WO2015158609A1

WO2015158609A1 - Pressurized materials distribution system distribution valve and assembly process for said valve

Info

Publication number: WO2015158609A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/057765
Authority: WO
Inventors: Franck Flecheux
Original assignee: Franck Flecheux
Priority date: 2014-04-16
Filing date: 2015-04-09
Publication date: 2015-10-22
Also published as: FR3020114B1; FR3020114A1; AR100056A1; BE1022710B1; BE1022710A1

Abstract

An axial distribution valve (4) for a pressurized materials distribution system (1) comprising a distribution component (41) and a cup (40) suitable for attachment on the hollow body (20) of a distribution system (1), said cup (40) comprising an exterior face (4A) on which said distribution component (41) is attached and an interior face (4B) opposite said exterior face (4A), said cup (40) being flexible so as to be assembled prestressed in the distribution system's (1) hollow body (20) and said cup (40) comprising an interior radial portion (Rl) in which said distribution component (41) is attached and an exterior radial portion (RE) whose interior face (4B) is convex.

Description

PRESSURIZED MATERIALS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM DISTRIBUTION VALVE AND ASSEMBLY

PROCESS FOR SAID VALVE

GENERAL TECHNICAL FIELD AND PRIOR ART

The present invention concerns the field of pressurized materials distribution, in particular, an aerosol can for distributing deodorants, paint, insecticides, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food, and technical materials, etc. The materials to be distributed may be fluid, viscous, in the form of a spray or a gel.

In a known manner, an aerosol comprises a storage container comprised of a hollow cylindrical body whose lower extremity is closed and whose upper extremity includes a distribution valve. In order to manufacture an aerosol, the container's cylindrical body is first filled with the materials to be distributed through its upper extremity. Then, the upper extremity of the container's cylindrical body is closed by assembling the distribution valve. A propellant gas is then introduced into the cylindrical body providing for distributing the materials under pressure.

Ordinarily, in order to provide for closing the storage container, the valve is sealed to the container, also known to persons skilled in the art as "clinching." Said closing process is known to prior art, in particular in patent application EP0507704 and the FEA 222 standard definition document.

As an example, referencing Figure 1 , distribution system 100 closed by "clinching" comprises a storage container 101 with annular upper edge 102, on which distribution valve 103's annular cup 104 is crimped so as to form a rim or a gasket cavity. Container 101 's annular upper edge 102 is known by persons skilled in the art and is referred to as "rolled" given that it is obtained by rolling the wall of storage container 101 ' cylindrical body. This type of closing process is robust and has been used for decades in order to close aerosol cans. Nevertheless, such a process presents numerous disadvantages. First of all, storage container 1 00's rolled edge 1 02 is complex to obtain repeatedly given that it must comply with numerous very precise dimensions. Given that rolled edge 1 02's manufacturing is generally highly industrialized, the manufacturing and checking stages for such a rolled edge 1 02 are numerous, thereby increasing manufacturing costs. Additionally, in order to be sufficiently resistant, a rolled edge 1 02 must include reinforced wall thickness, presenting a higher cost. Moreover, in order to provide for forming rolled edge 1 02, storage container 1 00's interior wall must be varnished, which increases the cost of such storage container 1 00. I ndeed, the varnishing operation induces, on the one hand, application-related costs (varnishing machines, varnish curing ovens, etc.) and, on the other hand, inspection-related costs (varnish porosity measuring machine, etc.) .

In practice, the restitution quality for the materials to be distributed depends on the allowable pressure in the storage container. In a known manner, the allowable pressure in a storage container 1 00 closed by "clinching" is at most on the order of 1 5 bar at 50°C (see the Aerosol directive 75/324/EEC), which may present a disadvantage.

