GB2467579A - Container with metering valve for dispensing fluid containing a suspended solid - Google Patents

Container with metering valve for dispensing fluid containing a suspended solid Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2467579A
GB2467579A GB0902028A GB0902028A GB2467579A GB 2467579 A GB2467579 A GB 2467579A GB 0902028 A GB0902028 A GB 0902028A GB 0902028 A GB0902028 A GB 0902028A GB 2467579 A GB2467579 A GB 2467579A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
valve body
storage volume
container
valve
metering
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB0902028A
Other versions
GB0902028D0 (en
GB2467579B (en
Inventor
Paul Allsop
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 Ltd
Original Assignee
Consort Medical Ltd
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 Consort Medical Ltd filed Critical Consort Medical Ltd
Priority to GB0902028A priority Critical patent/GB2467579B/en
Publication of GB0902028D0 publication Critical patent/GB0902028D0/en
Publication of GB2467579A publication Critical patent/GB2467579A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2467579B publication Critical patent/GB2467579B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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
    • 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
    • B65D83/32—Dip-tubes
    • 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

Landscapes

  • 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 container 1, with a metering valve 10, has an open end 3 defining a storage volume 2 for storing a liquefied product, preferably one containing a suspended solid. The metering valve 10 is connected to the container 1 to seal the open end 3, and is operable to dispense metered doses of said liquefied product. The metering valve 10 consists of a valve body 14, a valve stem 11, and a metering chamber 13 within the valve body 14. The valve body 14 has a lower end 42 proximate the open end 3 of the container 1, and an upper end 43 extending into the storage volume 2 of the container 1 away from the open end 3. The upper end 43 of the valve body 14 has an upper inlet 46 through which liquefied product is able to pass from the storage volume 2 into the valve body 14 and whence into the metering chamber 13. There is further provided a flexible conduit 50, preferably in the form of a tube, connected to, or formed as part of, the upper end 43 of the valve body 14. The flexible conduit 50 defines an inlet flow path from the storage volume of the container to the upper inlet of the valve body 14. A distal end 52 of the flexible conduit 50 descends towards the lower end of the valve body 14 as the quantity of liquefied product in the storage volume 2 decreases. The valve body 14 may also have a lower inlet (ref 48, fig 2) near to the lower end of the valve body 14. In another variation the flexible conduit 50 is replaced with a funnel (see fig 5). A method of dispensing from such a container 1 is also described.

