EP3980350B1 - Valve for pressurised container - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a valve for a pressurized container, such as an aerosol generator, which valve comprises a valve body which has a cavity and which bears leaktight at a first end against a seal provided with a central opening , a seat which is placed movable in translation in the cavity of the valve body and which is pushed against the seal by return means, the seat being in leaktight contact against the seal in the closed position of the valve and being moved away from the seal by displacement in the cavity of the valve body against the effect of the force of the means for returning the valve to the open position, the seat having a cavity delimited by a sealing edge, which sealing edge bears tightly against the seal in the closed position of the valve, and is separated from the seal in the open position of the valve.

Pressure vessels generally consist of a housing closed by a valve mounted on a cup. The product can be contained directly in the case with the propellant gas. It can also be contained in a pocket to be separated from this propellant gas.

The valves include at least one sampling channel through which the product must pass in order to leave the container. When the valve is closed, this sampling channel is closed off by a seal which divides it into an upstream part in contact with the inside of the container and a downstream part in contact with the outside.

The valves generally consist of a valve body having an interior cavity in direct fluidic connection with the interior of the container or the bag, or indirectly via for example a metering reservoir. The cavity belongs to the upstream part of the sampling channel. The cavity is closed at its top by the seal making it possible to close off the sampling channel. A movable element is placed inside the cavity. It can move between a closed position of rest, in which the product cannot leave the container under pressure, and an open position in which the product can leave the container. In the closed position, the movable element cooperates with the seal to close off the sampling channel. A spring placed in the cavity tends to maintain the movable element in the closed position. This mobile element is a stem in the case of a male valve or a seat in the case of a female valve.

In the case of male valves, the stem (also known by the term stem or nozzle) consists of a tubular conduit open at its top and closed at the other end. One or more radial orifices are made in the tubular wall, in a radial plane located close to the closed end. The closed end of the stem is placed in the cavity of the valve body, while the free end protrudes out of the valve, to be actuated by a diffuser fitted onto it. The interior of the tubular duct belongs to the downstream part of the sampling channel. In the closed position, the orifices are aligned with the seal placed at the top of the cavity of the valve body. The gasket therefore blocks all the orifices. The inside of the valve body is then isolated from the outside by the gasket. When pressure is exerted on the diffuser, it moves the stem downwards. The ports move out of alignment with the gasket and down into the cavity. The product contained in the container can therefore pass into the cavity of the valve body, pass through the orifices thus released, continue in the tubular conduit to leave the valve and enter the diffuser before being dispensed.

In the case of female valves, the movable element is a seat which bears annularly on the joint around a central opening of the joint. To open the valve, a tubular-shaped actuating rod must be inserted into the central opening of the joint. This actuating rod presses the seat and pushes it down. The seat is thus moved away from the seal and an annular passage is formed between the top of the seat and the seal, which passage brings the inside of the cavity of the valve body into contact with the outside via the actuating rod.

Male valves and female valves each have their advantages. In both cases, it is possible to fill the housing or the bag by crossing the valve. However, filling via the female valves is easier and faster, because the annular passage between the top of the seat and the seal has a much larger section than the few holes made in the wall of the stem of the male valves and whose diameter is limited by the thickness of the joint and the travel of the stem between the open position and the closed position.

Moreover, during actuation, the opening of a male valve is progressive, while the opening of a female valve is almost instantaneous. This is due to the fact that the holes in the stem gradually emerge from the seal as the stem is pushed in. On the contrary, in the case of female valves, the seat is directly detached, immediately forming an annular passage. Similarly, when the pressure on the movable element is removed, the female valve closes suddenly, while the male valve closes slowly. The product therefore continues to flow momentarily while the user has ceased to actuate the valve.

Despite this apparent superiority of female valves over male valves, many users prefer male valves, in particular because it is easier, when assembling the packaged product, to center the diffuser on the male valve due to the part of the stem protruding above the male valve.

