FR2671055A1 - DEVICE FOR DISPENSING A PRODUCT UNDER PRESSURE, IN PARTICULAR A FOAMING PRODUCT, AND METHODS FOR FILLING A CONTAINER FOR SUCH A DEVICE. - Google Patents

Abstract

The device comprises a container (3) provided, in the upper part, with an opening (4) on which is mounted a dispensing valve (11), and a flexible bag (9) disposed inside said container (3). to establish a separation between the product (2) to be distributed and a propellant means (14) suitable for maintaining a sufficient internal pressure for the distribution of the product. The active product (2) to be dispensed is located inside the flexible pouch (9) and the valve (11) has no dip tube; a quantity of propellant means (14) is introduced into the volume (10) of the container (3) located around the flexible bag (9); the flexible pouch (9) is made of a sufficiently permeable membrane to make it possible to maintain a balance of the gas pressure of the propellant means (14) between the volume (10) outside the pouch (9) and the interior of this pouch ( 9).

Description

DEVICE FOR DISPENSING A PRODUCT UNDER PRESSURE,

  IN PARTICULAR A FOAMING PRODUCT, AND METHODS OF MAKING

  FILLING A CONTAINER FOR SUCH A DEVICE.

  The invention relates to a device for dispensing a product under pressure, in particular a foaming product such as shaving foam, make-up removing foam, or a hair product, of the type which includes a container provided, at the top, an opening on which a dispensing valve is mounted, and a flexible bag disposed inside this container to establish a separation between the product to be dispensed and a propellant capable of maintaining a pressure

  internal sufficient for product distribution.

  The propellant means can consist of a liquid / vapor balance in the range of

  usual temperatures, allowing to obtain the

desired sion.

  A device of this kind is known, for example from EP-AO 017 147 in which the active product to be dispensed is placed inside the flexible bag, while the propellant means is located in the part of the container at the bottom. outside of said pocket. With such a device, the flow of product between the start of use where the device is filled with product, and the end of use where the device is practically empty, does not remain as constant as may be desired. In addition, in the case of an aerosol or foaming product, the

  characteristics of the delivered product also tend to

  dance to vary between the beginning and the end of use Finally, the device must be used

head up.

  The object of the invention is, above all, to provide a device of the kind defined above which makes it possible to obtain better consistency of the flow rate and of the characteristics of the product delivered between the start and the end of use of the device. It is further desired that the device can be used in any position, especially upside down.

  According to the invention, a device for

  tribute under pressure an active product, in particular a foaming, deodorant or hair product, of the kind defined above, is characterized by the fact that: the active product to be dispensed is located inside the flexible bag and the valve is devoid of dip tube; an amount of propellant is introduced into the volume of the container located around the flexible bag; and the flexible bag is made of a sufficiently permeable membrane to allow a balance of the gas pressure of the propellant means to be maintained between the volume outside the bag located in the

  container and the inside of this pocket.

  The device of the invention takes advantage of the

  permeability of a membrane to maintain a balance

gaseous bre.

  Such a device can be used for all products using aerosol technology such as body foams, hair foams, sprays such as deodorants, etc. The membrane of the bag is advantageously made of one of the materials belonging to the group:

  polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene / terephthalate.

  This membrane can be constituted by a

  combination of polyolefin films and / or polyes-

  very. The thickness of the pocket membrane may be between 0.2 and 0.6 mm, depending on the nature of the

  3 material used to constitute the pocket.

  The oxygen permeability of the membrane forming the pocket is advantageously between

  cm 3 / m 2/24 hours and 400 cm 3 / m 2/24 hours.

  The invention also relates to a method of filling a device as defined above for the pressure distribution of a product, in particular a foaming and / or capillary product.10 According to a first possibility, such a process is characterized by the fact that: the bag is filled with the active product to be dispensed; the valve is placed over the opening of the container and of the bag and then it is crimped onto the container; an amount of propellant is introduced inside the bag by injection through the valve; one agitates possibly; another quantity of the propellant medium mume is injected into the part of the interior volume of the container situated outside the pocket, by a

  hole in the container, usually around it

  lower tie; and we purge the pocket by pressing a few

seconds on the valve.

