GB2178398A - Metering valve for pressurised dispensing containers - Google Patents

Metering valve for pressurised dispensing containers Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2178398A
GB2178398A GB08616697A GB8616697A GB2178398A GB 2178398 A GB2178398 A GB 2178398A GB 08616697 A GB08616697 A GB 08616697A GB 8616697 A GB8616697 A GB 8616697A GB 2178398 A GB2178398 A GB 2178398A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
valve
chamber
annular
support means
seal
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB08616697A
Other versions
GB8616697D0 (en
Inventor
Richard John Warby
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Consort Medical PLC
Original Assignee
Bespak PLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bespak PLC filed Critical Bespak PLC
Publication of GB8616697D0 publication Critical patent/GB8616697D0/en
Publication of GB2178398A publication Critical patent/GB2178398A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
    • B65D83/44—Valves specially adapted therefor; Regulating devices
    • B65D83/52—Valves specially adapted therefor; Regulating devices for metering
    • B65D83/54—Metering valves ; Metering valve assemblies
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F11/00—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it
    • G01F11/28—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with stationary measuring chambers having constant volume during measurement
    • G01F11/30—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with stationary measuring chambers having constant volume during measurement with supply and discharge valves of the lift or plug-lift type
    • G01F11/32—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with stationary measuring chambers having constant volume during measurement with supply and discharge valves of the lift or plug-lift type for liquid or semiliquid