The document US 3,593,887 A discloses an assembly consisting of a seat and a movable stem in the seat. The document EP 1 400 465 A1 offers a one-piece set consisting of a seat and a stem. However, this assembly cannot be manufactured industrially in a simple manner due to the presence at the bottom of the stem of openings located in the cavity of the seat.

The object of the invention is therefore to combine the advantages of male valves and those of female valves.

This objective is achieved with a valve according to the preamble, in which a stem (also known as a stem or a nozzle), initially separated from the seat, is non-detachably fixed in the seat cavity, forming a seat/stem assembly. in one piece, which stem is composed of a tubular wall which surrounds an outlet channel open towards the end opposite the seat, and which is traversed in its part located inside the cavity by one or more windows passageway, the part of the stem opposite the seat and situated beyond the passageway windows protruding out of the cavity of the seat by passing through the central opening of the joint.

• que le siège comprenne une paroi tubulaire dont une première extrémité forme l'arête d'étanchéité, ladite paroi tubulaire étant entièrement fermée à distance de l'arête d'étanchéité par une paroi transversale, formant ainsi la cavité de siège
• que la partie inférieure de la paroi tubulaire du stem soit dimensionnée pour pénétrer dans la paroi tubulaire du siège, et
• qu'un évidement annulaire s'étendant autour de la paroi tubulaire du stem soit formé dans la partie supérieure de la paroi tubulaire du siège qui est située en regard des fenêtres de passage du stem, l'évidement annulaire s'étendant jusqu'à l'arête d'étanchéité. Cet évidement annulaire prolonge radialement la cavité du siège.

It is better to

• that the seat comprises a tubular wall, a first end of which forms the sealing edge, said tubular wall being entirely closed at a distance from the sealing edge by a transverse wall, thus forming the seat cavity
• that the lower part of the tubular wall of the stem is sized to penetrate the tubular wall of the seat, and
• that an annular recess extending around the tubular wall of the stem is formed in the upper part of the tubular wall of the seat which is located opposite the passage windows of the stem, the annular recess extending up to the sealing edge. This annular recess radially extends the cavity of the seat.

It is preferable that the windows do not encroach on the joint. For this, it is preferable that the ends of the passage windows directed towards the seal are flush with the face of the seal directed towards the cavity of the seat and/or that said ends be located at a distance from said face of the seal. Concretely, the windows can extend when the valve is in position closed either up to the joint, or stop below and at a distance from the joint. When the valve is open, the windows are moved downwards and are in any case at a distance from the joint. It would of course be possible that in the closed position of the valve, the upper part of the windows penetrates over part of the height of the seal.

The stem can be attached to the seat by any appropriate means. Welding is a particularly well-suited method of fastening, in particular ultrasonic welding or spin welding. A reserve of material can be provided for welding on the seat and/or on the stem.

The return means preferably consist of a spring. In order to stabilize the spring, it is preferable to provide the seat, opposite its sealing edge, with a centering tenon around which one of the ends of the spring takes place.

To facilitate the fixing of the stem in the cavity of the seat, a fixing stud can be placed in the cavity of the seat, on the transverse wall, the stem being fixed to the seat on the fixing stud, preferably on a front face of that -this.

• la paroi tubulaire du stem est ouverte à ses deux extrémités, une paroi transversale étant placée à l'intérieur de la paroi tubulaire, entre les fenêtres de passage et l'extrémité du stem placée dans la cavité du siège, et à distance de ladite extrémité, une ouverture de préférence traversante étant réalisée dans la face de la paroi transversale dirigée vers l'extrémité située dans la cavité,
• une saillie de centrage est réalisée sur le téton de fixation du siège, de préférence sur sa face frontale,
• la paroi tubulaire du stem, dans sa partie située dans la cavité du siège, étant dimensionnée pour que le téton de fixation pénètre dedans par l'extrémité, et la saillie de centrage étant dimensionnée pour pénétrer dans l'ouverture réalisée dans la paroi transversale.

