intérieur du récipient, la valve, et avec elle la bague poussée par la coupelle de la valve, continuent de descendre dans le récipient jusqu'à ce que la collerette (32) de la bague et le bord périphérique (231) de la coupelle viennent prendre appui contre le bord roulé (12) du récipient. La bague se trouve alors dans la position basse comme cela est représenté à la figure 9(v).
• Étape (g) À ce stade du remplissage, il est possible de fixer définitivement la coupelle sur le récipient. Cette fixation peut se faire de différentes manières selon les matériaux utilisés. Si la coupelle est métallique, elle peut être dudgeonnée sur le récipient. Dans ce cas, la paroi du bord périphérique de la coupelle est refoulée vers l'extérieur en direction du bord inférieur du bord roulé (12) de sorte que la paroi vient épouser la forme du bord roulé en coinçant entre eux de façon étanche la collerette (32). Il serait également possible de la sertir plutôt que de la dudgeonner. Si la coupelle et le récipient sont en plastique, il est possible de les souder ensemble. En raison de l'étanchéité suite au dudgeonnage ou du sertissage aussi bien entre la bague et la coupelle, qu'entre la bague et le bord roulé (12), le canal intérieur (35) de la bague et le contenu de la poche sont isolés de l'extérieur non seulement au niveau de la valve, mais également au niveau du joint formé par le contact entre la collerette et le bord périphérique (231) de la coupelle. De même, l'espace situé entre le récipient et la poche est isolé de l'extérieur par le joint formé par la collerette (32) et le bord roulé (12) du récipient.

In a first embodiment presented to the figure 9 a fixing ring (3b) provided with a shoulder (36) as shown in FIG. Figures 1 and 2a . The filling steps are as follows:

• Step (a) the ring (3b) of the invention is placed in the container (1). This ring is provided with a pocket (4) which can be wound around the axis (A) and held in this position by a self-adhesive strip that can easily break. This step is schematically represented in the Figure 9 (i) . The ring is not fully seated in the container, but only placed in an intermediate position with its shoulder (36) against the rolled edge (12) of the container. The pocket is inside the container.
• Step (b) The filling head is then introduced into the central channel (35) and the product to be packaged is poured into the pocket that unfolds as filling. The filling head is designed such that it bears against the inner wall of the central channel (35) sealing against the outside. This step is schematically represented in Figure 9 (ii) . At the end of filling, the filling head is discarded.
• Step (c) The valve (2a; 2b) is then placed in the upper part of the central channel (35) of the ring so that the peripheral edge (231) of the cup is resting on the flange (32) of the ring. This step is visible at Figure 9 (iii) .
• Step (d) In this first embodiment, the ring (3b) rests on the rolled edge of the neck of the container resting on its shoulder (36). It is not necessary to move it. The pressurization can be carried out directly after step (c) during step (e).
• Step (e) Pressurization can begin. The cup is held by force against the flange so that a tight junction is formed between the two parts. To do this, be careful not to press too hard on the ring to avoid the risk of pushing it into the container beyond its shoulder. To increase the seal between the cup and the flange (32) of the ring, a seal can be placed in the bottom of the peripheral edge of the cup. However, since the ring is generally made of a sufficiently flexible plastic material, it can ensure this function itself. The gas enters the interior of the container through the passages (361). It is then in the space between the pocket and the wall of the container. Under the effect of the gas pressure, the ring is pushed against the cup thus increasing the seal between the ring and the cup. Since the seal between the flange (32) and the peripheral edge of the cup is ensured by holding the cup in place on the collar, the gas can not penetrate into the pocket. This step is represented at Figure 9 (iv) , an enlargement of the gas passage being represented at the Figure 9 (vi) .
• Step (f) Once pressurization is complete, pressure is exerted on the cup to force the ring to fully penetrate the container despite the retaining effect of its shoulder (36). When the shoulder (36) is passed inside the container, the valve, and with it the ring pushed by the cup of the valve, continue to descend into the container until the collar (32) of the ring and the peripheral edge (231) of the cup are supported against the rolled edge (12) of the container. The ring is then in the low position as shown in FIG. Figure 9 (v) .
• Step (g) At this stage of filling, it is possible to permanently fix the cup on the container. This attachment can be done in different ways depending on the materials used. If the cup is metallic, it can be dug out on the container. In this case, the wall of the peripheral edge of the cup is pushed outwards in the direction of the lower edge of the rolled edge (12) so that the wall comes to conform to the shape of the rolled edge by wedging between them tightens the flange (32). It would also be possible to crimp it rather than dudge it. If the cup and the container are made of plastic, it is possible to weld them together. Due to the tightness due to the swaging or crimping both between the ring and the cup, and between the ring and the rolled edge (12), the inner channel (35) of the ring and the contents of the pocket are isolated from the outside not only at the valve, but also at the seal formed by the contact between the flange and the peripheral edge (231) of the cup. Similarly, the space between the container and the bag is insulated from the outside by the seal formed by the flange (32) and the rolled edge (12) of the container.

