EP3310690B1 - Method for manufacturing an aerosol valve, and aerosol valve - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a cup / valve assembly for an aerosol container comprising a cup, a valve body, a rod, a spring, an inner seal and means for retaining the stem in the container. valve body. The cup has in its center an opening through which the stem protrudes. The rod comprises a bead on its outer cylindrical face and an inner duct which has an upper opening at its upper end and at least one lateral orifice at its lower end, the side orifices being placed between the bead and the opening top of the inner duct. The valve body has a cylindrical portion with an opening at its upper end defining a top edge. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a cup / valve assembly.

The cup / valve assemblies as described in the preamble are well known, for example FR 2,508,136 . They are generally made of an aluminum cup which is dug on the upper crown of a valve body by enclosing a portion of the stem in the valve body. These sets are commonly used and pose the problem of recycling used aerosols. Indeed, the stem and the valve body are generally plastic, while the cup and the spring are metallic.

Of the document US 2008/093393 A1 there is known a cup / valve assembly in which the cup and the valve body form an integral piece, and the rod is retained in the valve body by a ring snapped into the opening of the valve body.

The object of the invention is to simplify the recycling of such cup / valve assemblies. Another objective is to simplify their manufacture.

• le corps de valve est fixé à l'ouverture de la coupelle par des moyens de fixation en laissant libre la totalité de l'ouverture de la partie cylindrique,
• la partie de la tige allant du bourrelet jusqu'à l'extrémité opposée au conduit intérieur est située à l'intérieur du corps de valve, en appui contre le ressort,
• les moyens pour retenir la tige dans le corps de valve sont constitués par une bague de retenue qui entoure, sans la serrer, la partie de la tige située entre le ou les orifices latéraux et l'ouverture supérieure du conduit, le diamètre extérieur de la bague de retenue étant supérieur au diamètre de l'ouverture et le diamètre intérieur de la bague de retenue étant inférieur au diamètre du bourrelet de la tige, la bague de retenue étant fixée par des moyens de fixation à la coupelle, le joint d'étanchéité intérieur étant interposé entre la bague de retenue et l'arête sommitale de la partie cylindrique du corps de valve de sorte que, en position fermée de la valve, le joint intérieur enserre la tige au niveau du ou des orifices latéraux en les bouchant et que le ressort repousse la tige en plaçant son bourrelet en appui contre le joint d'étanchéité. En fixant le corps de valve sur la coupelle de sorte à laisser la totalité de l'ouverture libre, il est possible d'insérer la tige, et notamment son bourrelet, dans le corps de valve après fixation du corps de valve sur la coupelle. Les moyens de retenue de la tige ne sont donc pas constitués par la coupelle, comme cela se fait traditionnellement, mais par une bague de retenue, distincte de la coupelle, qui est fixée sur la coupelle après insertion de la tige dans le corps de valve.

These objectives are achieved according to the invention because

• the valve body is fixed to the opening of the cup by fixing means, leaving all the opening of the cylindrical part free,
• the portion of the rod from the bead to the end opposite the inner conduit is located inside the valve body, bearing against the spring,
• the means for retaining the rod in the valve body are constituted by a retaining ring which surrounds, without tightening, the part of the rod situated between the lateral orifice (s) and the upper opening of the conduit, the outer diameter of the retaining ring being greater than the diameter of the opening and the inner diameter of the retaining ring being smaller than the diameter of the bead of the rod, the retaining ring being fixed by means of fixing to the cup, the seal interior being interposed between the retaining ring and the top edge of the cylindrical portion of the valve body so that, in the closed position of the valve, the inner seal encloses the rod at or at the side openings by blocking them and the spring pushes the rod by placing its bead in support against the seal. By fixing the valve body on the cup so as to leave the entire opening free, it is possible to insert the rod, including its bead, in the valve body after fixing the valve body on the cup. The retaining means of the rod are therefore not constituted by the cup, as is traditionally done, but by a retaining ring, separate from the cup, which is fixed on the cup after insertion of the rod into the valve body. .