In a particular embodiment of the invention,

• the tubular wall of the stem is open at both ends, a transverse wall being placed inside the tubular wall, between the passage windows and the end of the stem placed in the cavity of the seat, and at a distance from said end , a preferably through opening being made in the face of the transverse wall directed towards the end located in the cavity,
• a centering projection is made on the seat attachment stud, preferably on its front face,
• the tubular wall of the stem, in its part located in the cavity of the seat, being dimensioned so that the fixing stud penetrates into it from the end, and the centering projection being dimensioned to penetrate into the opening made in the transverse wall.

The joint can be blocked against the upper edge of the valve body by a cup provided with an opening for the free end of the stem, the cup being able to be crimped onto an annular crown of the valve body.

• d'un tenon d'attache pour attacher un tube plongeur ou des moyens anti-affaissement ; et/ou
• d'une paroi de fixation pour la fixation d'une poche, ladite paroi de fixation entourant le tenon d'attache quand il y en a un.

The valve body can be equipped

• an attachment lug for attaching a dip tube or anti-sag means; and or
• a fixing wall for fixing a pocket, said fixing wall surrounding the attachment pin when there is one.

One or more longitudinal grooves can be made in the cavity of the valve body so that the product can more easily bypass the seat. The longitudinal groove or grooves preferably extend from the annular passage to at least the lowest position taken, when the valve is in the open position, by the end of the seat opposite the sealing edge.

The invention also relates to a method according to claims 12 to 14.

• [Fig. 1] : une vue éclatée d'une valve selon l'invention ;
• [Fig. 2] : une vue en coupe de la valve de la figure 1 (a) avant et (b) après montage du stem ;
• [Fig. 3] : une vue du corps de valve (a) en perspective du bas, (b) en perspective du haut, (c) du dessus, (d) du dessous et (e) en coupe en perspective ;
• [Fig. 4] : une vue du siège (a) en perspective du haut, (b) en perspective du bas et (c) en coupe en perspective ;
• [Fig. 5] : Une vue en coupe en perspective du joint ;
• [Fig. 6] : Une vue du stem (a) en perspective et (b) en coupe en perspective ;
• [Fig. 7] : Une vue en coupe de l'ensemble siège/stem ;
• [Fig. 8] : Une vue en coupe en perspective de la valve de l'invention ;
• [Fig. 9] : une vue en coupe de la valve (a) en position fermée et (b) en position ouverte.
• [Fig. 10] : Une coupe agrandie de l'intérieur de la valve (a) en position fermée et (b) en position ouverte.

The invention is described in more detail with the aid of an embodiment presented in the figures which show:

• [ Fig. 1 ]: an exploded view of a valve according to the invention;
• [ Fig. 2 ]: a sectional view of the valve of the figure 1(a) before and (b) after assembly of the stem;
• [ Fig. 3 ]: a view of the valve body (a) in perspective from below, (b) in perspective from above, (c) from above, (d) from below and (e) in perspective section;
• [ Fig. 4 ]: a view of the seat (a) in perspective from above, (b) in perspective from below and (c) in perspective section;
• [ Fig. 5 ]: A perspective sectional view of the gasket;
• [ Fig. 6 ]: A view of the stem (a) in perspective and (b) in perspective section;
• [ Fig. 7 ]: A sectional view of the seat/stem assembly;
• [ Fig. 8 ]: A perspective sectional view of the valve of the invention;
• [ Fig. 9 ]: a sectional view of the valve (a) in the closed position and (b) in the open position.
• [ Fig. 10 ]: A magnified section of the inside of the valve (a) in the closed position and (b) in the open position.

The invention relates to a valve (1), in particular a pocket valve, for closing the housing of a pressure vessel.