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Abstract

A metering valve for use in a pressurised dispensing container has a valve member (1) co-axially slidable within an annular metering chamber (2). Outer and inner seals (4,5,) seal an annular metering cavity (13) within the chamber and the valve member is slidable between an inoperative position (shown) in which the chamber is connected to the container via ports (10) and (11) and charged with material therefrom and an operative position in which the chamber is isolated from the container and vented to atmosphere via (9) for the discharge of material. The valve further includes a radially inwardly directed support (17) within the chamber whereby the outer seal (4) is supported against deformation in use. Support (17) may be an annular washer of metal or plastics; may be of L-shaped cross-section, may be continuous or castellated, and may be bonded to the chamber (2). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to metering valves for pressurised dispensing containers This invention relates to metering valves for pressurised dispensing containers.
According to the present invention a metering valve for use in a pressurised dispensing container comprises a valve member coaxially slideable within an annular metering chamber and an outer and an inner annular seal operative between the respective outer and inner ends of the chamber and the valve member to seal an annular metering cavity therebetween, which member includes ducting means whereby in an inoperative position of the member the chamber is connected to the container and charged with material therefrom and in an operative position of the member the chamber is isolated from the container and vented to atmosphere for the discharge of material, and wherein the valve further includes radially inwardly directed support means within the chamber whereby the outer seal is supported against deformation in use.
It has hitherto been a problem that deformation by flexing of the seal may occur as a result of movement of the valve member so that the seal becomes dished.
Furthermore, deformation of the seal under radial compression has occurred in which the seal distends axially with consequent loss of contact pressure against the static valve member. These problems have been exacerbated where it is desirable to use a cavity of relatively large radial dimension so that the seal spans a larger gap and where the material to be dispensed is a powder since any such deformation may allow the ingress of powder between the seal and the member thereby reducing the effectiveness of the seal.
Preferably the support means is an annular support member such as a washer or alternatively may be L-shaped in cross section having an axially extending annular portion and a radially extending annular portion so that the axially extending portion facilitates positive location of the support member within the chamber.
Alternatively the support means may be discontinuous or castellated and conveniently the support means and chamber may be of integral construction.
Alternatively the support means may be bonded to the chamber for example by ultrasonic welding, staking, or solvent bonding where both support means and chamber are of plastic materials.
The support means may alternatively by of a metallic material such as stainless steel.
Particular embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a sectional view of a conventional metering valve as known in the prior art for use in a pressurised dispensing container, Figure 2 is a sectional view of a metering valve in accordance with the present invention and having an annular support member in the form of a stainless steel washer, Figure 3 is a sectional view of a metering chamber having an L-Shaped support member, Figure 4 is a sectional view of a metering chamber having an annular support member of a plastics material, Figure 5 is a sectional view of a metering chamber having an alternative support member with a depending skirt, and Figure 6 is a sectional view of a metering chamber having an alternative support member formed integrally with the lip of the chamber.
The conventional metering valve of Figure 1 includes a valve member (1) which is axially slideable within an annular metering chamber (2). An outer seal (4) and an inner seal (5) of elastomeric material extend radially between the member (1) and the chamber (2).
The seal is radially compressed between the chamber (2) and the member (1) so as to provide positive sealing contact, the compression being achieved by using a seal which is an interference fit on the valve member (1) and/or by crimping the structure surrounding the chamber during assembly.
The upper end (7) of the valve member (1) is a hollow tube which is closed at the flange (8) and which includes a discharge port (9) extending radially through the member adjacent to the flange. Also formed in the valve member is a metering passage comprising a pair of spaced radial ports (10) and (11) which are inter-connected through a central cavity (12).
An annular cavity (13) enclosed between the chamber (2) and the valve member (1) is sealed from the atmosphere by the outer seal (4) and from a pressurised container (not shown) by the inner seal (5). In the illustration of the valve, the radial ports (10) and (11) together with the central cavity (12) connect the cavity (13) with the container so that the metering chamber (2) would in this condition be charged with material to be dispensed.
Upon depression of the valve member (1) the radial port (10) becomes sealed by the inner seal (5) so that the cavity (13) is isolated from the pressurised container. Upon further depression the discharge port (9) communicates between the cavity (13) and the hollow upper end (7) of the valve member so that the pressurised material within the chamber (2) is discharged to the atmosphere. Upon returning the valve member to its original position the chamber becomes recharged in readiness for further dispensing operations.
A return spring (15) positively locates the valve member in its original position in which the flange (8) is held in sealing contact with the outer seal (4).
The prior art arrangement shown in Figure 1 is subject to the disadvantages that the outer seal (4) becomes dished in use, i.e. the innermost portion deforms by flexing downwardly due to the downward motion of the valve member (1) thus restricting the travel of the valve member (1) on its return.
A further disadvantage is that the seal (4) tends to deform by distending axially under radial pressure so that the contact pressure between the seal and the valve member (1) is diminished with consequent loss of sealing effectiveness.
The valve shown in Figure (2) is similar to that of Figure 1 but includes a metering chamber (2) of larger diameter. An annular support member (17) extends radially inwardly from the chamber (2) to support the outer seal (4) against deformation by flexing during downward motion of the valve member (1) and against axial deformation under radial compression in the static situation. The support member (17) is in the form of a flat washer of stainless steel and in the preferred embodiment has a thickness of 0.25mm.
In Figure 3 the chamber (2) is fitted with a support member (18) of L-Shaped cross-section which locates positively in a cylindrical bore with a shoulder (19).
An alternative arrangement is shown in Figure 4 in which a support member (21) comprising a washer of a plastics material is similarly located within the chamber (2). The thickness of this support member in a preferred embodiment is 1.1 5mm.
The alternative arrangement of Figure 5 has a support member 25 including a depending skirt 26 which extends the length of the chamber and locates the support member without the need for a shoulder (e.g. the shoulders 19 of Figures 3 and 4).
The further alternative arrangement of Figure 6 has a support member 27 formed integrally with a lip 28 of the chamber so that the member forms an end portion of the chamber rather than being located within the chamber.
The above support members (18), (21), (25) and (27) in preferred embodiments are of a plastics material such as polyformaldehyde.
The present invention has particular application to pharmaceutical metering valves and in the example illustrated a metered dose of 100 microlitres is dispensed. A particular application in which the invention may be used is that of dispensing powders where deformation of the outer seal is particularly problematic since the ingress of powder between the outer seal (4) and the valve member (1) can cause leakage of propellant.
Whilst the invention has been described with reference to a particular type of metering valve chamber it will be apparent that the support means could be used in other types of metering valve chamber having otherwise unsupported seals.

