GB2298187A - Metering valve - Google Patents

Metering valve Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2298187A
GB2298187A GB9503716A GB9503716A GB2298187A GB 2298187 A GB2298187 A GB 2298187A GB 9503716 A GB9503716 A GB 9503716A GB 9503716 A GB9503716 A GB 9503716A GB 2298187 A GB2298187 A GB 2298187A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
valve member
metering
valve
chamber body
ribs
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Withdrawn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
GB9503716A
Other versions
GB9503716D0 (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
Priority to GB9503716A priority Critical patent/GB2298187A/en
Publication of GB9503716D0 publication Critical patent/GB9503716D0/en
Publication of GB2298187A publication Critical patent/GB2298187A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • 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
    • B65D83/42—Filling or charging means
    • B65D83/425—Delivery valves permitting filling or charging
    • 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
    • G01F11/10—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 measuring chambers moved during operation
    • G01F11/26—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 measuring chambers moved during operation wherein the measuring chamber is filled and emptied by tilting or inverting the supply vessel, e.g. bottle-emptying apparatus
    • G01F11/262—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 measuring chambers moved during operation wherein the measuring chamber is filled and emptied by tilting or inverting the supply vessel, e.g. bottle-emptying apparatus for liquid or semi-liquid
    • G01F11/263—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 measuring chambers moved during operation wherein the measuring chamber is filled and emptied by tilting or inverting the supply vessel, e.g. bottle-emptying apparatus for liquid or semi-liquid with valves
    • 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
    • G01F11/36—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 or discharge valves of the rectilinearly-moved slide type
    • G01F11/38—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 or discharge valves of the rectilinearly-moved slide type for liquid or semiliquid

Landscapes

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

Abstract

A metering valve for a dispenser of the type typically used to dispense products in aerosol form. The metering valve comprises a valve member 1 co-axially slidable within an annular metering chamber 13 defined between the valve member 1 and a cylindrical chamber body 2, the metering valve further comprising an outer seal 4 operable between the valve member 1 and an outer end portion of the chamber body 2 to seal an outlet duct of the valve member 1 when the valve member 1 is in an inoperative position, the valve member 1 being slidable to an operative position in which the contents of the metering chamber 13 are dischargeable in use via the outlet duct, and wherein the chamber body 2 comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs 16 extending parallel to the cylindrical axis of the chamber body 2 and projecting radially inwardly therefrom into the metering chamber 13 whereby the ribs 16 define respective outer end faces contacting the outer seal 4 so as to support the outer seal 4 against deformation in use.