Conventionally, the valve is represented with the stem at the top, without this being limiting. The references "top" / "bottom" or "upper" / "lower" have only a relative value in relation to the representations of the attached figures. It goes without saying that in some cases the valve can be used in other positions and that what is at the top in the position represented here will not necessarily be so in use. Furthermore, the valve in the assembled state extends along a main axis (A), vertical in the representations of the attached figures. The terms "radial", "axial" and "transverse" refer to this main axis (A).

The valve (1) represented here has all the attributes of a female valve. It consists mainly of a valve body (10) having a cavity (11) in which are placed a seat (20) and a spring (30). The upper opening of the cavity (11) is closed by a gasket (40). The cavity is in direct or indirect fluidic connection with the interior of the container. A cup (50) can be crimped onto the valve body (10) by locking the gasket (40). Unlike a female valve, the valve of the invention is also provided with a stem (60). If necessary, a pocket (70) can be welded to the valve body (10).

The valve body (10) consists of a tubular wall (12) open at both ends which extends, in the assembled state of the valve, around the main axis (A). The interior of the tubular wall defines the cavity (11) of the valve body. The tubular wall preferably has substantially the shape of a cylinder of revolution. Its more tapered upper end forms an upper ridge (121) which extends in a radial plane. Three grooves (122) are made in the inner face of the tubular wall. They extend in the longitudinal direction of the tubular wall, therefore substantially vertically in the present case. The grooves (122) extend from the tapered shape of the upper end (121) to at least the lowest position taken, when the valve is in the open position, by the lower end of the seat. The outer face of the tubular wall has at the upper end an annular crown (123) in the form of an extra thickness of material to allow the crimping of the cup (50) on the valve body. An attachment stud (13) for attaching an anti-collapse device or dip tube is attached, for example by four bridges (131), to the lower end of the tubular wall (12). These four bridges (131) also fulfill the function of abutment for the spring (30). It would be possible not to provide an attachment tenon (13), in which case it would be preferable to provide an abutment inside the tubular wall to support the spring.

In order to be able to fix a pocket on the valve, a fixing wall (14) is made on the tubular wall (12), below and at a distance from the annular crown (123) for crimping. This attachment wall surrounds the lower end of the tubular wall (12) and the attachment pin (13). It preferably has a cross-section in the shape of a flattened diamond with the angles of the small diagonals obtuse and rounded, and the angles of the large diagonals acute and more pointed, as is clearly visible on the 3d figure . This shape facilitates the welding of the pocket (70). If the valve is to be used without a pocket, it is possible to dispense with this attachment wall (14).

The seat (20) of the invention consists of a cup-shaped element having a cavity (21) delimited by a tubular wall (22) and a transverse wall (23) which is continuous, preferably radial. The tubular wall (22), in the mounted state of the seat in the valve, extends around the main axis (A). It preferably has substantially the shape of a cylinder of revolution. It is open at one of its ends, forming a sealing edge (221) extending in a radial plane. The seat (20) is sized to be able to fully penetrate the cavity (11) of the valve body while being able to slide freely therein. Concretely, the tubular wall (22) of the seat can slide parallel to the main axis (A) in the tubular wall (12) of the valve body.

The tubular wall (21) of the cavity has an upper part (222) of larger diameter which extends up to the sealing edge and which forms an annular recess (211) around the cavity itself in extending it radially. The radial wall (23) closes the tubular wall (22), preferably at the end opposite the sealing edge (221), so that the cavity (21) is accessible only through the defined opening by the sealing edge (221). The underside of the radial wall (23) is extended by a centering pin (24) to center the spring (30). In order to save material and facilitate handling of the seat during assembly, the centering pin (24) is not solid, but consists of two segments of a tubular wall. The slot (241) which delimits the two tubular segments extends partly into the underside of the radial wall (23).