In order to avoid using such a rolled edge and provide for increasing the fluid pressure in a storage container, patent application WO201 1 /093786 Al has proposed forming a container with a wall closing on the distribution valve. Nevertheless, such a container has a longer wall compared to prior art in order to cover the distribution valve, which complicates assembly and increases manufacturing costs. The invention proposes providing a materials distribution system offering optimal closing quality that is simple to manufacture and implement. Moreover, the invention proposes providing a distribution system with improved pressure resistance while reducing manufacturing costs. INVENTION OVERVIEW

To this end, the invention concerns an axial distribution valve for a pressurized materials distribution system comprising a distribution component and a cup suitable for being attached to a hollow body of a distribution system, said cup comprising an external face on which said distribution component is attached and an interior face opposed to said external face.

The invention is noteworthy, on the one hand, in that the cup is flexible so as to be assembled prestressed on a distribution system's hollow body and, on the other hand, in that the cup comprises an interior radial portion in which said distribution component is attached and an exterior radial portion whose interior face is convex.

Convex interior face shall be understood to include a face which may be conical, parabolic, spherical, etc. Hereinafter, the terms interior radial and exterior radial shall be defined with regard to the valve axis.

First, said distribution valve possesses a simple design and does not comprise a wall having undergone numerous distorting steps in order to obtain, for example, a rim or a gasket cavity. Contrary to prior art which favored a rigid cup, the distribution valve cup according to the invention is flexible and convex. The synergy of these two characteristics provides for introducing the cup in the assembly opening by mechanically prestressing. Moreover, when the mechanical prestress is released, the cup provides for, due to its flexibility, relaxing and blocking in the assembly opening. This blockage is secured by the fact that the interior face of said cup is convex. After closing, the pressurized materials apply mechanical stress on the cup's exterior radial portion tending to straighten the cup, i.e. decrease its camber, due to it being convex. In other words, the pressurized materials' mechanical stress provides for securing the distribution valve's binding and position in the storage container by converting an axial force into a radial blocking force.

In other words, it is not necessary to use additional attachment means or crimping in order to block the distribution valve, which is advantageous. The distribution valve is advantageously non-removable from the storage container.

Lastly, due to its simple design, the distribution valve requires less of the materials compared to prior art, which is advantageous. Such a distribution valve provides for 1 g to 3 g less mass compared to a classic distribution valve with a rim. Preferably, the cup comprises an inferior radial portion in which said distribution component is attached and an exterior radial portion whose interior side is convex.

Preferentially, said exterior face of said cup's exterior radial portion is uniformly convex such that the pressurized materials apply a uniform mechanical stress on the cup so as to decrease its camber. Moreover, such cup is simple to produce.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, said cup comprises a bent peripheral edge so as to improve blocking the cup in the storage container. In this manner, the cup's interior face may comprise portions with different convexity.

Preferably, said exterior radial portion of the cup has a uniform thickness, facilitating cup production and curve formation. According to a preferred aspect, the cup comprises an annular peripheral edge. In addition to its simple design limiting production costs, an annular peripheral edge provides for the annular section's uniform blocking in a cylindrical neck while overcoming any inclination or angular orientation faults. In this manner, the distribution valve is positioned precisely in relation to the storage container, improving its aesthetic appearance.

The invention also concerns a pressurized materials distribution system comprising:

a storage container comprising a hollow body filled with pressurized materials, an assembly opening, and a cylindrical neck connecting said hollow body to said assembly opening, and

a distribution valve, as presented previously, whose cup is mounted prestressed in said cylindrical neck and where the interior face of said cup is turned towards said hollow body. The distribution valve cup's cooperation with the storage unit's cylindrical neck provides for ensuring uniform blocking taking advantage of the cup's flexibility and its interior face's convexity in contact with the pressurized materials. The distribution valve assembly is therefore simple and quickly implemented in order to contain the pressurized materials. The storage container is simply designed, not rolled, providing for a 5% to 10% mass savings, which is advantageous. Advantageously, Valve/Container dimensional accuracy is improved. Indeed, in prior art, the clinching process caused distortion in the valve cup creating variations in the distribution component, which led to accidental distribution system emptying or leaks. Advantageously, the convex valve assembly in a container eliminates this problem given that according to the invention the cup is mounted on the distribution component in its final use position. No subsequent mechanical operation affects the distribution component's vertical position as could be the case with "clinching" assembly.