To prevent the retaining ring from protruding above the cup, it is preferable that said ring is placed in a recess provided on the upper face of the cup and which surrounds the opening. It will be possible to choose the height of the recess and that of the retaining ring so that, after fixation of the latter, its upper face is flush with the upper face of the cup or is set back from the latter. The bottom of the recess preferably forms a radial annular surface against which bears the retaining ring.

To facilitate the assembly of the cup / valve assembly, means are provided for centering the retaining ring with respect to the cup. These centering means are constituted by a ring placed on the face of the retaining ring directed towards the cup, preferably at its periphery. This ring is dimensioned to penetrate into a recess located on the cup and surrounding and / or surmounting the opening, preferably in a groove made in the bottom of a recess. In order to facilitate the centering, the recess widens towards the retaining ring, at least in its upper part. In addition to or instead of the flaring of the recess, it is also possible that the crown narrows towards the cup, at least in its lower part. The bottom of the recess can form a radial annular surface against which bears the ring of the retaining ring. A thickness of material may be provided on the ring of the retaining ring or in the throat of the cup to serve as a seal.

In a first embodiment, the means for fixing the valve body to the opening of the cup are constituted by bridges placed between the outer face of the cylindrical portion of the valve body and the opening of the cup, said means fixing the valve body being designed such that the summit ridge of the cylindrical part valve body is located lower than the interface between the retaining ring and the cup at the opening of the cup.

In another variant, the means for fixing the valve body to the opening of the cup are constituted by latching means for snapping the valve body onto the cup, the latching means being designed so that the The top edge of the cylindrical portion of the valve body is located lower than the interface between the retaining ring and the cup at the opening of the cup. In both variants, if the retaining ring is fixed in a recess, the apex edge is located lower than the bottom of the recess at the opening of the cup.

A simple solution for fixing the retaining ring is to weld it onto the cup. For this, we can provide an extra material thickness on the retaining ring or on the cup to serve as a weld joint. The retaining ring may be provided with a crown on its lower face, preferably at its periphery, and the recess may be provided with an annular groove of dimensions corresponding to those of the ring of the retaining ring, an extra thickness of material that can be provided on the ring of the retaining ring or in the groove of the cup to serve as a seal.

In order to fix a dip tube, a metering tank, anti-sag means or any other similar device, it may be useful to provide the valve body with a tubing placed in the extension of the cylindrical part, as opposed to the upper opening, a passage opening being provided to bring into contact the inside of the tubing and the inside of the cylindrical portion.

We can fix a pocket on the valve body. Similarly, it may be provided on the cup means for fixing it on the neck of a housing to form an aerosol container.

In order to allow easy recycling of the cup / valve assembly, the cup, the valve body, the rod and / or the retaining ring may be made of a thermoplastic material, the spring made of stainless steel or a thermoplastic material.

1. (a) préparation d'une unité coupelle/corps de valve en fixant, à l'aide de moyens de fixation, le corps de valve dans l'ouverture centrale de la coupelle de telle sorte que l'ouverture supérieure de la partie cylindrique reste libre ;
2. (b) mise en place du joint d'étanchéité sur la partie de la tige située entre le bourrelet et l'ouverture supérieure ;
3. (c) introduction du ressort dans le corps de valve ;
4. (d) introduction dans le corps de valve de la partie de la tige allant depuis le bourrelet jusqu'à l'extrémité opposée à l'ouverture supérieure, jusqu'à ce qu'elle soit en appui contre le ressort ;
5. (e) mise en place d'une bague de retenue sur la partie de la tige située entre l'ouverture supérieure du conduit et le ou les orifices latéraux ou entre l'ouverture supérieure du conduit et le joint s'il est déjà monté ;
6. (f) descente de la bague de retenue avec centrage de la bague de retenue (5) par rapport à la coupelle (2) en faisant pénétrer la couronne (54) de la bague de retenue dans l'évidement (24) de la coupelle jusqu'à ce que la bague de retenue entre en contact avec la face supérieure de la coupelle en entourant l'ouverture et en bloquant le joint d'étanchéité intérieur entre la bague de retenue et l'arête sommitale de la partie cylindrique du corps de valve de sorte que, en position fermée de la valve, le joint enserre la tige au niveau du ou des orifices latéraux en les bouchant et que le ressort repousse la tige en plaçant son bourrelet en appui contre le joint d'étanchéité ;
7. (g) fixation de la bague de retenue sur la bague ;
   l'ordre des étapes (a) à (e) n'étant pas fixé, si ce n'est que l'étape (d) est réalisée postérieurement à l'étape (c).