  According to another possibility, the filling process is characterized in that: the bag is filled with the active product; the valve is placed on the opening of the container; a vacuum is made to remove the air above the active product in the bag; the valve is crimped on the edge of the container opening; a quantity of propellant is introduced inside the pocket, by injection through the valve; another quantity of the same propellant means is introduced outside the pocket into the container, through an orifice provided in the wall of this container, in particular at its lower part; purge the pocket by pressing one or two

seconds on the valve.

  According to a third possibility, the filling process is characterized in that: the bag is filled with the active product; the valve is placed and it is crimped onto the container; an amount of propellant is introduced into the container outside the pocket through an orifice provided in the wall of the container, in particular at its lower part; the bag is purged by pressing the valve until the active product appears; another quantity of the same propellant is introduced inside the pocket, by injection into the

across the valve.

  According to a fourth possibility, the filling process is characterized in that: the valve is placed on the container and on the bag; the valve is crimped onto the container; a quantity of propellant is introduced outside the pocket, into the container, through an orifice provided in the wall of the container, in particular at its lower part; a complete purge of the bag is carried out; the active product is introduced into the pocket by injection through the valve; another quantity of the same propellant is introduced into the pocket by injection through

the valve.

  According to a fifth possibility, the filling process is characterized in that the valve is placed; the valve is crimped onto the container; an amount of propellant is introduced through an orifice located in the wall of the container; the active product to be dispensed is introduced into the bag by injection through the valve; another amount of the same propellant is introduced into the bag by injection through the valve; one agitates possibly;

and we purge the pocket.

  According to a last possibility, in the case

  a container without a filling opening

  wise in its wall, the process is characterized by the fact that: a quantity of cold propellant is introduced inside the container; the bag is introduced into the container and the valve is placed on the opening of the bag and the container; the valve is crimped on the edge of the container opening; the active product is introduced into the pocket by injection through the valve; the bag is purged; and we introduce another quantity of the same

  propellant inside the pocket by injection

tion through the valve.

  The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, of a certain number of other arrangements which will be more explicitly discussed below in connection with embodiments described with reference to the attached drawings, but

which are in no way limiting.

  Figures la to le, from these drawings, illus-

  very schematically stages of a first method of filling and manufacturing a device for dispensing the product of the invention. Figures 2a has the possibility of filling Figures 3a has the possibility of filling sitive. Figures 4 a with the possibility of filling Figures 5 a with the possibility of filling Figures 6 a with the possibility of active filling under pressure, according to 2 e illustrate a second

and manufacturing.

3 e illustrate a third

and manufacturing

4 e illustrate a fourth

and manufacturing.

e illustrate a fifth

and manufacturing.

6 e illustrate a sixth

and manufacturing.

  FIG. 7 is a graph representing the flow rate in grams / seconds, plotted on the ordinate, provided by a device according to the invention, as a function of the time plotted on the abscissa, each point corresponding to a spraying for five seconds, this spraying being carried out at intervals of

times apart.

  FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating the pressure variation in the pocket of a device according to the invention, as a function of the time plotted on the abscissa. FIG. 9 is a comparative graph of the flow plotted on the ordinate, as a function of the number of flow plots, plotted on the abscissa, with a device according to the invention and with a device according to the prior art.

  Figure 10 is a comparative graph illus-

  tring the variation of the pressure of the product, plotted on the ordinate, as a function of the number of flow rates, plotted on the abscissa, in a device according to the invention and in

  a device of the state of the art.

  Figure 11, finally, is a graph giving

  variations in the density of the product available

  tributed, laid on the ordinate, according to the rate of

  drain on the abscissa for a device for

  contribution in accordance with the prior art and for a provision

  sitive according to the invention, under conditions

  particulars explained below.

  Referring to the drawings, in particular

  in Figure le, we can see a device 1 for

  tribute under pressure an active product 2, for example a foaming product such as shaving foam, make-up removing foam, hair foam, or a product

  sprayed (spray) such as a deodorant.

  The device 1 comprises a conventional container 3, in the form of a container, made of aluminum or tinplate, or of plastic material.

  container 3 could be made of glass.

  The container 3 is provided, in the upper part, with an opening 4 delimited by a peripheral cord with circular cross section. In the case where the container 3 is made of metal, this cord 5 can be

  formed by the rolled edge of the opening 4.