A fixing pin (25) is made on the upper face of the radial wall (23). It preferably has substantially the shape of a solid cylinder concentric with the tubular wall (22) of the seat. The front face (251) of the fixing stud, opposite the radial wall, is preferably tapered with the top of the cone located at the bottom. The upper edge of the front face constitutes an annular reserve of material (252) for welding the stem. It is preferable to place in the center of the front face of the fixing pin a centering projection (253) which is preferably rounded at its top.

The geometry of the seat, and in particular its external bulk, must take into account the fact that a sliding movement inside the valve body from top to bottom must be able to allow the opening of the valve. Conversely, a sliding movement of the seat from bottom to top must take place easily inside the valve body to guarantee the rapid closing of the passage windows (612) by the seal (40) and the closing of the valve to control the dispensing of product.

The stem (60) consists of a tubular wall (61) which, in the assembled state of the valve, extends around the main axis (A). This tubular wall (61) is open at both ends and defines an outlet channel (62). The lower end (611) of the tubular wall is dimensioned to be able to penetrate into the cavity (21) of the seat. It is preferably tapered to facilitate its centering during its introduction into the cavity (21) of the seat. Above and at a distance from this lower end, a transverse wall (63), preferably radial, has been placed inside the outlet channel (62), so as to reduce the cross-section, or even block it. An orifice (631) at least open downwards can be made in the radial wall. In the present example, the orifice (631) is through. Large passage windows (612) are made in the tubular wall, above the radial wall (23). In the example presented here, there are four windows lined up two by two. These windows extend in the same radial plane, without necessarily being radial themselves.

The internal dimensions of the tubular wall (61), at least in its lower part (613) located between the radial wall (63) and the lower end (611), are such that the fixing stud (25) can penetrate there without restraint. Similarly, the orifice (631) of the radial wall of the stem is dimensioned so that the centering projection (253) of the seat can penetrate there without constraint.

The seal (40) has a generally annular shape. The inside diameter of its central opening (41) is chosen such that it seals tightly around the tubular wall (61) of the stem while allowing it to slide when the valve is actuated. The outer diameter of the seal is greater than the diameter of the upper edge (121) of the valve body. In the assembled position of the valve, the upper edge (121) bears tightly against the gasket (40).

The spring (30) performs the function of return means, making it possible to bring the seat back into abutment against the seal in order to close the valve.

According to the invention, the seat (20) and the stem (60) are fixed together to form a seat/stem assembly (80). For this, the stem is introduced with its lower end (611) into the cavity (21) of the seat until its radial wall (63) comes into contact with the upper part of the frustoconical face (251) of the stud. fixing forming a reserve of material. In this position, the centering projection (253) penetrates the opening (631) made in the radial wall (63) of the stem and the lower part (613) of the tubular wall of the stem partially surrounds the fixing pin (25) of the seat. Welding is done at this reserve of material (252). Welding can be done in different ways, including ultrasonic or spin welding. As shown in Picture 7 , the large passage windows (612) of the stem open into the annular recess (211) of the seat cavity. The top of the passage windows (612) is in the radial plane defined by the sealing edge (221) of the seat, or slightly below. This also means that, in the assembled state of the valve, the top of the passage windows (612) is flush with the seal (40) or is slightly below. In the open position of the valve, the windows are separated from the seal anyway. It would also be possible for the top of the windows to be located inside the joint, without however going over it.

The section of the outlet channel (62) and the section of the passage windows (612) are calculated so as not to create any restriction to the flow corresponding to the flow around the seat. In particular, the total cross-section of the windows (612) and that of the exit channel (62) are preferably of the same order of magnitude, or even greater, than the narrowest cross-section in the exit path (122, 211) above the windows. Furthermore, the stem having to be able to resist a vertical compression force allowing the opening of the valve, it is preferable to dimension the thickness of its wall to allow this force, without however limiting the section of the passage windows. A compromise must therefore be found to optimize the wall thickness and the resistance to vertical compression of the stem while allowing play between the external diameter of the stem and the central opening of the cup through which it passes. The outer diameter of the stem in its upper part located outside the valve body and above the horizontal plane formed by the central opening, or at least above the rounded upper part of the cup must allow the attachment of a means of distribution. In its lower part, the external diameter of the stem must allow its introduction inside the seat.