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a cup / valve assembly according to the invention. This process comprises the following steps:

1. (a) preparing a cup / valve body unit by fixing, by means of fixing means, the valve body in the central opening of the cup so that the upper opening of the cylindrical portion remains free;
2. (b) placing the seal on the portion of the rod located between the bead and the upper opening;
3. (c) introducing the spring into the valve body;
4. (d) introducing into the valve body the portion of the rod from the bead to the end opposite the upper opening, until it bears against the spring;
5. (e) placing a retaining ring on the portion of the shank located between the top opening of the conduit and the at least one side opening or between the top opening of the conduit and the seal if it is already mounted;
6. (f) lowering the retaining ring with centering of the retaining ring (5) with respect to the cup (2) by penetrating the ring (54) of the retaining ring into the recess (24) of the cup until the retaining ring makes contact with the upper face of the cup by surrounding the opening and blocking the inner seal between the retaining ring and the top edge of the cylindrical portion of the barrel. valve so that, in the closed position of the valve, the seal encloses the rod at the or side openings by plugging them and that the spring pushes the rod by placing its flange against the support against the seal;
7. (g) attaching the retaining ring to the ring;
   the order of steps (a) to (e) not being fixed, except that step (d) is performed after step (c).

• à l'étape (a), de mouler ensemble en une seule pièce la coupelle et le corps de valve, le corps de valve étant relié à la coupelle de préférence par des ponts au niveau de l'ouverture ; ou bien
• à l'étape (a), d'encliqueter le corps de valve sur la coupelle à l'aide de moyens d'encliquetage.

To simplify the process, it will be possible to provide:

• in step (a), integrally molding the cup and the valve body in one piece, the valve body being preferably connected to the cup by bridges at the opening; or
• in step (a), snap the valve body onto the cup by means of latching means.

Similarly, it is preferable in step (e), to mold together in one piece the rod and the retaining ring, the retaining ring being connected to the rod by bridges that can easily give way, the retaining ring being located between the orifices and the upper opening of the inner duct.

Finally, it is preferable, in step (g), to fix the retaining ring on the cup by welding, a thickness of material that can be provided on the retaining ring or on the cup to serve as a solder joint.

Figure 1

vue en coupe éclatée des différents éléments constituant la valve ;

Figure 2

vue en coupe d'un ensemble coupelle/valve selon l'invention monté sur un boîtier pour réaliser un récipient aérosol ;

Figure 3

vue en coupe de la valve avant soudage de la bague de retenue ;

Figure 4

vue en coupe de la valve après soudage de la bague de retenue ;

Figure 5

vue en coupe et en perspective de l'unité de coupelle avant montage ;

Figure 6

vue en coupe et en perspective de l'unité de tige avant montage.

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of the following figures:

Figure 1

exploded sectional view of the various elements constituting the valve;

Figure 2

sectional view of a cup / valve assembly according to the invention mounted on a housing for producing an aerosol container;

Figure 3

sectional view of the valve before welding the retaining ring;

Figure 4

sectional view of the valve after welding of the retaining ring;

Figure 5

sectional and perspective view of the cup unit before mounting;

Figure 6

sectional and perspective view of the rod unit before assembly.

The valve of the invention is intended to be made of plastic in order to allow easier recycling of the aerosol container after use. It goes without saying that some parts can however be made in another material, for example metal.

• d'une unité de coupelle (11) constituée d'une coupelle (2) et d'un corps de valve (3),
• d'une unité de tige (12) constituée d'une tige (4) et d'une bague de retenue (5) pour fixer la tige dans le corps de valve (3),
• d'un joint d'étanchéité intérieur (13), et
• d'un ressort (14).