  The container 3 has in its wall,

  preferably in the bottom wall 6, a return orifice

  pleating 7, closed by a filling plug 8 constituted for example by a pad of elastomeric material. A flexible pocket 9 is arranged inside the container 3, this pocket comprising in the upper part an opening limited by an edge which is applied, in a sealed manner, against the peripheral cord 5 delimiting the opening 4 of the container 3 Thus, the part 10 located inside the container 3 and outside the pocket 9 is closed

8 tightly.

  A conventional dispensing valve it is fixed in a sealed manner, by crimping the edge of a cup 12 on the peripheral bead 5 This valve 11 comprises an axial rod 13 intended to be pressed by the user to cause the opening of said valve and product distribution The edge of the opening of the pocket 9 is sandwiched

  between the cord 5 and the edge of the cup 12.

  The device 1, with a view to its use, is equipped with a dispensing head (not shown) which covers the opening 4 and the dispensing valve 11 This dispensing head comprises a pusher on which can act

  the user to push the rod 13.

  According to the invention, the active product 2 available

  tribute is located inside the flexible pocket 9

  and the valve 11 has no dip tube.

  A certain amount of a propellant means 14 is introduced into the part 10 of the container 3,

  located around the flexible pocket 9 This propellant means

  sor 14 can consist of a balance

  liquid / vapor suitable for maintaining sufficient pressure

  fisante (of the order of 3 bars) corresponding to the vapor pressure, at the temperature considered, of the liquid used The introduction of the propellant means 14 into part 10 can be carried out using a

  hypodermic needle A inserted in the cap 8.

  When needle A is withdrawn, plug 8 continues

sealing.

  The flexible pocket 9 is formed by a mem-

  bran sufficiently permeable to allow the passage of the propellant means, in gaseous form, through said membrane in order to balance the pressure of the means

  propellant between the inside of the pocket 9 and the

  outer tie 10 Of course, the membrane of the pocket 9 is impermeable with respect to the active product 2

  which remains confined inside this pocket.

  The introduction of the active product into the bag 9 can be carried out through the valve 11. In addition, a certain amount of the same propellant means can be introduced, also through the valve 11, into

  pocket 9, in particular for expanding the product to be

  tribute. It should be noted that the flexible bag 9 can be fixed to the valve body 11, or else to the body of the container 3, or else wedged between the peripheral cord 5 and the cup 12 as described above. The pocket 9 can be made of one of the materials belonging to the group: polyethylene,

  polypropylene, polyethylene / terephthalate.

  According to another possibility, the pocket is formed by an association of films of

polyolefins and / or polyesters.

  The thickness of the membrane constituting the pocket 9 can be between 0.2 and 0.6 mm, depending on the nature of the material used to form this membrane. The permeability of the pocket (membrane) to oxygen is advantageously between 150

  cm 3 / m 2/24 hours and 400 cm 3 / m 2/24 hours.

  This pocket 9 which has a certain permeability allows the liquefied propellant means which is in the part 10 of the container 3 to ensure the gas phase replenishment of the active product 2

  contained in pocket 9 so that there is always

  saturation with propellant in this pocket 9.

  The permeability of the bag makes it possible to obtain consistency in the flow of active product and in the pressure

  in pocket 9 during use, from the start

until the end.

  Figures 7 and following are graphs illustrating results obtained with a device according to the invention, during tests carried out

  with a foaming product Some of these graphs

  compare the results according to the invention with the results obtained with a device of the prior art. In FIG. 7, we can see the variation of the flow rate in grams / seconds, plotted on the ordinate, of a device according to the invention containing a body foam, as a function of the time plotted on the abscissa. It should be noted that the scale abscissa is not linear. The tests consisted, using a

  device according to the invention filled with cor-

  porelle in the pocket 9, to press for 5 s on the rod 13 of the valve 11 at times spaced in time as shown on the x-axis, that is to say at time 0, at the end half an hour, an hour, an hour and a half, two hours, three hours, etc. The product delivered by the device is collected and weighed The flow rate in grams / seconds is obtained by dividing the mass collected by time

deportation.

  It appears from the graph that this flow is maintained at a substantially constant value of

  around 1.7 g / s even after 78 hours.