Description

METERING VALVE This invention relates to metering valves for pressurised dispensing containers.
Pressurised dispensing containers are typically used to dispense products in aerosol form using a propellant which is volatile at normal temperature and pressure, the product to be dispensed being mixed with liquid propellant which remains in liquid phase by virtue of excess vapour pressure within the container.
Metering valves are utilised to dispense measured volumes of this liquid and comprise a metering chamber with inlet and outlet valves controlled by displacement of a valve member which defines an outlet duct.
Operation of the metering valve requires the chamber to be filled via the inlet valve, the inlet valve then closed and the outlet valve opened such that the contents are expelled by boiling off propellant in response to the chamber being vented to atmospheric pressure.
The present invention is concerned with improving the performance of the outlet valve which comprises an outer seal maintaining sliding contact with the valve member.
According to the present invention there is disclosed a metering valve for use in a pressurised dispensing container, the metering valve comprising a valve member co-axially slidable within an annular metering chamber defined between the valve member and a cylindrical chamber body, the metering valve further comprising an outer seal operable between the valve member and an outer end portion of the chamber body to seal an outlet duct of the valve member when the valve member is in an inoperative position, the valve member being slidable to an operative position in which the contents of the metering chamber are dischargeable in use via the outlet duct, and wherein the chamber body comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs extending parallel to the cylindrical axis of the chamber body and projecting radially inwardly therefrom into the metering chamber whereby the ribs define respective outer end faces contacting the outer seal so as to support the outer seal against deformation in use.
An advantage of such an arrangement is to provide a convenient means of supporting the outer seal against any deformation in use which would tend to distort the outer seal away from its normal sealing position relative to the valve member.
In particular, such ribs may be easily moulded at the time of moulding the chamber body using an axially moving mould tool. The need for complex moulding operations is thereby avoided. Similarly, the use of such integrally formed ribs avoids the need for a separate component to be provided in the metering chamber in order to support the outer seal.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a metering valve in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of a chamber body of the valve of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of the chamber body of Figure 2.
The metering valve of Figure 1 comprises a valve member 1 which is axially slidable within an annular chamber body 2 mounted coaxially within a valve housing 3.
An outer seal 4 and an inner seal 5 of elastomeric material extend radially between the valve member 1 and the chamber body 2.
(Throughout the description, unless otherwise indicated, the terms inner and outer indicate relative positions along the axis of the metering valve such that "inner" implies proximal to the container and "outer" implies distal with respect of the container.) The outer seal 4 is radially compressed between the chamber body 2 and the valve member 1 so as to provide positive sealing contact, the compression being achieved by dimensioning the outer seal such that it is an interference fit on the valve member 1 or by axially compressing the outer seal by crimping a ferrule 6 which secures together the valve housing 3, the chamber body 2 and the outer seal 4 during assembly.
An upper end portion 7 of the valve member 1 is tubular and hollow but closed internally at a location corresponding to an external radially projecting flange 8. A discharge port 9 is defined in the upper end portion 7 at a location immediately above the flange 8 so as to extend radially into communication with the interior of the upper end portion.
Also formed in the valve member 1 is an inlet passage comprising a pair of axially spaced radial ports 10 and 11 which are interconnected through a central cavity 12 within the valve member.
An annular metering chamber 13 is enclosed between the chamber body 2 and the valve member 1 and is normally sealed from the atmosphere by the outer seal 4 when the valve member 1 is in its inoperative position (as shown in Figure 1). In the configuration shown in Figure 1, the radial ports 10 and 11 together with the central cavity 12 connect the metering chamber 13 with the interior of the container so that the metering chamber 13 would in this configuration be filled with fluid material to be dispensed when the container and valve are held in an inverted position in which the valve member 1 is lowermost.
Upon depression of the valve member 1 relative to the valve housing 3, the radial port 10 becomes sealed by the inner seal 5 so that the metering chamber 13 is isolated from the interior of the pressurised container. Upon further depression of the valve member 1 into its operative position, the discharge port 9 moves into a position in which it communicates between the metering chamber 13 and the hollow interior of the upper end portion 7 of the valve member thereby constituting an outlet duct such that the pressurised material within the metering chamber 13 is discharged to the atmosphere by virtue of the rapid expansion of volatile propellant on being exposed to atmospheric pressure. Upon returning the valve member 1 to its inoperative position as shown in Figure 1, the metering chamber 13 becomes recharged in readiness for further dispensing operations.
A return spring 15 extends in compression between the valve housing 3 and a second flange 14 of the valve member, the bias provided by the spring being operable to hold the flange 8 in sealing contact with the outer seal 4.
A problem associated with prior art arrangements in metering valves for pressurised dispensers is that the outer seal 4 becomes dished in use i.e. its radially innermost portion becomes deformed by flexing in an axial direction towards the interior of the metering chamber 13 due to adherence to the valve member 1. This deformation of the outer seal 4 tends to restrict the travel of the valve member 1 on its return. The deformation of the seal into the metering chamber during actuation results in expulsion of propellant product affecting the accuracy of the dispensed material. A further disadvantage is that the outer seal 4 tends to deform by distending axially under radial pressure so that the contact pressure between the outer seal and the valve member 1 is diminished with consequent loss of sealing effectiveness.
These problems are overcome in accordance with the present invention by the inclusion of paraxially extending ribs 16 which are moulded unitarily with the chamber body 2 and which are circumferentially spaced as shown in Figure 2 and 3. In the example illustrated, there are four such ribs 16 but the number of ribs may be varied typically between a minimum of three and a maximum of eight.
Each of the ribs 16 extends the full axial length of the internal cylindrical surface of the chamber body 2 and parallel to its cylindrical axis such that each rib has an outer end face 17 which constitutes a support for the outer seal 4, thereby tending to resist any deformation in the axial direction of the outer seal.
As shown in plan view in Figure 2, the chamber body 2 also defines two radial slots 18 in an inner end wall 19 of the chamber body which projects radially inwardly into communication with a central aperture through which the valve member 1 extends, the radial slots 18 being used during pressure filling of the container through the valve and allowing the inner seal 5 to be unseated in the location of the slots in response to the filling pressure.
As shown in Figure 3, the shape of the chamber body 2 is convenient to mould in that the internal features of the body can be defined by a single axial movement of a mould tool. It is for this reason that the ribs 16 are formed along the full axial extent of the internal surface of the chamber body and merge with the inner end wall 19 of the chamber body.
The present invention has particular application to pharmaceutical metering valves in which the volume of the metering chamber 13 is typically of the order of 50 to 100 micro litres. The need to provide such ribs 16 to support the outer seal 4 is particularly important when using a material for the outer seal which does not include a carbon filler. Such "clean" rubbers are preferred when dispensing certain products but have an increased tendency to adhere to the plastics material of the valve member 1, particularly after any period of non-use.