A second way of proceeding is presented to the figure 10 . For this second way of proceeding, it is possible to use a ring with or without a shoulder (36). Although the figure 10 shows the method on the example of the ring (3b) with shoulder, the skilled person understands that it plays no role and that the method can be performed with a base ring (3a). This second method makes it possible to use the filling machines in which the cup is raised to pass the gas between the cup and the rolled edge. For this embodiment, it is necessary to use a particular valve. While for the first embodiment a conventional valve, for example a traditional high flow valve consisting of a rod (21), a seal for PU valve (22) and a cup (23) as is represented on the figure 4 is sufficient, it is necessary for the second embodiment to provide on the valve means for securing the latter to the ring. In the example presented on Figures 5 to 8 , the fixing means are constituted by a nozzle (24) attached to the lower end of the stem (21) of the valve. The tip is provided on its upper part with a connecting ring (241) and on its lower part with one or more hooks (242). The lower end of the rod (21) is provided with a pin (211) intended to penetrate into the opening of the connecting ring (241) so as to center the two parts before welding together. It goes without saying that other modes of attachment can be envisaged and that it would be possible to give up the centering pin (211). Here too, it would be possible to use any type of valve, such as a metering valve or a conventional valve with which filling through the valve could be considered.

• Étape (a) La bague (3a ; 3b) est mise en place dans le récipient (1). Cette bague est munie d'une poche (4) qui peut être enroulée autour de l'axe (A) et maintenue dans cette position par une bande autocollante pouvant facilement se rompre. La bague est totalement enfoncée dans le récipient (1) dans la position basse, c'est-à-dire jusqu'à ce que la collerette (32) soit en appui contre le bord roulé (12) du récipient et la poche se trouve dans le récipient. L'épaulement (36), quand il y en a un, se trouve donc à l'intérieur du récipient. Cette étape est visible sur la figure 10(i).
• Étape (b) Le produit à conditionner est alors versé dans la poche via le canal central (35) de la bague. Ici aussi, la tête de remplissage de la machine est introduite dans la partie supérieure du canal central (35) en assurant une jonction étanche avec la paroi du canal central. Cette étape est représentée à la figure 10(ii).