Description

--
IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO DISPENSING APPARATUS
The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to dispensing apparatus and, in particular, to dispensing apparatus for dispensing liquefied products in metered doses.
Dispensing apparatus for dispensing metered doses of a liquefied product for example a pressurised metered dose inhaler, are well known in the art. Typically, a dispensing apparatus comprises a metering valve connected to a container having an open end which defines a storage volume for storing a liquefied product. An example of the suitable metering valve is shown in GB 2417479. The metering valve acts on each actuation of the valve stem to dispense a metered volume of liquefied product. Typically, the liquefied product comprises an active ingredient and a volatile propellant such that on actuation of the metering valve the volatile propellant rapidly boils off such that the rapid expansion of the propellant propels the active ingredient out of the metering chamber of the metering valve to the exterior of the device. After each actuation of the metering valve, the metering chamber is refilled from the storage volume within the container. Depending on the type of metering valve used, the metering chamber of the metering valve may be refilled immediately after the actuation of the metering valve or may be filled immediately preceding the next actuation of the metering valve. For example in the metering valve shown in GB 2417479, the metering chamber is designed to be filled rapidly on inversion of the dispensing apparatus immediately prior to the actuation of the metering valve. The alternative arrangement involves the use of capillary action to retain liquefied product within the metering chamber for a significant period of time between actuations of the metering valve.
The components of the metering valve including the valve stem, seals and biasing means are held in position using a valve body which is sealingly connected to the container by use of a gasket. The valve body must comprise an inlet to allow flow of liquefied product from the storage volume of the container into the metering chamber of the metering valve. It is desirable that the dispensing apparatus dispenses a consistent and accurate volume of liquefied product on each actuation and also that each dose of liquefied product dispensed contains a consistent and accurate amount of the active ingredient. A problem has been found where the active ingredient is provided in the form of a suspension within the liquefied propellant. With certain formulations the liquefied product within the storage volume can lose its homogeneity. For example, where the active ingredient tend to float within the liquefied propellant over time a situation can arise where the liquefied propellant within the storage volume at an upper end that is furthest removed from the metering valve when the dispensing apparatus is orientated with the metering valve lowermost can contain relatively large amounts of the active ingredient whereas the liquefied product at the lower end of the storage volume that is nearest the metering valve in the orientation described above contains relatively little active ingredient. Since with typical metering valves such as that described in GB 2417479 the metering chamber is filled through an inlet in the valve body which is relatively close to the lower end of the storage volume it has been found that this can lead to initial doses of the product containing relatively little active ingredient. The result of this is that as doses continue to be dispensed from the dispensing apparatus, the amount of active ingredient in each dose tends to increase as the more concentrated zone of liquefied product descends towards the valve body inlet.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing apparatus which at least partially overcomes the problems outlined above.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a dispensing apparatus comprising a container and a metering valve, the container having an open end and defining a storage volume for storing a liquefied product, the metering valve being connected to the container to seal the open end and being operable to dispense metered doses of said liquefied product; the metering valve comprising a valve body and a valve stem, the metering valve further comprising a metering chamber within the valve body; the valve body having a lower end proximate to the open end of the container and an upper end extending into the storage volume of the container away from the open end of the container, the upper end of the valve body comprising an upper inlet through which liquefied product is able to pass from the storage volume into the valve body so as to pass into the metering chamber; characterised in that the dispensing apparatus further comprises a flexible conduit connected to, or formed as part of, the upper end of the valve body, the flexible conduit defining an inlet flow path from the storage volume of the container to the upper inlet of the valve body, wherein a distal end of the flexible conduit floats within said liquefied product in use and wherein the position of the distal end of the flexible conduit descends towards the lower end of the valve body as the quantity of said liquefied product in the storage volume decreases.
Advantageously, with the dispensing apparatus of the present invention the precise position of the distal end of the flexible conduit can be chosen when, say, the dispensing apparatus is in an initial full state to ensure accurate levels of active ingredient in each metered dose of product.
In one embodiment the flexible conduit comprises an elongate cylindrical tube. Preferably the elongate flexible tube is formed from one or more materials selected from the group of silicone, low density polyethylene, low density polyethylene blended with ethylene vinyl acetate and low density polyethylene blended with butyl.
In another embodiment the flexible conduit comprises a concertinaed tube whose axial length shortens as the quantity of said liquefied product in the storage volume decreases. Preferably, the concertinaed tube is formed from one or more materials selected from the group of silicone, low density polyethylene, low density polyethylene blended with ethylene vinyl acetate and low density polyethylene blended with butyl.
Advantageously, the material, thickness, density, etc. of the flexible conduit can be chosen to modify how the distal end of the flexible conduit descends within the storage volume during the lifetime of the dispensing apparatus. Optionally a means of weighting the distal end, or alternatively providing buoyancy to the distal end of the flexible conduit can be used to fine tune the behaviour of the flexible conduit during the life of the apparatus as the level of liquefied product within the storage volume decreases. For example, a leaded weight or similar could be attached to the flexible conduit if a greater density for the conduit was required. Conversely, a piece of closed cell foam may be attached if a reduction in density of the conduit was required. As will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art, the particular position desired for the distal end of the flexible conduit at the start of the pack life of the dispensing apparatus and its behaviour during the life of the dispensing apparatus will vary dependent on the particular characteristics of the propellant, active ingredient, size of container, etc. However, according to the present invention such variance may easily be accommodated by varying the material, thickness or length, for example, of the conduit or by adding additional weighting or buoyancy aids.
The valve body may further comprise a lower valve body inlet through which liquefied product is able to pass from the storage volume into the valve body so as to pass into the metering chamber.
Preferably the cross-sectional area of the lower inlet is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the upper inlet.