The invention relates to a combined cup / valve assembly (1), as shown in FIG. figure 1 ,

• a cup unit (11) consisting of a cup (2) and a valve body (3),
• a rod unit (12) consisting of a rod (4) and a retaining ring (5) for securing the rod in the valve body (3),
• an inner seal (13), and
• a spring (14).

These parts all have a certain symmetry of rotation about an axis (A) passing through the center of the rod (4) and schematically marked on the figure 1 . The adjectives "radial" and "axial" refer to this axis. In addition, spatial references such as "above" or "below" refer to the position shown in the figures. It goes without saying that the cup / valve assembly of the invention can be used in other positions, including upside down, in which case, what was described as "above" or "below" would be found in the opposite position.

The cup unit (11) combines in one piece the cup (2) and the valve body (3). It would of course be possible to make this unit in the form of two separate parts assembled together by any appropriate means, for example by snapping. The cup conventionally comprises a peripheral edge (21) to fix it on the neck of a housing (6) after interposition, if necessary, an outer seal (22). The underside of the cup may be provided with reinforcing ribs (25).

The cup has at its center an opening (23) which is surrounded on the upper face of the cup, a recess (24) concentric to the opening (23). In the embodiment shown here, the bottom of the recess has an annular groove (241).

The valve body (3) is fixed to the cup at the opening (23). It consists essentially of a cylindrical element (31) open at the top and closed at the bottom by a radial partition wall (32). The cylindrical element is extended by a pipe (33) fixed to the radial wall. An opening (34) is made in the radial wall to contact the inside of the cylinder and the conduit located inside the tubing. L-shaped radial ribs (35) are placed in the bottom of the cylindrical member (31). The vertical branches of the L serve to guide the spring (14) while the horizontal branches serve as support. The horizontal branches of the L are not touching. In the example presented, they stop at a distance from the orifice (34). The cylindrical element (31) is connected to the cup (2) by bridges (36) made in the upper part of its outer face. These bridges are regularly distributed on the periphery of the cylindrical element and form slots projecting radially outwards and upwards. The upper part of these bridges is connected to the wall of the opening (23). On its top edge, the cylindrical member (31) has an annular rib (37) for sealing with the inner seal (13). The top of the annular rib (37) is located lower than the bottom of the recess (24) at the opening (23). It is possible, however, that the bottom of the recess at the level of the annular groove (241) is at the same level, or even lower, than the top of the annular rib (37). It would also be possible to replace the bridges (36) by a continuous attachment.

The rod unit (12) consists of a rod (4) and a retaining ring (5). To simplify manufacture and assembly, it is preferable that the rod unit is made in one piece. For this, the retaining ring and the rod are molded together and connected by a few fragile bridges (51) which yield easily during assembly. It would of course be possible to manufacture the two elements separately.

The stem (4), also known as stem, consists of a tubular element separated at its center by a radial wall (41) forming an upper duct (42) and a lower conduit (43). One or more orifices (44) are made in the bottom of the upper duct, near the radial wall (41) to bring the interior of this upper duct into contact with the cylindrical outer face of the rod. An annular bead (45) is formed on the cylindrical outer face of the rod, below the orifices (44). This bead (45) is flattened on the side of the orifices (44) so as to form a radial bearing surface (46). In the example presented here, the bead (45) is in the extension of the partition wall (41). The lower duct (43) has no function, and the portion of the tubular element below the radial partition (41) could be full. It serves as guide pin in the spring (14). An annular shoulder (47) is formed in the post which, in the mounted state, acts as a stop for the spring.

The retaining ring (5) has the form of a round plate pierced at its center so as to form a passage (52). The outer diameter of the retaining ring is slightly smaller than the diameter of the recess (24), and in all cases greater than the diameter of the opening (23). The diameter of the passage (52) is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the wall of the upper conduit (42) of the rod. On its underside, it can be placed an extra thickness of material (53) of annular shape to serve as a weld joint during assembly. In the example presented here, the seal is placed on a ring (54) placed at the periphery of the lower face of the retaining ring. This ring penetrates into the annular groove (241) formed in the recess (24) of the cup. The crown may serve as a centering means for centering the retaining ring as it moves toward the cup during assembly. If the retaining ring is not provided with such a ring, it is not necessary to provide annular groove in the recess. The bridges (51) which connect before assembly the rod and the retaining ring are located between the orifices (44) and the top of the rod, for example at about mid-distance.