Claims (7)

CLAIMS:
1. A metering valve for use in a pressurised dispensing container, the metering valve comprising a valve member co-axially slidable within an annular metering chamber defined between the valve member and a cylindrical chamber body, the metering valve further comprising an outer seal operable between the valve member and an outer end portion of the chamber body to seal an outlet duct of the valve member when the valve member is in an inoperative position, the valve member being slidable to an operative position in which the contents of the metering chamber are dischargeable in use via the outlet duct, and wherein the chamber body comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs extending parallel to the cylindrical axis of the chamber body and projecting radially inwardly therefrom into the metering chamber whereby the ribs define respective outer end faces contacting the outer seal so as to support the outer seal against deformation in use.
2. A metering valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ribs comprise inner end portions merging with an annular inner end wall of the chamber body.
3. A metering valve as claimed in claim 2 wherein the inner end wall defines a central aperture through which the valve member extends, an inner seal extending in contact with the inner end wall into sliding engagement with the valve member, and wherein the inner end wall defines at least one radial slot communicating with the aperture.
4. A metering valve as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the number of ribs is in the range 3 to 8.
5. A metering valve as claimed in claim 4 wherein there are six ribs.
6. A metering valve as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the ribs are circumferentially equispaced.
7. A metering valve substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
GB9503716A 1995-02-24 1995-02-24 Metering valve Withdrawn GB2298187A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9503716A GB2298187A (en) 1995-02-24 1995-02-24 Metering valve

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9503716A GB2298187A (en) 1995-02-24 1995-02-24 Metering valve

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9503716D0 GB9503716D0 (en) 1995-04-12
GB2298187A true GB2298187A (en) 1996-08-28

Family

ID=10770177

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9503716A Withdrawn GB2298187A (en) 1995-02-24 1995-02-24 Metering valve

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2298187A (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2316673A (en) * 1996-09-03 1998-03-04 Bespak Plc Metering valve
WO1999036334A1 (en) 1998-01-20 1999-07-22 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Aerosol dispenser
GB2340477A (en) * 1998-08-13 2000-02-23 Bespak Plc Metering valve
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
US6926178B1 (en) 1999-08-07 2005-08-09 Glaxo Group Limited Valve with a two-component seal
US7350676B2 (en) 1996-12-27 2008-04-01 Smithkline Beecham Corporation Valve for aerosol container

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5169038A (en) * 1992-01-15 1992-12-08 Valois (Societe Anonyme) Metering valve usable in the upsidedown position

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5169038A (en) * 1992-01-15 1992-12-08 Valois (Societe Anonyme) Metering valve usable in the upsidedown position

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2316673A (en) * 1996-09-03 1998-03-04 Bespak Plc Metering valve
US5904274A (en) * 1996-09-03 1999-05-18 Bespak, Plc Metering valve
GB2316673B (en) * 1996-09-03 1999-12-29 Bespak Plc Metering valve
US7350676B2 (en) 1996-12-27 2008-04-01 Smithkline Beecham Corporation Valve for aerosol container
WO1999036334A1 (en) 1998-01-20 1999-07-22 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Aerosol dispenser
GB2340477A (en) * 1998-08-13 2000-02-23 Bespak Plc Metering valve
GB2340477B (en) * 1998-08-13 2001-04-11 Bespak Plc Metering valve
US6926178B1 (en) 1999-08-07 2005-08-09 Glaxo Group Limited Valve with a two-component seal
US7383970B2 (en) 1999-08-07 2008-06-10 Glaxo Group Limited Valve with a two-component seal
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

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9503716D0 (en) 1995-04-12

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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)