The present invention further provides dispensing apparatus comprising a container and a metering valve, the container having a closed end and an open end and defining a storage volume containing a liquefied product, the metering valve being connected to the container to seal the open end and being operable to dispense metered doses of said liquefied product; the dispensing apparatus initially being filled with a first quantity of liquefied product to define a full state, wherein in said full state and with the metering valve lowermost a full liquid level is defined as the free liquid surface of the first quantity of the liquefied propellant within the storage volume; the metering valve comprising a valve body and a valve stem, the metering valve further comprising a metering chamber within the valve body; the valve body having a lower end proximate to the open end of the container and an upper end extending into the storage volume of the container away from the open end of the container, the upper end of the valve body comprising an upper inlet through which liquefied product is able to pass from the storage volume into the valve body so as to pass into the metering chamber; wherein the valve body further comprises a lower inlet, nearer to the lower end of the valve body than the upper inlet, through which liquefied product is also able to pass from the storage volume into the valve body so as to pass into the metering chamber; characterised in that the upper inlet is located at a level between 40% and 80% of the full liquid level.
Advantageously, with the dispensing apparatus of the present invention the precise position of the upper inlet can be chosen when, say, the dispensing apparatus is in an initial full state to ensure accurate levels of active ingredient in each metered dose of product. The upper inlet may be located at a level between 40% and 80% of the full liquid level, preferably, between 50% and 75%, more preferably between 60% and 70%.
Preferably the cross-sectional area of the lower inlet is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the upper inlet.
By adjustment of the relative sizes of the upper inlet and lower inlet of the valve body the performance of the metering valve can be fine-tuned. For example, in a case where the product in the lower regions of the storage volume is liable to become depleted in active ingredient due to up-floating of the active ingredient suspension it is desirable to fill the metering chamber with product taken primarily from the upper region of the storage volume through the upper inlet. This is achieved by ensuring the cross- sectional area of the lower inlet is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the upper inlet. As will be apparent to the skilled person the exact relative sizes of the two inlets required will depend on the particular characteristics of the active ingredient, propellant and size of storage volume.
The valve body may be formed as a single piece.
Alternatively the valve body comprises a first piece sealingly connected to the open end of the container and housing therein the metering chamber and a second piece connectable to the first piece; wherein the second piece comprises the upper inlet of the valve body and the first and second pieces are in fluid communication via transfer openings to thereby allow passage of fluid from the upper inlet of the second piece to the metering chamber within the first piece.
An advantage of a two-piece arrangement is that the second piece may be easily mounted or otherwise affixed or coupled to a standard valve body as is known in the art. The second piece has the functional affect of raising the effective upper inlet of the valve body to ensure sampling of product is initially taken from a higher point within the storage volume.
Preferably the second piece forms a funnel for channelling said liquefied product towards the transfer openings and an upper opening of the funnel forms the upper inlet of the valve body.
The present invention further provides a funnel for attachment to a valve body of a metering valve, comprising a transfer opening, a funnel part and a connection part, the connection part being adapted for mounting the funnel onto a valve body of a metering valve such that the transfer opening is aligned with an upper inlet of said valve body, the funnel part extending away from the transfer opening and having an open upper end.
Advantageously the funnel may be easily mounted or otherwise affixed or coupled to a standard valve body as is known in the art. The funnel has the functional affect of raising the effective upper inlet of the valve body to ensure sampling of product is initially taken from a higher point within the storage volume.
Preferably the connection part comprises a downwardly extending part that engages the valve body of said metering valve.
In one embodiment the downwardly extending part comprises a downwardly extending skirt. Preferably the downwardly extending skirt comprises one or more apertures, openings or cut-outs for providing fluid communication through the downwardly extending skirt such that in use with the funnel mounted on a valve body fluid flow to a lower inlet of said valve body is enabled. Thus the use of the funnel does not prevent ingress of product into the metering chamber once the level of product within the storage volume has fallen below the level of the upper inlet.
The one or more apertures, openings or cut-outs for providing fluid communication through the downwardly extending skirt may comprise a cut-out in the lowermost, rim of the downwardly extending skirt.
The present invention further provides a method of dispensing a liquefied product containing a suspended component from a metered dispensing apparatus of the type comprising a container defining a storage volume for storing the liquefied product and a metering valve connected thereto which comprises a valve body housing a metering chamber; comprising: providing upper and lower inlets into the valve body for allowing fluid communication between the storage volume and the metering chamber; filling the metering chamber preferentially through the upper valve body inlet whilst the level of liquefied product within the storage volume is above the level of the upper valve body inlet; subsequently filling the metering chamber preferentially or solely through the lower valve body inlet once the level of liquefied product within the storage volume is below the level of the upper valve body inlet.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of dispensing apparatus according to the present invention showing a flexible conduit of the apparatus in alternate positions; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of dispensing apparatus according to the present invention showing a flexible conduit of the apparatus in alternate positions; -10 -Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the dispensing apparatus of Figures 2 and 5; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of dispensing apparatus according to the present invention showing alternate examples of valve body; and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of dispensing apparatus according to the present invention showing alternate examples of funnel member.
As shown in Figure 1, the first embodiment of dispensing apparatus according to the present invention includes a metering valve 10 connected to a container 1 which defines a storage volume 2 therein. The metering valve 10 is connected at a lower end of the container 1 which is formed with an open mouth 3.
The metering valve 10 includes an elongated valve stem 11 which protrudes from and is axially slidable within a metering chamber body 12, the metering chamber body 12 and the valve stem 11 defining therebetween an annular metering chamber 13. The metering chamber body 12 is located within a valve body 14 which is positioned within the container 1 so as to seal the open mouth 3. An annular sealing gasket 4 is provided for providing a fluid-type seal between the valve body 14 and the rim of the open mouth 3 of the container 1. A ferrule 15 is crimped over the metering valve 10 on to the container 1 in order to retain the metering valve 10 tightly on to the container 1. An aperture 28 is provided in the ferrule 15 through which an exterior portion of the valve stem 11 protrudes. A pair of seals 17, 18 of an elastomeric material extend radially between the valve stem 11 and the chamber body 12 as is well known in the art. The valve body 14 is generally cup-shaped -11 -and comprises a radially outwardly-extending flange 41 which is engaged between the annular gasket 4 and the ferrule 15, a lower section 42 which is generally cylindrical in shape and defines an interior volume for receiving the metering chamber body 12 and seals 17, 18 and an upper section 43.