Moreover, such a distribution system is easy to check given that each parameter may be measured directly, which was not the case in prior art with a rolled edge or a distribution valve equipped with a rim which are difficult to measure after assembly. In particular, it is no longer necessary to measure the rolled edge's and the clinching's "contact height" which are known to persons skilled in the art. With the invention, checking may be automated and systematic for each materials distribution system. Such checking improves quality compared to the static checking performed in prior art.

With the invention, the manufacturing process is shortened and requires fewer forming steps in order to create the distribution system. Rolled edge creation, machining, and rolling operations may be advantageously avoided. Moreover, this provides for eliminating the risk of contamination related to these machining operations which may generate shavings and particles deposited on the container's interior and exterior wall. Additionally, the storage container may be formed with the lubrication significantly reduced or eliminated, which presents advantages from an environmental standpoint and improves the distribution system's aesthetic appearance. The invention provides for industrially manufacturing the storage container without interior varnish, which breaks with traditional processes which require varnish application in order to allow the rolled edge forming operation. Lastly, closing quality provides for storing pressurized materials at high pressure, preferentially, up to 30 or 40 bar. Preferentially, as the cup comprises a peripheral edge and the cylindrical neck comprises an interior surface, said peripheral edge of the cup is pressed against said interior surface of said cylindrical neck. In this manner, the cup is forced against the cylindrical neck and exerts force on the cylindrical neck's interior surface. The greater the pressurized materials' pressure, the greater the force applied to the peripheral edge, which ensures optimal blocking even with materials under high pressure. This ensures the distribution system's sealing. According to one aspect, the non-prestressed cup's transverse dimension is greater than the cylindrical neck's cross-section. In this manner, due to its flexibility, the cup is naturally prestressed in the cylindrical neck.

According to a particular aspect, the cylindrical neck's cross-section is annular so as to cooperate with the annular cup. The distribution valve's angular orientation is therefore indifferent during assembly, which is advantageous.

Preferably, as the cylindrical neck comprises a peripheral collar and the cup a peripheral edge, said peripheral edge is pressed against said cylindrical neck's peripheral collar. Such peripheral collar is advantageous because it provides for guarantying a precise reference surface for positioning the distribution valve in the cylindrical neck. The distribution systems so formed are advantageously identical. Preferably, the peripheral collar's dimensions are configured to prevent the cup's passage even when the latter is prestressed elastically.

Preferably again, as the cylindrical neck comprises a peripheral groove and the cup comprises a peripheral edge, said peripheral edge is lodged in said cylindrical neck's peripheral groove. Such peripheral groove is advantageous because it provides for limiting the distribution valve's insertion travel in the cylindrical neck towards the hollow body or the assembly opening. Moreover, removing the cup is rendered impossible, improving pressure resistance. In this manner, the cup is perfectly blocked in the cylindrical neck. Preferentially, the distribution system comprises a peripheral gasket seal between said cup and said cylindrical neck. In this manner, the gasket seal is stressed during distribution valve assembly and therefor has optimal sealing characteristics. Preferably, the cylindrical neck comprises an upper edge bent towards the interior so as to form a means of safety locking preventing distribution valve disassembly.

The invention also refers to an assembly process for a distribution system as presented above, comprising a forced insertion stage for the cup so as to maintain said cup in a prestressed state in said storage container's cylindrical neck, with the interior face of said cup turned towards the storage container's hollow body. In this manner, distribution valve blocking and distribution container sealing are ensured.

Advantageously, cup assembly provides for forming a distribution system whose pressure resistance is improved compared to conventional assembly. Indeed, currently, pressure resistance greater than 15 bar is difficult to master. With the assembly proposed by the invention, the test pressure is significantly increased given that the pressurized materials contribute to reinforcing the cup's locking in the storage container.

The invention also refers to an assembly process for a distribution system as presented above, comprising an insertion stage in said storage container's cylindrical neck, the convex interior face of said cup being turned towards the storage container's hollow body and a cross-section reduction stage for said cylindrical neck in order to lock the cup. In this manner, distribution valve blocking and distribution container sealing are ensured.