  The graph in Figure 8 illustrates the variations

  the pressure in bars, plotted on the abscissa, inside the pocket 9, for the device of the invention which was used for the tests summarized by the

graph of figure 7.

  It appears that the pressure remains relative-

  constant At the start of use, this pressure is approximately 3.4 bar and, after 78

  hours, it is still around 3 bars.

  The graph in FIG. 9 illustrates the results of comparative tests between a device according to the invention (measurement results carried in the form of white squares) whose pocket 9, having a certain permeability, was produced

  PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and a device

  state-of-the-art form in which the flexible pouch was made of waterproof material (aluminum foil), the active product being located inside the pouch; the measuring points for the prior art device are shown

  by black squares in figure 9.

  On the ordinate, the flow was plotted in g / s.

  Each measurement point corresponds to a spray for five seconds, successive sprays being spaced 30 minutes apart The number of

  spraying or flow is plotted on the abscissa.

  It is clear that the flow rate of a device according to the invention varies much less than the flow rate of a device according to the prior art. The flow curve for the device of the invention is located below the state of the art curve for the first five sprays, then is above this other curve from the sixth spray. flow rate according to the invention (from approximately 1.8 g / s for the first spraying to approximately 1.5 g / s for the tenth spraying) is much lower when the number of sprays increases, than in the case of l state of the art (from approximately 1.9 g / s for the first spraying to approximately 0.8 g / s for

the tenth spray).

  FIG. 10 is a comparative graph of the device according to the invention used for the tests of FIG. 9 with a device according to the state of the art, giving the evolution of the pressure in bars plotted on the ordinate in the volume containing the product

  active, depending on the number of debits.

  Again, it appears that the graph of the device of the invention, corresponding to the points represented by white squares, is closer to constancy (limited variation between 4 bars and about 3.4 bars) than the graph of the device the state of the art represented by black squares

  (variation between approximately 4.6 bars and approximately 3 bars).

  The graph in Figure 11 summarizes another

  type of comparative tests carried out between a device

  tif according to the invention (measurement points represented by white squares) and a device in accordance with

  the state of the art (black squares).

  For these tests, the volume containing the pro-

  active product (intended for foaming) was not filled, during manufacture, with propellant means In other words, in the case of the device according to the invention, for which the active product is in the bag 9, there is no there was no injection of propellant into this pocket 9 For the device according to the state of the art, in which the active product is inside the flexible pocket, there has been no

  of propellant injection into this pocket.

  The measurements, the results of which are shown in FIG. 11, were carried out one week after the device was manufactured, that is to say that there was storage without using this device for

the week in question.

  At each test, two density measurements are made; one at the start of the dis-

  tribution, the other after expansion of the foam, that is to say five minutes after the foam has come out.

  It appears that the density of the product delivered by a device according to the state of the art, after one week of storage, remains constant as a function of the rate of emptying of this device. This density is in also relatively high and corresponds to that of the active product which is not expanded. According to the invention, surprisingly, an expanded foam is obtained although no propellant means has been introduced into the volume containing the active product. Furthermore, the density remains substantially constant during emptying. With a device according to the invention,

  after a week of storage, there was therefore a dif-

  sufficient fusion of the propellant from volume 10 to

  pocket 9 containing the active product.

  On the other hand, according to the state of the art, the flexible pocket being waterproof, the propellant means

  contained in this pocket could not diffuse in the pro-

active ingredient.

  The manufacture and more particularly the filling of a distribution device according to the invention can be carried out according to various methods which will be described below with reference

  in Figures la-le and following, up to Figures 6 a-

6 e.

  According to a first possibility (Figures la-

  le), as illustrated in FIG. la, after having introduced the pocket 9 into the container 3, this pocket is filled with the expected quantity of active product 2

to distribute (figure la).

  The valve 11 is then placed on the opening of the pocket 9 and of the container 3 and the cup 12 is crimped onto the edge 5 of the opening of the container, sealingly sealing the upper edge of the pocket 9 between the rim 5 and the part of the cup applied against this rim This step is illustrated by FIG. 1b.

  We introduce a quantity of propellant-

  sor 14 inside the pocket 9 by injection through the valve 11, as illustrated on the

figure lc.

  At this stage, you can, if necessary, shake

  the device to promote the mixing of the medium

pulser and active product.