The upper section 43 is also generally cylindrical in form although preferably the upper section 43 is slightly tapered towards its upper end. The upper section 43 is hollow and defines an interior space 44 to accommodate movement of the valve stem 11 in use. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, an upper end of the upper section 43 is provided with a plug section 44 which is sealingly received in an opening 45 of the upper section 43. The plug section 44 is provided with a through opening 46 which has a tapering cross-section which tapers inwardly towards the lower end of the plug section 44.
Preferably the flange 41, lower section 42 and upper section 43 of the valve body 14 are formed as a single moulding from a suitable engineering plastic. As shown, the plug section 44 is formed as a separate component but in an alternative version the opening 46 may be provided in the upper section 43 of the valve body 14.
The dispensing apparatus further comprises a flexible conduit in the form of a flexible tube 50. A first end 51 of the flexible tube is sealingly engaged in the opening 46 of the valve body 14. The second end 52 of the tube 50 is left unattached. The flexible tube 50 is formed from a material such silicone, low density polyethylene, low density polyethylene blended with ethylene vinyl acetate or low density polyethylene blended with butyl which is buoyant in the liquefied product 6 contained in the storage volume 2 such that when the storage volume 2 is relatively full of -12 -liquefied product such that a free surface 80 of the liquid is near an upper end of the container 1 the tube 50 floats with the second end 52 towards the upper end of the container 1 as shown in the right-hand side of Figure 1.
During use, the level of liquefied product 6 in the storage volume 2 will decrease and as this happens the second end 52 of the flexible tube 50 will descend within the container 1 towards the lower end as shown on the left-hand side of Figure 1 (with the reduced level 80 of the liquefied product shown in dotted line) such that at all times the second end 52 of the flexible tube 50 remains in fluid communication with the product 6 within the storage volume 2.
In use, the metering chamber 13 of the metering valve is filled by liquefied product passing through the flexible tube 50 from the second end 52 to the first end 51 and hence in through the opening 46 in the upper end of the valve body 14. The product then passes through the interior space 44 of the upper section 43 of the valve body 14 and in to the metering chamber 13 in a conventional manner.
Advantageously, the use of the flexible tube 50 ensures that during the early life of the dispensing apparatus the liquefied product directed to the metering chamber 13 is taken from the upper regions of the storage volume 2 whereas during the latter portions of the life of the dispensing apparatus the product 6 is taken from the lower regions of the storage volume 2.
In Figure 1 the flexible tube 50 is shown as extending substantially to the upper surface of the liquefied product 6 on the right-hand side of Figure 1. However, depending on the characteristics of the formulation contained in the liquefied product 6, it may be advantageous for the flexible tube 50 to extend only to a mid region of the storage volume -13 - 2 or a mid upper region of the storage volume 2. By adjusting the length or other characteristics of the flexible tube 50, control over the initial concentration of formulation in the doses dispensed by the metering valve can be controlled.
Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of dispensing apparatus according to the present invention again comprising a metering valve connected to a container 1 defining a storage volume 2 for holding a liquefied product 6. As in the above embodiment, a valve body 40 is provided which holds in position the metering chamber body 12 and valve stem 11 as well as the outer and inner seals 17, 18 of the metering valve. Also, as above the valve body 40 comprises a lower section 41 and an upper section 42. In this embodiment, the upper section 42 comprises an inlet aperture 47 at its upper end referred to as the primary inlet aperture 47. A secondary inlet aperture 48 is provided lower down on the upper section 42 near the junction between the upper section 42 and lower section 41 of the valve body 14. The details of the lower, secondary inlet aperture 48 will be discussed further below with reference to Figure 3. In addition to the upper section 42 of the valve body 14, the metering valve 10 comprises a cup-shaped member 60 which is received over the upper section 42 of the valve body 14 as a tight interference fit. The cup-shaped member 60 comprises an elongate cylindrical section having a slight taper which is shaped and sized to form a snug fit with the outer face of the upper section 42 of the valve body 14. The cup-shaped member 60 is provided near an upper end thereof with a circumferential inwardly-directed flange 62 which projects inwardly from the inner wall of the cylindrical section 61 to define a central inlet aperture -14 - 63. The walls of the cylindrical section 61 extend upwardly beyond the position of the inwardly-directed flange 63 to form an upper rim 64 having an open end directed upwards.
As shown in Figure 2 when the cup-shaped member 61 is positioned over the upper section 42 of the valve body 14, the inlet aperture 63 of the cup-shaped member 60 is aligned with the primary inlet aperture 47 of the valve body 14. A bellows device 55 is fitted to the cup-shaped member 60 as shown in Figure 2. The bellows device comprises a tubular elongate member having a concertinaed wall section 56, an open upper end 57 and an open lower end 58. The open lower end 58 is received as a tight interference fit on the upwardly projecting rim 64 of the cup-shaped member 60. If desired a bonding means or other fixing means may be applied between the cup-shaped member 60 and the bellows device 55.
The bellows device 55 is manufactured from silicone, low density polyethylene, low density polyethylene blended with ethylene vinyl acetate or low density polyethylene blended with butyl which is buoyant in the liquefied product 6 contained in the storage volume 2 such that when the storage volume 2 is relatively full of liquefied product the bellows device will be relatively extended as shown in Figure 2 such that the open upper end 57 lies towards an upper end of the storage volume 2. During use, the level 80 of liquefied product 6 and the storage volume 2 will decrease and as this happens the open upper end 57 of the bellows device 55 will descend within the container 1. As can be seen from the alternative position of the bellows device 55 shown in Figure 2, the open upper end 57 at is lowermost point is still positioned above the primary inlet aperture 47 of the valve body 14. To avoid the dispensing apparatus having a large degree of ullage, the secondary inlet aperture 48 is -15 -provided. Figure 3 illustrates in more detail the construction of the secondary inlet aperture 48. As can be seen from that Figure, the wall of the cylindrical cup member 60 at a lower end 66 thereof is provided with a circumferential recess 67 which extends around between the cylindrical section 61 of the cup member 60 and the outer face of the upper section 42 of the valve body 14. In addition, an aperture 68 is provided in the lower end 66 of the cup member 60 at one point around the circumference which allows flow of fluid from outside the cup-shaped member 60 into the circumferential recess 67. The secondary inlet aperture 48 in the upper section 42 of the valve body 14 comprises a hole which passes through the wall section of the upper section 42 so as to allow fluid communication from the circumferential recess 67 to the interior 44 of the valve body 14.