It is not currently known how to mold such a seat/stem assembly (80) due in particular to the presence of passage windows (612) oriented radially and hidden behind the upper part (222) of the tubular wall of the seat. It is therefore necessary to manufacture these two parts separately and then assemble them.

Depending on the needs, it is possible in a preliminary step to attach an anti-collapse device or a dip tube to the attachment stud (13) and/or to attach a pocket (70) to the face. exterior of the fixing wall (14) before folding or rolling it around the main axis (A).

The valve is assembled as follows. The spring (30) is introduced into the cavity (11) of the valve body (10) until its lower end rests on the fixing bridges (131) of the tenon (13). The seat (20) is then introduced so that its centering stud (24) penetrates inside the spring (30) and its cavity is open upwards. The spring is thus sandwiched between the fixing bridges (131) of the valve body at the bottom and the underside of the radial wall (23) of the seat at the top. The seal (40) is then placed at the top of the valve body (10), the upper edge (121) of the latter resting on the seal. The cup (50) is then placed on and around the annular crown (123) of the valve body with its central opening centered on the main axis (A) and on the central opening (41) of the seal. The cup is then crimped by resting under the annular crown (123) of the valve body. The stem (60) is then introduced via its lower end (611) into the cavity (21) of the seat, passing through the central opening of the cup and the central opening (41) of the seal. The stem is then welded to the seat, for example by ultrasound. It would also be possible to make the seat/stem assembly (80) first before assembling the valve. When the stem is welded after assembly of the valve, it must be taken into account that the weld requires the application of a downward vertical force to maintain sufficient contact between the weld zone of the stem and the reserve of material provided. by the seat fixing tine. It is therefore preferable to dimension the spring (30) so that it exerts a greater counter-pressure than that applied during welding so as not to allow the seat/stem system to sink into the valve body during the securing of the two components.

The grooves (122) extend from the tapered portion of the upper end of the valve body to below the underside of the radial wall (23) of the seat when it is spaced away from the seal in the open position of the valve . The grooves do not go all the way to the upper edge (121) as can be seen in the Picture 10 , in order to avoid sealing problems.

At all times, the upper edge (121) of the valve body is sealingly supported on the seal (40). In the closed rest position of the valve, the sealing edge (221) of the seat is also in sealed contact against the seal, the seat being pushed back by the spring.

As in a traditional male valve, the stem passes through a central opening in the cup and protrudes outside the valve, and as in a female valve, the seal is made when the valve is in the closed rest position. , at the level of the sealing edge (221) of the seat bearing tightly against the lower face of the seal (40).

The valve of the invention operates as follows. Pressure is exerted on the upper end of the stem (60) of the seat/stem assembly (80) using a diffuser to male valve fitted on the protruding part of the stem. The seat/stem assembly (80) is moved downward against the effect of the spring (30). The sealing edge (221) of the seat is then moved away from the seal and an annular passage (26) is formed between the sealing edge (221) of the seat and the underside of the seal, as is clearly visible on there Picture 10 . Under the effect of the pressure difference between the pressure prevailing inside the pressurized container and the atmospheric pressure, the product contained inside the container enters the bottom of the cavity (11) of the valve body, bypassing the fixing bridges (131) and/or via a dip tube attached to the attachment stud (13). It then rises in the cavity (11) of the valve body passing along the spring (30), bypasses the tubular wall (22) of the seat passing through the grooves (122), crosses the annular passage (26), enters the annular recess (211) of the seat cavity, passes through the passage windows (612) and enters the outlet channel (62).

As soon as the pressure exerted on the stem is released, the spring (30) pushes the seat/stem assembly (80) upwards until the sealing edge (221) of the seat is again in contact sealed against the underside of the gasket (40). The exit path of the product is interrupted at this interface.