The inner seal (13) is an annular flat seal whose outer diameter is slightly less than or equal to the diameter of the opening (23) at the junction between the cup and the valve body, and greater than the diameter of the seal. annular rib (37) at the top of the valve body. Its inside diameter is equal to or slightly less than the diameter of the rod at the openings (44).

When assembling the cup / valve assembly, a spring (14) is introduced into the valve body (3) so that it is in the space defined by the vertical branches of the ribs (35), resting on the horizontal branches of these ribs. At the same time, the inner seal (13) is threaded onto the lower part of the post rod. until it is over the bead (45). For this, the underside of the bead is inclined to facilitate the passage of the seal. The latter is then between the bead (45) and the retaining ring (5) always attached to the upper part of the rod. The stem / retaining ring unit provided with the seal is then introduced into the valve body until the lower part of the rod enters the spring and the upper end thereof comes into contact with the spring. annular shoulder (47) of the lower part of the rod. This situation is represented in figure 3 .

The retaining ring is then pushed down and the bridges (51) which connected to the rod (4) yield. The ring is brought into contact with the cup. It takes place in the recess (24) with its thickness of material (53) bearing against the annular radial surface forming the bottom of the recess (24), if any, in the annular groove (241) when there has one as is the case in this example. While going down, the retaining ring pushes down the seal (13) which collapses against the annular rib (37) formed on the summit ridge of the cylindrical element (31) of the valve body. The seal is thus wedged between the lower face of the retaining ring and firstly the radial bearing surface (46) of the bead and secondly the annular rib (37) of the valve body. It is then possible to weld the retaining ring on the cup, for example by ultrasound. This is the situation represented in figure 4 . In this position, the rod is subjected to the pressure of the spring (14) which tends to push it upwards, but it is retained by its bead (45) which abuts against the seal, itself in press against the retaining ring (5). The cup / valve assembly is ready to be mounted on a housing to form an aerosol container (cf. figure 2 ).

When the retaining ring (5) is provided with an annular ring (54) which penetrates into a groove (214) of the recess (24), it is preferable that one or the side walls of this recess are slightly inclined relative to the vertical, at least in their upper part, so that the recess flares upward at least in its upper part. Thus, when the retaining ring (5) is lowered to the cup during assembly, its ring is guided in the recess (24) by the inclined side wall or walls, even if the retaining ring is not exactly coaxial with the recess (24). It would also be possible to tilt the side wall or walls of the annular ring (54) in addition to or instead of the inclination of the side wall or walls of the recess (24), so that the crown would be more narrow at its free end directed towards the cup (2) at its base attached to the plate of the retaining ring. In the example presented here, the recess (24) consists essentially of an upper part intended to receive the main plate of the retaining ring (5) and delimited by an outer side wall and secondly of a lower part formed by the groove (241) intended to receive the ring (54) of the retaining ring and delimited by two side walls and a bottom wall, the outer side wall of the groove being in the extension of the side wall of the upper part in this case. The side wall of the upper part of the recess (24) is slightly inclined relative to the vertical so that the recess flares upwards, as is clearly visible on the Figures 3 and 4 . It would also be possible to provide a groove (241) serving as a recess for the ring (54), without recess for the main plate of the retaining ring (5). In this case, one or both side walls could be inclined relative to the vertical, at least in their upper part, so that the groove flares upwards.

A flexible bag could be attached to the valve body (3) to form a pocket valve. For this, we can provide two opposite fins on the valve body to facilitate the welding of the bag. Due to the crushing of the seal at the annular rib (37) at the top of the valve body, the interior of the valve body is isolated from the space surrounding the valve body, i.e. say of the space between the case and the soft bag.