The secondary inlet aperture 48 is designed to have a cross-sectional area significantly less than the cross-sectional area of the primary inlet aperture 47 such that during the initial stages of use of the dispensing apparatus 1 filling of the metering chamber 13 is preferentially through the primary inlet aperture 47. For example, the diameter of the primary inlet aperture 47 is preferably from 1 to 5 mm, more preferably 3 mm, and the diameter of the secondary inlet aperture 48 is preferably from 0.10 to 0.50 mm.
In use, in the early life of the dispensing apparatus when the storage volume 2 is relatively full of liquefied product 6, the metering valve is filled almost exclusively by liquefied product passing through the bellows device 55 from its open upper end 57 down through the lower end 58, the primary inlet aperture 47 of the valve body 14.
-16 -Advantageously, this ensures that during the early life of the dispensing apparatus the liquefied product is taken from the upper or mid-upper regions of the storage volume 2.
Once the quantity of liquefied product 6 within the storage volume descends below the lowermost point that the open upper end 57 of the bellows 55 can reach or can descend, filling of the metering valve is still possible via the circumferential recess 67 and secondary inlet aperture 48.
As in the first embodiment, by adjusting the length of the bellows device 55, control over the initial concentration of formulation in the doses dispensed during the early life of the metering valve can be controlled by accurately determining the point of the storage volume 2 from which the formulation is drawn.
A third embodiment of dispensing apparatus according to the present invention is shown in Figure 4 which as in the above embodiments includes a metering valve 10 connected to a dispensing container 1 defining storage volume 2 for containing a liquefied product 6. In this embodiment, the valve body 14 comprises a lower section 41 as in the first embodiment and an upper section 42. However in this embodiment the upper section 42 is further elongated such that the primary inlet aperture 47 positioned between 40 and 80% of the way towards the upper free surface of the liquid product when the storage volume if first filled, i.e. the full' state (even though there will even immediately after filling be head space within the storage volume that is not filled with liquid but will contain gas) -in other words at a point between 40 and 80% of the height of the initial liquid volume. (The height' of the initial liquid volume is defined as the distance between the lowermost point that fluid is held and the free liquid surface 80 of the product -17 - -in the embodiment of Figure 4 this equates to the distance between the uppermost face of the sealing gasket 4 and the initial liquid surface 80 shown in solid line and is shown in Figure 4 with reference h').
As shown in Figure 4, two possible example positions for the primary inlet aperture 47 are shown. In solid lines is shown a version of the apparatus in which the upper inlet aperture 47 is positioned approximately 68% of the height of the storage volume. In broken lines is shown an alternative arrangement in which the upper section 42 of the valve body 14 is further elongated such that the primary inlet aperture 47 is positioned approximately 80% of the height of the storage volume.
As in the second embodiment, the valve body 14 is provided with a secondary inlet aperture 48 towards the lower end of the upper section 42 near the junction between the upper section 42 and lower section 41. In this embodiment, the secondary inlet aperture 48 is not partially covered by any cup member but is open to product 6 located in the storage container 2. However, as in the above embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the primary inlet aperture 47 is relatively large compared to the cross-sectional area of the secondary inlet aperture 48 such that during the early stages of the life of the dispensing apparatus the metering chamber 13 is preferentially filled through the primary inlet aperture 47.
In use, in the early life of the dispensing apparatus when the storage volume 2 is relatively full of liquefied product 6, the metering valve is filled almost exclusively by liquefied product passing through the primary inlet aperture 47 of the valve body 14. Advantageously, this ensures that during the early life of the dispensing -18 -apparatus the liquefied product is taken from the upper or mid-upper regions of the storage volume 2. Once the quantity of liquefied product 6 within the storage volume descends below the primary inlet aperture 47, filling of the metering valve is still possible via the secondary inlet aperture 48. As in the first embodiment, by adjusting the length of the upper section 42, control over the initial concentration of formulation in the doses dispensed during the early life of the metering valve can be controlled by accurately determining the point of the storage volume 2 from which the formulation is drawn.
Figure 5 illustrates a fourth embodiment of dispensing apparatus according to the present invention. The fourth embodiment is similar to the second embodiment shown in Figure 2 in that the upper section 42 of the valve body 14 is provided with a cup-shaped funnel member 60 which is received as an interference fit. In this case the cup-shaped member 60 comprises a rigid cylindrical member having a lower section 71 which is received as an interference fit over the upper section 42 of the valve body 14 and an upper section 72 which is open at an upper end 73 to allow admittance of liquefied product 6 into the interior of the cup-shaped member 60. An internally-directed circumferential flange 74 is provided at the junction between the lower section 71 and upper section 72 of the cup-shaped member 60 which defines an aperture 75 which on assembly is aligned with the primary inlet aperture 47 of the valve body 14. As in the third embodiment, the position of the open upper end 73 of the cup-shaped member 60 can be adjusted by changing the length of the upper section 72.
The open upper end 73 is positioned between 40 and 80% of the height h of the initial liquid volume as in the -19 -embodiment of Figure 4. Two example positions are shown in Figure 5. Firstly, in solid lines is shown the open upper end 73 positioned at a point approximately 80% of the height of the initial liquid volume h. Secondly, as shown in broken lines the upper open end 73 is positioned at a point approximately 66% of the height of the initial liquid volume h. As in the second embodiment, a secondary inlet aperture 48 is provided in the valve body 14. A lower end of the cup-shaped member 60 is designed in the same manner as that of the second embodiment and as shown in Figure 3 such that a circumferential recess 67 is provided providing fluid communication between the secondary inlet aperture 48 and the storage volume 2 of the dispensing container 1.
In use, in the early life of the dispensing apparatus when the storage volume 2 is relatively full of liquefied product 6, the metering valve is filled almost exclusively by liquefied product passing through the open upper end 73 of the cup shaped member 70 and thence through the primary inlet aperture 47 of the valve body 14. Advantageously, this ensures that during the early life of the dispensing apparatus the liquefied product is taken from the upper or mid-upper regions of the storage volume 2. Once the quantity of liquefied product 6 within the storage volume descends below the open upper end 73 of the cup shaped member 70, filling of the metering valve is still possible via the circumferential recess 67 and secondary inlet aperture 48. As in the first embodiment, by adjusting the length of the cup shaped member 70, control over the initial concentration of formulation in the doses dispensed during the early life of the metering valve can be controlled by -20 -accurately determining the point of the storage volume 2 from which the formulation is drawn.