The valve of the invention differs from a traditional male valve in that the passage windows (612) of the stem always remain open and do not need to be closed by the seal. Whatever the position of the valve, the passage windows bring the outside of the valve into contact with the cavity (21) of the seat via the outlet channel (62) of the stem. Passage windows are always located below the seal. Their dimensions are therefore not imposed by the thickness of this joint, unlike the passage openings of a traditional stem. It is therefore possible to provide passage windows much larger, and in particular higher. Simply adjust the height of the annular recess (211) of the seat cavity to the desired height of the windows (612). With the valve of the invention, the filling speed via the valve is much faster than with a traditional male valve and approaches that of a female valve. The valve of the invention is therefore particularly well suited to viscous products and/or to rapid filling via the valve.

The valve of the invention combines the advantages of female valves (fast opening and closing, large passage windows) and those of male valves (stem protruding from the valve for easier centering of the diffuser).

The valve of the invention is particularly intended for use as a pocket valve. However, it is possible to use it without a pocket.

In the example presented here, the valve is of the traditional type with a metal cup crimped on it. The seat/stem assembly (80) can however be used in any other type of valve, and in particular in so-called "all-plastic" valves where the cup is made of plastic and the valve body is snapped onto the cup or is an integral part of it. The seat/stem assembly (80) can in particular be applied to valves of the type described in the patent application WO 2016/202 754 A1 Or FR 18 54 513 .

The seat and the stem can be made, for example, of POM (polyoxymethylene) or PA (polyamide). The material chosen must be compatible with the product to be dispensed. The valve body can be for example made of POM or, if a pocket is to be welded on it, of PE (polyethylene) or PP (polypropylene).

List of references

1

Valve

10

valve body
11 Cavity
12 Tubular wall
121 Upper edge
122 Grooves
123 Annular crown
13 Attachment pin
131 Fixing bridges
14 Pocket fixing wall

20

Seat
21 Cavity
211 Annular recess
22 Tubular wall
221 Sealing edge
222 Upper part
23 Radial wall
24 Centering pin
241 Slot
25 Fixing pin
251 Upper side
252 Material allowance
253 Centering protrusion
26 Annular passage

30

Spring

40

Seal
41 Central opening

50

Cup

60

Stem or rod)
61 Tubular wall
611 Lower end
612 Passage Windows
613 Lower part
62 Output channel
63 Radial wall
631 Opening

70

Poached

80

Seat/stem assembly (seat/stem)

Claims (14)

1. Valve for pressurized container, comprising

   - a valve body (10) that has a cavity (11) and that bears sealingly by a first end (121) against

   - a seal (40) provided with a central opening (41),

   - a seat (20) placed movable in translation in the cavity (11) of the valve body and pushed against the seal (40) by

   - return means (30),

   the seat bearing sealingly against the seal in the closed position of the valve and being spaced apart from the seal by displacement in the cavity (11) of the valve body against the effect of the force of the return means in the open position of the valve,

   the seat having a cavity (21) delimited by a sealing edge (221), which sealing edge bears sealingly against the seal (40) in the closed position of the valve, and is spaced apart from the seal (40), forming an annular passage (26), in the open position of the valve,

   characterized

   - in that a rod (60), initially separated from the seat, is fixed in a non-detachable manner in the cavity (21) of the seat, forming a one-piece seat/rod assembly (80), which rod (60) is composed of a tubular wall (61) that surrounds an outlet channel (62) and that is traversed in its portion (613) located inside the cavity (21) by one or several passage windows (612) that open into the outlet channel, the free end of the rod (60) located beyond the passage windows (612) protruding out of the cavity (21) of the seat by passing through the central opening (41) of the seal (40).
2. Valve according to claim 1, characterized

   - in that the seat (20) comprises a tubular wall (22), a first end of which forms the sealing edge (221), said tubular wall being entirely closed at a distance from the sealing edge by a transverse wall (23),