• Étape (c) Après remplissage, la tête de remplissage est écartée. La valve est ensuite mise en place comme cela est représenté schématiquement à la figure 10(iii). Pour cela, la tige (21) munie de l'embout (24) pénètre dans le canal central (35) de la bague jusqu'à ce que le bord périphérique (231) de la coupelle vienne buter contre la collerette (32) de la bague et le bord roulé (12) du récipient. Les crochets (242) de l'embout sont dimensionnés de telle sorte que dans cette position, ils viennent se crocheter derrière des surfaces d'appui réalisées dans la bague. Dans le cas présent, ces surfaces d'appui sont constituées par l'arête inférieure (311) de la partie centrale (31) de la bague (3a, 3b). Cette position est bien visible sur les figures 8 et 10(iii). Après que les crochets se sont encliquetés sur la bague, la valve et la bague ne forment plus qu'une seule pièce et elles ne peuvent plus bouger l'une par rapport à l'autre, au moins dans le sens axial de la bague.
• Étape (d) Il est alors possible de soulever la valve comme dans les procédés traditionnels. Cependant, la valve étant fixée à la bague via les crochets (242), le déplacement vers le haut de la valve entraîne un déplacement identique de la bague et de la poche remplie. En général, le soulèvement de la valve se fait en tirant sur la coupelle (23). Lorsque la bague (3b) est munie d'un épaulement (36), il suffit de soulever la bague jusqu'à ce que cet épaulement se trouve à proximité du bord roulé (12) de l'ouverture du récipient. Il n'est pas nécessaire que l'épaulement ressorte du récipient. Il n'est donc pas nécessaire d'exercer une traction très forte. Cette situation est bien visible sur la droite de la figure 10(vi). Lorsque la bague (3a) n'a pas d'épaulement, la bague est soulevée jusqu'à ce que les passages (361) soient à la hauteur du bord roulé (12) du récipient en s'étendant de part et d'autre de ce bord roulé. Cette situation est bien visible sur la partie droite de la figure 10(vii).
• Étape (e) Une fois la bague (3a, 3b) en position intermédiaire, il est possible de faire pénétrer le gaz sous pression en passant par les passages (361) comme cela est représenté aux figures 10(iv) et 10(vi) pour la bague (3b) avec épaulement, ou 10(vii) pour la bague (3a) sans épaulement. Sous l'effet de la pression du gaz, la bague est collée contre la coupelle et assure ainsi l'étanchéité entre la bague et la coupelle. La jonction entre la collerette (32) de la bague et le bord périphérique (231) de la coupelle étant étanche, le gaz ne peut pas entrer dans la poche, ni le produit à conditionner en sortir.
• Étape (f) Lorsque la mise sous pression est achevée, la valve avec la bague et la poche sont à nouveau redescendues jusqu'à ce que le bord périphérique (231) de la coupelle et la collerette (32) soient en contact avec le bord roulé du récipient. La bague est ainsi à nouveau en position basse comme cela est représenté à la figure 10(v).
• Étape (g) À ce stade du procédé, il est possible de fixer la coupelle sur le récipient. Comme dans le premier procédé, cette fixation peut se faire par exemple en dudgeonnant la coupelle sur le bord roulé ou en la sertissant. Si la coupelle et le récipient sont en plastique, il est également possible de les souder l'un sur l'autre.

The method of the second embodiment proceeds as follows.