Claims (18)

  1. -21 -Claims: 1. Dispensing apparatus comprising a container and a metering valve, the container having an open end and defining a storage volume for storing a liquefied product, the metering valve being connected to the container to seal the open end and being operable to dispense metered doses of said liquefied product; the metering valve comprising a valve body and a valve stem, the metering valve further comprising a metering chamber within the valve body; the valve body having a lower end proximate to the open end of the container and an upper end extending into the storage volume of the container away from the open end of the container, the upper end of the valve body comprising an upper inlet through which liquefied product is able to pass from the storage volume into the valve body so as to pass into the metering chamber; characterised in that the dispensing apparatus further comprises a flexible conduit connected to, or formed as part of, the upper end of the valve body, the flexible conduit defining an inlet flow path from the storage volume of the container to the upper inlet of the valve body, wherein a distal end of the flexible conduit floats within said liquefied product in use and wherein the position of the distal end of the flexible conduit descends towards the lower end of the valve body as the quantity of said liquefied product in the storage volume decreases.
  2. 2. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flexible conduit comprises an elongate cylindrical tube.
    -22 -
  3. 3. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the elongate flexible tube is formed from one or more materials selected from the group of silicone, low density polyethylene, low density polyethylene blended with ethylene vinyl acetate and low density polyethylene blended with butyl.
  4. 4. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flexible conduit comprises a concertinaed tube whose axial length shortens as the quantity of said liquefied product in the storage volume decreases.
  5. 5. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the concertinaed tube is formed from one or more materials selected from the group of silicone, low density polyethylene, low density polyethylene blended with ethylene vinyl acetate and low density polyethylene blended with butyl.
  6. 6. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the valve body further comprises a lower valve body inlet through which liquefied product is able to pass from the storage volume into the valve body so as to pass into the metering chamber.
  7. 7. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the cross-sectional area of the lower inlet is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the upper inlet.
  8. 8. Dispensing apparatus comprising a container and a metering valve, the container having a closed end and an open end and defining a storage volume containing a -23 -liquefied product, the metering valve being connected to the container to seal the open end and being operable to dispense metered doses of said liquefied product; the dispensing apparatus initially being filled with a first quantity of liquefied product to define a full state, wherein in said full state and with the metering valve lowermost a full liquid level is defined as the free liquid surface of the first quantity of the liquefied propellant within the storage volume; the metering valve comprising a valve body and a valve stem, the metering valve further comprising a metering chamber within the valve body; the valve body having a lower end proximate to the open end of the container and an upper end extending into the storage volume of the container away from the open end of the container, the upper end of the valve body comprising an upper inlet through which liquefied product is able to pass from the storage volume into the valve body so as to pass into the metering chamber; wherein the valve body further comprises a lower inlet, nearer to the lower end of the valve body than the upper inlet, through which liquefied product is also able to pass from the storage volume into the valve body so as to pass into the metering chamber; characterised in that the upper inlet is located at a level between 40% and 80% of the full liquid level.
  9. 9. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the cross-sectional area of the lower inlet is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the upper inlet.
    -24 -
  10. 10. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the valve body is formed as a single piece.
  11. 11. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the valve body comprises a first piece sealingly connected to the open end of the container and housing therein the metering chamber and a second piece connectable to the first piece; wherein the second piece comprises the upper inlet of the valve body and the first and second pieces are in fluid communication via transfer openings to thereby allow passage of fluid from the upper inlet of the second piece to the metering chamber within the first piece.
  12. 12. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the second piece forms a funnel for channelling said liquefied product towards the transfer openings and an upper opening of the funnel forms the upper inlet of the valve body.
  13. 13. A funnel for attachment to a valve body of a metering valve, comprising a transfer opening, a funnel part and a connection part, the connection part being adapted for mounting the funnel onto a valve body of a metering valve such that the transfer opening is aligned with an upper inlet of said valve body, the funnel part extending away from the transfer opening and having an open upper end.
  14. 14. A funnel as claimed in claim 13 wherein the connection part comprises a downwardly extending part that engages the valve body of said metering valve.
    -25 -
  15. 15. A funnel as claimed in claim 14 wherein the downwardly extending part comprises a downwardly extending skirt.
  16. 16. A funnel as claimed in claim 14 wherein the downwardly extending skirt comprises one or more apertures, openings or cut-outs for providing fluid cornrriunication through the downwardly extending skirt such that in use with the funnel mounted on a valve body fluid flow to a lower inlet of said valve body is enabled.
  17. 17. A funnel as claimed in claim 16 wherein the one or more apertures, openings or cut-outs for providing fluid communication through the downwardly extending skirt comprises a cut-out in the lowermost rim of the downwardly extending skirt.
  18. 18. A method of dispensing a liquefied product containing a suspended component from a metered dispensing apparatus of the type comprising a container defining a storage volume for storing the liquefied product and a metering valve connected thereto which comprises a valve body housing a metering chamber; comprising: providing upper and lower inlets into the valve body for allowing fluid communication between the storage volume and the metering chamber; filling the metering chamber preferentially through the upper valve body inlet whilst the level of liquefied product within the storage volume is above the level of the upper valve body inlet; subsequently filling the metering chamber preferentially or solely through the lower valve body inlet -26 -once the level of liquefied product within the storage volume is below the level of the upper valve body inlet.
GB0902028A 2009-02-06 2009-02-06 Improvements in or relating to dispensing apparatus Expired - Fee Related GB2467579B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0902028A GB2467579B (en) 2009-02-06 2009-02-06 Improvements in or relating to dispensing apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0902028A GB2467579B (en) 2009-02-06 2009-02-06 Improvements in or relating to dispensing apparatus