Claims (9)

1. A metering valve for use in a pressurised dispensing container, the valve comprising a valve member co-axially slideable within an annular meter ing chamber and an outer and an inner annular seal operative between the respective outer and inner ends of the chamber and the valve member to seal an annular metering cavity therebetween, which member includes ducting means whereby in an inoperative position of the member the chamber is connected to the container and charged with material therefrom and in an operative position of the member the chamber is isolated from the container and vented to atmosphere for the discharge of material, and wherein the valve further includes radially inwardly directed support means within the chamber whereby the outer seal is supported against deformation in use.
2. A valve as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the support means is an annular support member.
3. A valve as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the annular support member is L-shaped in cross section, having an axially extending annular portion and a radially extending annular portion.
4. A valve as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the support means is discontinuous or castellated.
5. A valve as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the support means and the chamber are of integral construction.
6. A valve as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the support means is bonded to the chamber.
7. A valve as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the support means is of a metallic material.
8. A valve as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the support means is of a plastics material.
9. A valve substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings or as modified in Figures 3 and 4.
GB08616697A 1985-07-17 1986-07-09 Metering valve for pressurised dispensing containers Withdrawn GB2178398A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB858518014A GB8518014D0 (en) 1985-07-17 1985-07-17 Metering valves

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8616697D0 GB8616697D0 (en) 1986-08-13
GB2178398A true GB2178398A (en) 1987-02-11

Family

ID=10582404

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB858518014A Pending GB8518014D0 (en) 1985-07-17 1985-07-17 Metering valves
GB08616697A Withdrawn GB2178398A (en) 1985-07-17 1986-07-09 Metering valve for pressurised dispensing containers

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB858518014A Pending GB8518014D0 (en) 1985-07-17 1985-07-17 Metering valves

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (2) GB8518014D0 (en)

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4863073A (en) * 1986-10-15 1989-09-05 Glaxo Group Limited Valve for aerosol container
US4953759A (en) * 1989-04-14 1990-09-04 Vernay Laboratories, Inc. Metering valve for dispensing aerosols
US5477992A (en) * 1993-03-23 1995-12-26 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Metered-dose aerosol valves
EP0694484A1 (en) * 1994-07-28 1996-01-31 Coster Tecnologie Speciali S.P.A. Metering or continuously discharging valve for pressurized fluids
GB2316673A (en) * 1996-09-03 1998-03-04 Bespak Plc Metering valve
FR2767801A1 (en) * 1997-09-03 1999-03-05 Bespak Plc IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO DOSING VALVES FOR PRESSURIZED CONTAINER DISPENSERS
WO1999036334A1 (en) 1998-01-20 1999-07-22 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Aerosol dispenser
WO2001079079A1 (en) * 2000-04-14 2001-10-25 Presspart Manufacturing Ltd. Valve assembly for metered dose dispensers
FR2842180A1 (en) * 2002-07-15 2004-01-16 Valois Sa Dosing valve for fluid product dispenser has support fixed to valve housing and extending radially towards valve stem
GB2401099A (en) * 2003-04-30 2004-11-03 Bespak Plc Improvements in valves for pressurised dispensing containers
US6863195B2 (en) 2001-12-31 2005-03-08 3M Innovative Properties Company Valve stem for use in a metering valve of a metered dose inhaler
US7735696B2 (en) 2003-04-30 2010-06-15 Consort Medical Plc Metering valve
US20100258757A1 (en) * 2007-06-11 2010-10-14 Valois Sas Valve for dispensing a fluid product and device for dispensing a fluid product including such valve
US20100327026A1 (en) * 2007-11-26 2010-12-30 Valois Sas valve
WO2012072962A1 (en) 2010-12-03 2012-06-07 Valois Sas Valve for dispensing a fluid material