The different elements are preferably made of a plastic material. For example, one may choose a thermoplastic material for the cup unit and for the rod unit and stainless steel or a thermoplastic material for the spring. The housing shall be of a material compatible with that of the cup if the cup / valve assembly is to be welded to it. For example, PET will be chosen.

The advantage of the cup / valve assembly of the invention lies in the fact that all the parts can be made of plastic, including the spring, which facilitates the recycling of the aerosol container after use. Moreover, by molding in one piece on the one hand the cup unit and on the other hand the rod unit, the number of parts is considerably reduced, which allows a saving of space during storage and allows reduce assembly costs.

List of references:

1

Cup / valve assembly

11

Cup unit

12

Rod unit

13

Internal seal

14

Spring

2

cup

21

Perimeter edge

22

Outer seal

23

Opening

24

obviously

241

Ring groove

25

Reinforcing ribs

3

Valve body

31

Cylindrical element

32

Radial separation wall

33

manifold

34

Opening of passage

35

Radial ribs

36

bridges

37

Annular rib

4

stem

41

Radial wall

42

Upper inner duct

43

Lower inner duct

44

ports

45

Ring bead

46

Radial bearing surface

47

Ring shoulder

5

Retaining ring

51

bridges

52

Passage

53

Material overweight

54

Ring crown

6

Aerosol casing

Claims (14)

1. Cup/valve assembly (1) for an aerosol container, made up of a cup (2), a valve body (3), a stem (4), a spring (14), an inner seal (13) and means for retaining the stem (4) in the valve body (3), the cup (2) having at its center an opening (23) through which the stem protrudes, the stem (4) comprising a bulge (45) on its outer cylindrical face and an inner conduit (42) having an upper opening at its upper end and at least one lateral orifice (44) at its lower end, the lateral orifice or orifices (44) being placed between the bulge and the upper opening of the inner conduit (42), the valve body having a cylindrical portion (31) provided with an opening at its upper end defining a top edge,

   - wherein the valve body (3) is fixed to the opening (23) of the cup by fixing means (36), leaving the opening of the cylindrical portion (31) free,

   - wherein the portion of the stem that extends from the bulge (45) to the end opposite the inner conduit is located inside the valve body (3), bearing against the spring (14),

   - wherein the means for retaining the stem in the valve body are constituted by a retaining ring (5) that surrounds, without tightening, the portion of the stem located between the lateral orifice or orifices (44) and the upper opening of the conduit (42), the outer diameter of the retaining ring being greater than the diameter of the opening (23) and the inner diameter of the retaining ring being smaller than the diameter of the bulge (45) of the stem, the retaining ring being fixed to the cup (2) by fixing means, the inner seal (13) being interposed between the retaining ring (5) and the top edge of the cylindrical portion (31) of the valve body so that, in the closed position of the valve, the inner seal (13) fits tightly around the stem in the area of the lateral orifice or orifices (44) and obstructs them, and the spring pushes the stem back and places its bulge (45) bearing against the seal (13).
   characterized in that

   - centering means are provided to facilitate the centering of the retaining ring (5) relative to the cup (2), and in that