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0902028D0 GB0902028D0 (en) 2009-03-11
GB2467579A true GB2467579A (en) 2010-08-11
GB2467579B GB2467579B (en) 2013-07-31

Family

ID=40469740

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0902028A Expired - Fee Related GB2467579B (en) 2009-02-06 2009-02-06 Improvements in or relating to dispensing apparatus

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2467579B (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013052445A1 (en) * 2011-10-03 2013-04-11 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Portable pressurized power source for fastener driving tool
WO2013055544A3 (en) * 2011-10-03 2013-12-12 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Fastener driving tool with portable pressurized power source
US9770818B2 (en) 2011-10-03 2017-09-26 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Fastener driving tool with portable pressurized power source

Citations (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB997829A (en) * 1962-01-25 1965-07-07 Abplanalp Robert H A dispensing package for dispensing a mixture of liquids from a pressurised container
US3631880A (en) * 1970-04-02 1972-01-04 Sun Oil Co Pennsylvania Suction arrangement for pumps
JPS6099358A (en) * 1983-11-02 1985-06-03 Osaka Eyazoole Kogyo Kk Aerosol product
GB2206099A (en) * 1987-05-13 1988-12-29 Valois A metering valve for a liquid charged with a propellent liquid of liquified gas and usable in the upsidedown position
US4940152A (en) * 1989-06-27 1990-07-10 Lin Tzong Shyan Nursing bottle
WO1992022495A1 (en) * 1991-06-19 1992-12-23 Williams Dispenser Corporation Spray dispenser
US5429280A (en) * 1992-02-24 1995-07-04 L'oreal Fluid dispensing container for dispensing a predetermined quantity of a liquid
US5450983A (en) * 1993-03-12 1995-09-19 Djs&T, Limited Partnership Aerosol spray texture apparatus and method for a particulate containing material
JPH10305881A (en) * 1997-05-02 1998-11-17 Kao Corp Solution discharge mechanism
JP2000157896A (en) * 1998-11-30 2000-06-13 Yoshino Kogyosho Co Ltd Liquid jetting device
GB2357493A (en) * 1999-12-22 2001-06-27 Bespak Plc Means for shielding valve inlets
US20030136802A1 (en) * 1996-12-27 2003-07-24 Patrick Di Giovanni Valve for aerosol container
WO2008020268A2 (en) * 2005-04-19 2008-02-21 Foamix Ltd. Apparatus and method for releasing a measured amount of content from a container
FR2910251A1 (en) * 2006-12-22 2008-06-27 Rexam Dispensing Systems Sas Pick-up tube for fluid e.g. perfume solution, distribution system, has lower end immersed in fluid, where tube is made of metallic material such as 316L type stainless steel, and periphery of tube presents flat facet which extends axially
EP2028132A1 (en) * 2007-08-21 2009-02-25 Consort Medical plc (Formerly Bespak plc) Improvements in or relating to dispensing apparatus