• Step (a) The ring (3a; 3b) is placed in the container (1). This ring is provided with a pocket (4) which can be wound around the axis (A) and maintained in this position by a self-adhesive tape that can easily break. The ring is fully inserted into the container (1) in the low position, that is to say until the flange (32) bears against the rolled edge (12) of the container and the pocket is located in the container. The shoulder (36), when there is one, is therefore inside the container. This step is visible on the Figure 10 (i) .
• Step (b) The product to be packaged is then poured into the bag via the central channel (35) of the ring. Here too, the filling head of the machine is introduced into the upper part of the central channel (35) ensuring a tight junction with the wall of the central channel. This step is represented at figure 10 (ii) .
• Step (c) After filling, the filling head is discarded. The valve is then put in place as shown schematically in the Figure 10 (iii) . For this, the rod (21) provided with the nozzle (24) enters the central channel (35) of the ring until the peripheral edge (231) of the cup abuts against the flange (32) of the ring and the rolled edge (12) of the container. The hooks (242) of the nozzle are dimensioned such that in this position, they come to hook behind bearing surfaces made in the ring. In this case, these bearing surfaces are constituted by the lower edge (311) of the central portion (31) of the ring (3a, 3b). This position is clearly visible on figures 8 and 10 (iii) . After the hooks have snapped onto the ring, the valve and the ring form a single piece and they can not move relative to each other, at least in the axial direction of the ring.
• Step (d) It is then possible to lift the valve as in traditional methods. However, the valve being attached to the ring via the hooks (242), the upward movement of the valve causes the same displacement of the ring and the filled bag. In general, the lifting of the valve is done by pulling on the cup (23). When the ring (3b) is provided with a shoulder (36), simply lift the ring until this shoulder is close to the rolled edge (12) of the opening of the container. It is not necessary for the shoulder to come out of the container. It is therefore not necessary to exercise a very strong traction. This situation is clearly visible on the right of the Figure 10 (vi) . When the ring (3a) has no shoulder, the ring is raised until the passages (361) are at the level of the rolled edge (12) of the container extending from both sides from this rolled edge. This situation is clearly visible on the right side of the figure 10 (vii) .
• Step (e) Once the ring (3a, 3b) in the intermediate position, it is possible to penetrate the pressurized gas through the passages (361) as shown in FIGS. Figures 10 (iv) and 10 (vi) for the ring (3b) with shoulder, or 10 (vii) for the ring (3a) without shoulder. Under the effect of the pressure of the gas, the ring is glued against the cup and thus ensures the seal between the ring and the cup. The junction between the collar (32) of the ring and the peripheral edge (231) of the cup being sealed, the gas can not enter the bag, nor the product to be conditioned out.
• Step (f) When the pressurization is complete, the valve with the ring and the pocket is again descended until the peripheral edge (231) of the cup and the collar (32) are in contact with the edge rolled from the container. The ring is thus again in the lower position as shown in FIG. figure 10 (v) .
• Step (g) At this stage of the process, it is possible to attach the cup to the container. As in the first method, this attachment can be done for example by dudonneronnant the cup on the rolled edge or crimping. If the cup and the container are made of plastic, it is also possible to weld them to one another.

Although the figures show dispensers equipped with a high-volume valve, it goes without saying that it would be possible to use other types of valve, such as metering valves, with which a filling of the bag via the valve it is not possible, or even normal valves, with which filling by the valve would be feasible.

List of references:

• 1 container
  • 11 Opening the container
  • 12 Rolled edge surrounding the opening
• 2a / b High Flow Valve
  • 21 Rod
    • 211 Connecting post
  • 22 PU valve seal
  • 23 cup
    • 231 Perimeter edge of the cup
  • 24 Valve / ring fastener
    • 241 Connecting ring
    • 242 Hooks
• 3a / b Fixing ring
  • 31 Central part
    • 311 Lower edge of the central portion
    • 312 Ailettes
  • 32 Collerette
  • 33 Joining Party
  • 34 Anti-sag means
    • 341 Helical elements
  • 35 Central Canal
  • 36 Shoulder
    • 361 Passages for gas
• 4 Pocket

Claims (15)