  Another quantity of the same propellant means 14 is then injected into the part 10 of the interior volume of the container 3 situated outside the pocket 9, through the orifice 7 The injection can be carried out using a hypodermic needle A inserted in the plug 8 This step is illustrated in FIG. Bag 9 is then purged by pressing

  a few seconds on the stem 13 of the valve 11.

  The container 1, shown in FIG.

is then ready to operate.

  According to another filling possibility, illustrated in FIGS. 2 a-2 e, in a first

  step (figure 2 a), the bag 9 is filled with the quan-

  expected amount of active product 2, as in the case of

figure it.

  The valve 11 is then placed on the opening of the container 3 and a vacuum is made, through this valve 11, in the pocket 9 to eliminate the air which is above the active product 2 This step

illustrated in Figure 2 b.

  The cup 12 is then crimped onto the edge 5 of the container and a quantity of propellant 14 is introduced inside the container.

  the bag 9 by injection through the valve 11.

  This step corresponds to Figure 2c.

  A quantity of the same propellant means 14 is then introduced through the orifice 7, into the volume 10 located outside of the pocket 9, as

illustrated in figure 2 d.

  The bag 9 is then purged by pressing the valve 11 for one or two seconds as illustrated in the

  Figure 2 e and the device 1 is then ready to operate

  tion. Figures 3 a-3 e illustrate a third

possibility of filling.

  Figures 3 a, 3 b correspond to steps identical to those of Figures la, lb and their

description will not be repeated.

  The next step in FIG. 3c corresponds to the introduction of a quantity of propellant means 14 outside the pocket 9 into the volume 10, this

  introduction via orifice 7.

  Bag 9 is then purged

  by pressing valve 11 until the pro-

  active product This step corresponds to Figure 3 d.

  Finally, a quantity of the same propellant means 14 is introduced into the pocket 9 by injection through the valve 11 to result in the

  device 1 of FIG. 3 e which is ready to operate

tion.

  According to a fourth possibility, illustrated in FIGS. 4 a-4 e, in a first step, after having introduced the pocket 9 into the container 3, the valve 11 is placed on the opening of the container and of the pocket and the valve cup 12 on the

ledge 5.

  Then a certain amount of propellant 14 is introduced into the container 3 through the orifice 7, into the volume 10 The pressure exerted by the propellant compresses the pocket 9 as illustrated

schematically in Figure 4 b.

  A complete purge of the air enclosed by the bag 9 is then carried out by pressing on the valve 11. The walls of the bag are applied against each other under the effect of the pressure of the propellant means contained in the volume 10 and the air is expelled to the outside This step is shown schematically

by figure 4 c.

  The active product 2 is then introduced into the pocket 9 by injection through the valve 11 The state of the device at the end of this

  injection is shown in Figure 4 d.

  Finally, a quantity of propellant 14 is introduced into the pocket 9 by injection through

  of the valve 11 to reach the device ready for operation

  Figure illustrated in Figure 4 e.

  Figures 5 a-Se illustrate a fifth

possibility of filling.

  The steps shown in Figures 5a and 5b are identical to those in Figures 4a and 4b and

  their description will not be repeated.

  In the next step, illustrated in FIG. C, the active product 2 is introduced into the bag 9

  by injection through the valve 11.

  Then, a quantity of propellant 14 is introduced into the pocket 9 also by injection through the valve 11; Figure 5 d shows schematically the

  device at the end of this injection.

  Bag 9 is then purged by pressing valve 11 so that the level of the

  active product 2, expanded by the propellant,

  close to the valve il as illustrated in FIG. 5 e.

  Figures 6 a-6 e illustrate a possibility of filling a container 3 without the orifice

  filling the previous figures.

  A quantity of propellant 14 is introduced through the upper opening 4 a of the container

  3 a, cold, i.e. at a temperature sufficient

  low so that the propellant remains in the liquid state under atmospheric pressure The bag 9 is then introduced into the container 3 a then the valve 11 is placed on the opening 4 a and the cup 12 is crimped on the edge 5 a, as illustrated in figure 6 b. The propellant means 14 located in the volume is then trapped in a sealed manner. It is no longer necessary to keep the container 3 a at low temperature. During the next step, illustrated in FIG. 6 c, the active product 2 is introduced inside the bag 9 by injection through

the valve 11. The bag 9 is then purged by actuating the valve 11,

as illustrated on

Figure 6 d.