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1007401A (en) * 1962-11-29 1965-10-13 Rhone Poulenc Sa Containers for dispensing liquids under gaseous pressure

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1007401A (en) * 1962-11-29 1965-10-13 Rhone Poulenc Sa Containers for dispensing liquids under gaseous pressure

Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2195986B (en) * 1986-10-15 1990-02-14 Glaxo Group Ltd Valve for aerosol container
US4863073A (en) * 1986-10-15 1989-09-05 Glaxo Group Limited Valve for aerosol container
US4953759A (en) * 1989-04-14 1990-09-04 Vernay Laboratories, Inc. Metering valve for dispensing aerosols
WO1990012743A1 (en) * 1989-04-14 1990-11-01 Vernay Laboratories, Inc. Metering valve for dispensing aerosols
US5477992A (en) * 1993-03-23 1995-12-26 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Metered-dose aerosol valves
EP0694484A1 (en) * 1994-07-28 1996-01-31 Coster Tecnologie Speciali S.P.A. Metering or continuously discharging valve for pressurized fluids
GB2316673B (en) * 1996-09-03 1999-12-29 Bespak Plc Metering valve
GB2316673A (en) * 1996-09-03 1998-03-04 Bespak Plc Metering valve
US5904274A (en) * 1996-09-03 1999-05-18 Bespak, Plc Metering valve
US6095182A (en) * 1997-09-03 2000-08-01 Bespak Plc Metering valves for pressurised dispensing containers
FR2767801A1 (en) * 1997-09-03 1999-03-05 Bespak Plc IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO DOSING VALVES FOR PRESSURIZED CONTAINER DISPENSERS
FR2779705A1 (en) * 1997-09-03 1999-12-17 Bespak Plc IMPROVEMENT WITH OR RELATING TO DOSING VALVES FOR PRESSURIZED DISPENSER CONTAINERS
WO1999036334A1 (en) 1998-01-20 1999-07-22 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Aerosol dispenser
WO2001079079A1 (en) * 2000-04-14 2001-10-25 Presspart Manufacturing Ltd. Valve assembly for metered dose dispensers
US6863195B2 (en) 2001-12-31 2005-03-08 3M Innovative Properties Company Valve stem for use in a metering valve of a metered dose inhaler
FR2842180A1 (en) * 2002-07-15 2004-01-16 Valois Sa Dosing valve for fluid product dispenser has support fixed to valve housing and extending radially towards valve stem
US7793805B2 (en) 2003-04-30 2010-09-14 Consort Medical Plc Metering valve
US7735696B2 (en) 2003-04-30 2010-06-15 Consort Medical Plc Metering valve
GB2401099A (en) * 2003-04-30 2004-11-03 Bespak Plc Improvements in valves for pressurised dispensing containers
US7793806B2 (en) 2003-04-30 2010-09-14 Consort Medical Plc Metering valve
US20100258757A1 (en) * 2007-06-11 2010-10-14 Valois Sas Valve for dispensing a fluid product and device for dispensing a fluid product including such valve
US20100327026A1 (en) * 2007-11-26 2010-12-30 Valois Sas valve
US8408431B2 (en) * 2007-11-26 2013-04-02 Aptar France Sas Valve
WO2012072962A1 (en) 2010-12-03 2012-06-07 Valois Sas Valve for dispensing a fluid material
FR2968283A1 (en) * 2010-12-03 2012-06-08 Valois Sas VALVE OF DISTRIBUTION OF FLUID PRODUCT.
CN103328346A (en) * 2010-12-03 2013-09-25 阿普塔尔法国简易股份公司 Valve for dispensing a fluid material

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8616697D0 (en) 1986-08-13
GB8518014D0 (en) 1985-08-21

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)

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