1. Fastening ring (3a; 3b) for a pressurized dispenser made up of a container provided with an opening (11), a valve mounted on a valve cup provided with a peripheral edge (231), and a fastening ring on which is fastened a pouch, said fastening ring being provided with a central portion (31) having an exterior face adapted for fastening a pouch (4) and whose transverse cross-section is smaller than the opening (11) of the container for which the ring is intended, and a flange (32) for fastening the ring between the edge of the opening (11) of the container and the peripheral edge (231) of the cup of the valve and/or for ensuring sealing between the ring and the valve cup and/or between the ring and the edge of the opening (11) of the container, the diameter of the flange (32) being greater than the diameter of the opening (11) of the container for which the ring is intended, characterized in that the ring is provided with a junction portion (33) located between the central portion (31) and the flange (32) and on the exterior face of which is formed at least one passage (361), the passage or passages (361) not extending beyond said junction portion and being dimensioned so that, when the ring is placed in the opening (11) of a container with its passage or passages located at the height of the edge of the opening (11) of the container, the passage or passages extend on both sides of the edge of the opening (11) and each passage forms a path setting in contact the portion of the exterior face of the ring located outside the container and the portion of the exterior face of the ring located inside the container.
2. Fastening ring (3a; 3b) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the flange is dimensioned so as to ensure sealing between the ring and the peripheral edge of the valve cup when the ring is placed in the opening (11) of a container with its passage or passages located at the height of the edge of the opening (11) of the container and when gas is introduced into the container through the passage or passages (361).
3. Fastening ring (3a; 3b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with a single annular passage which extends completely around the ring.
4. Fastening ring (3a, 3b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is further provided with at least one of the following elements: (i) a tenon for attaching a dip tube, (ii) a tenon for attaching anti-collapse means, (iii) anti-collapse means (34, 341), (iv) fins (312) to facilitate fastening a pouch.
5. Fastening ring (3a; 3b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with a flexible pouch (4) fastened to its central portion (31).
6. Fastening ring (3b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided on its exterior face at the passage or passages (361) with a shoulder (36) parallel to the flange (32), the outer diameter of the shoulder being greater than the diameter of the opening (11) of the container and the height of the shoulder being so that the passage or passages (361) extend on both sides of the shoulder.
7. Fastening ring (3a; 3b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with a valve (2b) equipped with means (24, 241, 242) for fastening it on the fastening ring (3a; 3b) so that when the valve (2b) is mounted in the ring (3a; 3b), it is immobilized with respect to the ring at least in axial direction.
8. Fastening ring (3a; 3b) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fastening means of the valve (2b) on the ring (3a; 3b) are constituted by an end-piece (24) attached to the lower end (211) of the stem (21) of the valve, the end-piece being provided with at least one hook (242) dimensioned so that, when the valve is mounted in the ring with the peripheral edge (231) of its valve cup (23) bearing against the flange (32) of the ring, the hook or hooks (242) are snapped behind bearing surfaces formed on the ring, preferably behind the lower edge (311) of the central portion (31) of the ring, so that when the valve (2b) is mounted in the ring (3a; 3b), it is immobilized with respect to the ring at least in axial direction.
9. Method of pressurizing a pressurized dispenser made up of a container, a valve mounted on a valve cup, and a fastening ring according to one of the preceding claims and on which is fastened a pouch, characterized by following steps:

   (a) introducing the ring (3a; 3b) in the container (1) so that the pouch is located inside the container;

   (b) filling the pouch (4) with the product to be packaged;

   (c) placing the valve (2a; 2b) in the ring (3a; 3b) so that the peripheral edge (231) of the cup of the valve bears against the flange (32) of the ring;

   (d) moving the ring (3a; 3b) if necessary so that the passage or passages (361) for the gas extend on both sides of the edge of the opening (11) of the container;

   (e) introducing the gas into the container (1) through the passage or passages (361);

   (f) pushing down the assembly constituted by the ring (3a; 3b) and the valve (2a; 2b) until the peripheral edge (231) of the valve cup and the flange (32) are in contact with the container;

   (g) sealingly fastening the valve cup (23) on the container (1) while wedging the flange (32) of the ring between them.
10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that for fastening the valve cup (23) on the container in step (g), the valve cup is swaged, crimped or welded to the container (1).
11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that in step (a), the ring (3b) is introduced into the container until the passage or passages (361) are at the height of the edge of the opening (11) of the container while extending on both sides of said edge so that it is not necessary to move the ring in step (d).
12. Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that in step (a), the ring (3a; 3b) is introduced into the container until its flange (32) bears against the edge (11) of the opening of the container, and in that in step (d), the ring (3a; 3b) is partially taken out of the container until the passage or passages (361) are at the height of the edge of the opening (11) of the container while extending on both sides of said edge.
13. Method according to claim 12 applied to a pressurized dispenser equipped with a valve provided with fastening means, characterized in that in step (c), the valve (2b) is fastened to the ring (3a; 3b) by means of its fastening means (24).
14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the valve is fastened to the ring in step (c) by snap-fastening of hooks (242) behind bearing surfaces (311) made in the ring.
15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that for partially taking the ring (3a; 3b) out of the container in step (d), a traction is exerted on the valve cup (23) of the valve.

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