   - the centering means are constituted by a crown (54) placed on the face of the retaining ring (5) oriented toward the cup (2), this crown being dimensioned to penetrate into a recess (24) located in the cup and surrounding the opening (23), preferably into a groove (241) formed in the bottom of the recess (24), wherein the recess can widen in the direction of the retaining ring, at least in its upper portion, and/or the ring (54) can narrow in the direction of the cup, at least in its lower portion, wherein an extra thickness of material (53) can be provided on the crown (54) of the retaining ring or in the groove of the cup (2) to serve as a weld seam.
2. Cup/valve assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the retaining ring (5) is placed in a recess (24) provided on the upper face of the cup (2) and that surrounds the opening (23), wherein the height of the recess (24) and the height of the retaining ring (5) can be selected so that, after fixation of the latter, its upper face is flush with the upper face of the cup or is set back therefrom.
3. Cup/valve assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for fixing the valve body (3) to the opening (23) of the cup (2) are constituted by bridges (36) placed between the outer face of the cylindrical portion (31) of the valve body and the opening (23) of the cup, said means for fixing the valve body being designed so that the top edge of the cylindrical portion (31) of the valve body is located lower than the interface between the retaining ring (5) and the cup (2) at the level of the opening (23) of the cup.
4. Cup/valve assembly according to one of claims 1 a 2, characterized in that the means for fixing the valve body (3) to the opening (23) of the cup (2) are constituted by snapping means for snapping the valve body onto the cup, the snapping means being designed so that the top edge of the cylindrical portion (31) of the valve body is located lower than the interface between the retaining ring (5) and the cup (2) at the level of the opening (23) of the cup.
5. Cup/valve assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining ring (5) is fixed to the cup (2) by welding, wherein an extra thickness of material (53) can be provided on the retaining ring or on the cup (2) to serve as a weld seam.
6. Cup/valve assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve body (3) is provided with a tube (33) placed in the extension of the cylindrical portion (31), opposite the upper opening, a passage opening (34) being provided to put in contact the inside of the tube and the inside of the cylindrical portion (31).
7. Cup/valve assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pouch is fixed on the valve body.
8. Cup/valve assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cup is provided with means for fixing it on the neck of a housing in order to form an aerosol container.
9. Cup/valve assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cup and/or the valve body and/or the stem and/or the retaining ring are made in a thermoplastic material, and the spring is made in steel stainless steel or in a thermoplastic material.
10. Process for manufacturing a cup/valve assembly made up of a cup (2), a valve body (3), a stem (4), a spring (14), an inner seal (13) and means for retaining the stem (4) in the valve body (3), the stem (4) comprising a bulge (45) on its outer cylindrical face and an inner conduit (42) having an upper opening at its upper end and at least one lateral orifice (44) at its lower end, the lateral orifice or orifices (44) being placed between the bulge and the upper opening of the inner conduit (42), the valve body having a cylindrical portion (31) provided with an opening at its upper end in order to let in at least a portion of the stem that extends from the bulge (45) and up to the lower end opposite the inner conduit (42), process characterized by the following steps:

    (a) preparing a cup/valve body unit by fixing, using fixing means (36), the valve body (3) in the central opening (23) of the cup so that the upper opening of the cylindrical portion (31) remains free;

    (b) placing the seal (13) on the portion of the stem (4) between the bulge (45) and the upper opening;

    (c) introducing the spring (14) into the valve body (3);

    (d) introducing into the valve body the portion of the stem that extends from the bulge (45) to the end opposite the upper opening, until it bears against the spring;

    (e) positioning a retaining ring (5) on the portion of the stem located between the upper opening of the conduit (42) and the lateral orifice or orifices (44) or between the upper opening of the conduit (42) and the seal (13) if it is already mounted;

    (f) lowering the retaining ring with centering of the retaining ring (5) relative to the cup (2) by having the crown (54) of the retaining ring penetrate into the recess (24) of the cup until the retaining ring comes in contact with the upper face of the cup and surrounds the opening (23) and blocks the inner seal (13) between the retaining ring and the top edge of the cylindrical portion (31) of the valve body so that, in the closed position of the valve, the seal fits tightly around the stem in the area of the lateral orifice or orifices (44) and obstructs them, and so that the spring pushes the stem back and places its bulge (45) bearing against the seal (13);

    (g) fixing the retaining ring (5) on the ring (2);
    the order of steps (a) to (e) not being fixed, except that step (d) is performed after step (c).
11. Process according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, in step (a), the cup (2) and the valve body (3) are molded together as a single piece, the valve body being connected to the cup preferably by bridges (36) in the area of the opening (23).
12. Process according to claim 10, characterized in that in step (a) the valve body (3) is snapped onto the cup (2) using snapping means.
13. Process according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, in step (e), the stem (4) and the retaining ring (5) are molded together as a single piece, the retaining ring being connected to the stem by bridges (51) that can break easily, the retaining ring (5) being located between the orifices (44) and the upper opening of the inner conduit (42).
14. Process according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that, in step (g), the retaining ring (5) is fixed to the cup by welding, wherein an extra thickness of material (53) can be provided on the retaining ring or on the cup (2) to serve as a weld seam.

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