  Then injected through the valve a quantity of propellant 14 inside

  pocket 9 The device 1a is ready to operate.

  The invention provides a device for distributing

  pressure product which can be used upside down and upside down and which ensures good constancy of the flow rate and of the characteristics of the product delivered.

Claims (9)

  1 Device for dispensing a product under pressure, in particular a foaming product such as   shaving foam, make-up removing foam, body foam   porelle, a hair product or a body deodorant, comprising a container provided, in the upper part, with an opening on which is mounted a dispensing valve, and a flexible pocket placed inside this container to establish a separation between the product to be dispensed and a propellant suitable for maintaining an internal pressure sufficient for the distribution of the product, characterized in that: the active product (2) to be dispensed is located inside the flexible bag (9) and the valve (11) has no dip tube; a quantity of propellant means (14) is introduced into the volume (10) of the container (3) situated around the flexible bag (9);   and the flexible pocket (9) is made in a mem-   brane sufficiently permeable to allow hand-   maintain a balance of the gas pressure of the propellant means (14) between the volume (10) outside the pocket located in the container (3) and the inside of this pocket (9).   2 Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pocket (9) is made of one of the materials belonging to the group:   polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene / terephthalate.   3 Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pocket (9) is constituted by an association of films of polyolefins and / or polyesters.   4 Device according to any one of   Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that   the thickness of the pocket (9) is between 0.2 and   0.6 mm, depending on the nature of the material used for replace the pocket.   Device according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that   that the container (3) has in its wall, in particular in its bottom (6), a filling orifice   (7), closed by a filler cap (8).   6 A method of filling a device according to claim 1, characterized in that: the bag (9) is filled with the active product (2) to be dispensed; the valve (11) is placed over the opening of the container (3) and then it is crimped onto said container (3);   a quantity of propellant means (14) is introduced into the pocket (9) by injection through the valve (11); shake if necessary; another quantity of the same propellant means (14) is injected into the part of the volume (10) inside the container (3) situated outside the pocket (9), through an orifice (7) provided in the wall of the container (3); and we purge the pocket by pressing a few seconds on the valve (11).   7 A method of filling a device according to claim 1, characterized in that: the bag (9) is filled with the active product (2); the valve (11) is placed over the opening (4) of the container (3); vacuum is created to remove the air above the active product (2) in the pocket (9); the valve (11) is crimped on the edge of the opening (4) of the container (3); a quantity of propellant means (14) is introduced inside the pocket (9), by injection through the valve (11); another quantity of the same propellant means (14) is introduced outside the pocket (9) into the container (3), through an orifice (7) placed in the wall of this container (3), in particular at its part lower; purge the pocket (9) by pressing one or two seconds on the valve (11).   8 A method of filling a device according to claim 1, characterized in that: the valve (11) is placed on the container (3); the valve (11) is crimped onto the container (3); a quantity of propellant means (14) is introduced outside the pocket (9), into the container (3), through an orifice (7) provided in the wall of the container (3), in particular at its lower part; a complete purge of the pocket (9) is carried out; the active product (2) is introduced inside the pocket (9) by injection through the valve (11);   another quantity of the same propellant means (14) is introduced into the pocket (9) by injection into the across the valve (11).   9 Method of filling a device   tif according to claim 1, characterized in that: the valve (11) is placed; the valve (11) is crimped onto the container (3); an amount of propellant (14) is introduced outside the pocket (9), through an orifice (7) located in the wall of the container (3); the active product (2) to be dispensed is introduced into the pocket (9) by injection through the valve (11);   another quantity of the same propellant means (14) is introduced into the pocket by injection through the valve (11); shake if necessary; and the bag (9) is purged.   10 A method of filling a device according to claim 1, comprising a container without a filling orifice in its wall, characterized in that: a quantity of cold propellant (14) is introduced inside the container (3 at); the pocket (9) is introduced into the container (3 a) and the valve (11) is placed on the opening (4 a) of the container (3 a); the valve (11) is crimped on the edge of the opening (4a) of the container (3a); the bag (9) is purged; and another quantity of the same propellant means (14) is introduced into the pocket (9)   by injection through the valve (11).