   - in that the lower portion (613) of the tubular wall of the rod is dimensioned to penetrate into the tubular wall (22) of the seat, and

   - in that an annular recess (211) extending around the tubular wall (61) of the rod is formed in the upper portion (222) of the tubular wall of the seat which is located facing the passage windows (612) of the rod, the annular recess (211) extending up to the sealing edge (221).
3. Valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in the closed position of the valve, the ends of the passage windows (612) oriented towards the seal (40) are flush with the face of the seal (40) oriented towards the cavity (21) of the seat and/or said ends are located at a distance from said face of the seal.
4. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rod (60) is fixed to the seat (20) by welding, preferably by ultrasonic welding or by rotary welding.
5. Valve according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a reserve of material (252) is provided on the seat (20) and/or on the rod (60) for welding.
6. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the return means are constituted by a spring (30), and in that the seat has, opposite to its sealing edge (221), a centering tenon (24) around which one of the ends of the spring (30) is positioned.
7. Valve according to one of the preceding claims associated with claim 2, characterized in that a fixing stud (25) is placed in the cavity (21) of the seat, on the transverse wall (23), the rod (60) being fixed to the seat on the fixing stud, preferably on a front face (251) thereof.
8. Valve according to the preceding claim, characterized

   - in that the tubular wall (61) of the rod is open at its two ends, a transverse wall (63) being placed inside the tubular wall (61), between the passage windows (612) and the end (611) of the rod placed in the cavity (21) of the seat, and at a distance from said end (611), an opening (631), preferably a through-opening, being made in the face of the transverse wall (63) oriented towards the end (611),

   - in that a centering projection (253) is made on the fixing stud (25) of the seat, preferably on its front face (251),

   - the tubular wall (61) of the rod being dimensioned so that the fixing stud (25) penetrates therein by the end (611), and the centering projection (253) being dimensioned to penetrate in the opening (631) made in the transverse wall.
9. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal (40) is blocked against the edge (121) of the valve body by a cup (50) provided with an opening for the free end of the rod (60).
10. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve body (10) is provided with

    - a fastening tenon (13) for fastening a dip tube or anti-collapse means; and/or

    - a fixing wall (14) for fixing a bag (70), said fixing wall surrounding the fastening tenon (13) when there is one.
11. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or several longitudinal grooves (122) are made in the cavity (11) of the valve body, which longitudinal grooves (122) preferably extend from the annular passage (26) to at least the lowest position taken by the end of the seat opposite to the sealing edge (221) when the valve is in the open position.
12. Method of manufacturing a valve according to any of the claims 1 to 11, characterized by the steps of

    - providing a valve body (10) that has a cavity (11) and a first end (121), a seat having a cavity (21) delimited by a sealing edge (221), return means (30) and a seal (40) provided with a central opening (41),

    - introducing in the cavity (11) of the valve body (10) the return means (30) and then the seat (20),

    - placing the seal (40) on top of the valve body so that

    ∘ the seat is movable in translation in the cavity (11) of the valve body and pushed against the seal (40) by the return means (30),

    ∘ the seat is bearing sealingly against the seal in the closed position of the valve and being spaced apart from the seal by displacement in the cavity (11) of the valve body against the effect of the force of the return means in the open position of the valve,

    ∘ the sealing edge (221) bears sealingly against the seal (40) in the closed position of the valve, and is spaced apart from the seal (40), forming an annular passage (26), in the open position of the valve,

    characterized by the additional step of

    ∘ fixing by welding a rod in the cavity (21) of the seat.
13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that, after introduction of the seal (40), the rod is introduced by a lower end (611) into the cavity (21) of the seat, passing through a central opening (41) of the seal, and is then welded to the seat.
14. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the rod is introduced by a lower end (611) into the cavity (21) of the seat and then welded to the seat prior the insertion of the seat into the cavity (11) of the valve body (10).

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