Patent Citations (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB997829A (en) * 1962-01-25 1965-07-07 Abplanalp Robert H A dispensing package for dispensing a mixture of liquids from a pressurised container
US3631880A (en) * 1970-04-02 1972-01-04 Sun Oil Co Pennsylvania Suction arrangement for pumps
JPS6099358A (en) * 1983-11-02 1985-06-03 Osaka Eyazoole Kogyo Kk Aerosol product
GB2206099A (en) * 1987-05-13 1988-12-29 Valois A metering valve for a liquid charged with a propellent liquid of liquified gas and usable in the upsidedown position
US4940152A (en) * 1989-06-27 1990-07-10 Lin Tzong Shyan Nursing bottle
WO1992022495A1 (en) * 1991-06-19 1992-12-23 Williams Dispenser Corporation Spray dispenser
US5429280A (en) * 1992-02-24 1995-07-04 L'oreal Fluid dispensing container for dispensing a predetermined quantity of a liquid
US5450983A (en) * 1993-03-12 1995-09-19 Djs&T, Limited Partnership Aerosol spray texture apparatus and method for a particulate containing material
US20030136802A1 (en) * 1996-12-27 2003-07-24 Patrick Di Giovanni Valve for aerosol container
JPH10305881A (en) * 1997-05-02 1998-11-17 Kao Corp Solution discharge mechanism
JP2000157896A (en) * 1998-11-30 2000-06-13 Yoshino Kogyosho Co Ltd Liquid jetting device
GB2357493A (en) * 1999-12-22 2001-06-27 Bespak Plc Means for shielding valve inlets
WO2008020268A2 (en) * 2005-04-19 2008-02-21 Foamix Ltd. Apparatus and method for releasing a measured amount of content from a container
FR2910251A1 (en) * 2006-12-22 2008-06-27 Rexam Dispensing Systems Sas Pick-up tube for fluid e.g. perfume solution, distribution system, has lower end immersed in fluid, where tube is made of metallic material such as 316L type stainless steel, and periphery of tube presents flat facet which extends axially
EP2028132A1 (en) * 2007-08-21 2009-02-25 Consort Medical plc (Formerly Bespak plc) Improvements in or relating to dispensing apparatus

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013052445A1 (en) * 2011-10-03 2013-04-11 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Portable pressurized power source for fastener driving tool
WO2013055544A3 (en) * 2011-10-03 2013-12-12 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Fastener driving tool with portable pressurized power source
AU2012318844B2 (en) * 2011-10-03 2016-06-16 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Portable pressurized power source for fastener driving tool
US9463560B2 (en) 2011-10-03 2016-10-11 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Portable pressurized power source for fastener driving tool
US9770818B2 (en) 2011-10-03 2017-09-26 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Fastener driving tool with portable pressurized power source
US10293470B2 (en) 2011-10-03 2019-05-21 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Portable pressurized power source for fastener driving tool

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0902028D0 (en) 2009-03-11
GB2467579B (en) 2013-07-31

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7793807B2 (en) Metering valve and a fluid dispenser device including such a valve
US4702400A (en) Aerosol dispensing metering valve
CN110250727B (en) Soft tube type cosmetic container for discharging liquid content in drop form
EP2491814A1 (en) Liquid dropper allowing quantitative withdrawal, and a cosmetic container equipped with the same
US4413755A (en) Metered aerosol valve for use in inverted position
US20080308581A1 (en) Pressure control device for maintaining a constant predetermined pressure in a container
CN111406024B (en) Liquid content discharge container
WO2001079079A1 (en) Valve assembly for metered dose dispensers
GB2467579A (en) Container with metering valve for dispensing fluid containing a suspended solid
US2937791A (en) Pressure discharge can
CA1291599C (en) Automatic toilet bowl cleaner dispenser
US10513387B2 (en) Pouch reservoirs for casing used to dispense pressurized products and casings comprising same
US20050189382A1 (en) Dip tubes
US7114640B2 (en) Apparatus and method for dispensing product
US20040206782A1 (en) User-refillable liquid dispensing container with vacuum actuated piston
JP5116521B2 (en) Container for liquid
WO2004019675A1 (en) Plant watering apparatus
CA3158599A1 (en) An aerosol dispensing valve system and a container comprising an aerosol dispensing valve system
JP6482300B2 (en) Application container
RU2767565C1 (en) Liquid dosing unit
US20210231480A1 (en) Container
JP7393906B2 (en) liquid measuring tool
US11556094B2 (en) Fluid timer
WO2017041119A2 (en) Applicator for plant growth regulation
CN108778957B (en) Metering valve and fluid product dispensing device comprising such a valve

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20180206