Preferentially, said cylindrical neck's cross dimension before insertion is greater than the cup's cross-section so as to provide for easy insertion prior to the reduction stage.

The invention also refers to a filling process for a distribution system as presented above, as the process comprises a stage filling the storage container hollow body with a pressurized materials and a stage closing the distribution system by inserting the cup in said storage container's cylindrical neck, the interior face of said cup being turned towards the storage container's hollow body.

Such a filling process is simple to implement and closing quality may be checked practically, reliably, and quickly.

FIGURE PRESENTATION

The invention will be better understood by reading the following description, provided only as an example, and by consulting the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a materials distribution system closed using a prior art clinching process;

Figure 2 is a representation of a materials distribution system assembly stage according to the invention;

- Figure 3 is a representation of a forced insertion stage for a distribution valve in a fluid distribution system storage container from Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a close-up representation of a part of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a representation of a materials distribution system assembled according to the invention;

- Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of another embodiment of a materials distribution system storage container according to the invention whose cross- section is constant;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of another embodiment of a materials distribution system storage container according to the invention with a peripheral groove;

Figure 8 is a cross-section diagrammatic view of another embodiment of a materials distribution system distribution valve according to the invention with a bent peripheral edge;

Figure 9 is the top-down diagrammatic view of the distribution valve in Figure 8; - Figure 10 is a cross-section diagrammatic view of another embodiment of a materials distribution system distribution valve according to the invention with radial stiffeners;

Figure 1 1 is the top-down diagrammatic view of the distribution valve in Figure 10; Figure 1 2 is a cross-section diagrammatic view of another embodiment of a materials distribution system according †o the invention where the storage container upper edge is benf;

Figure 1 3 is a cross-section diagrammatic view of another embodiment of a materials distribution system according †o the invention where the storage container upper edge is benf; and

Figure 1 4 is a cross-secfion diagrammatic view of another embodiment of a materials distribution system according †o the invention where the storage container upper edge is benf with a sealing gasket.

If should be noted that the figures provide a detailed exposition of fhe invention in order to implement the invention, such figures being capable of better defining fhe invention, where appropriate. DESCRIPTION OF ONE OR MORE EMBODIMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION METHODS

The invention will be presented below for an aerosol can for distributing deodorants, etc. Nevertheless, if is self-evident that the invention applies to any pressurized materials distribution system, in particular paint, insecticides, antiperspiranfs, hair spray, shaving gel, misters, whipped cream, etc. The materials to be distributed may be fluid, viscous, in fhe form of a spray or a gel. For that matter, the invention applies to any type of aerosol can, with or without piston, with or without a storage bag for fhe materials to be distributed. First Embodiment: Cylindrical Neck with Peripheral Collar

Referencing Figures 2 to 5, a first embodiment of a pressurized materials distribution system 1 according †o the invention is represented. Distribution system 1 comprises storage unit 2 which is closed by distribution valve 4.

Referencing Figure 2, distribution valve 4 extends axially along axis X and comprises a closing wall, hereinafter referred †o as cup 40, comprising peripheral edge 42 and defining exterior face 4A upon which distribution component 41 is attached, known to persons skilled in fhe art under its English name "stem," and interior face 4B opposite such exterior face 4A. Such cup 40 comprises an interior radial portion Rl in relation to axis X in which distribution component 41 is mounted and an exterior radial portion RE in relation to axis X. Cup 40 comprises, in its interior radial portion Rl transverse orifice 43, preferably a central orifice, to which distribution component 41 is connected. Distribution component 41 is preferentially presented in the form of a mechanical actuator like a nozzle that is connected to a plunger (not represented) extending from interior face 4B.

Referencing Figures 2 and 3, cup 40 is flexible so as to be mounted prestressed in storage container 2's hollow body 20. Cup 40 is, preferentially, created of metal, thermoset plastic, or thermoplastic and has a uniform thickness, preferentially on the order of 0.25 to 0.6 mm but it is self-evident that other materials or other thicknesses could also be used. According to the invention, interior face 4B of exterior radial portion RE of such cup 40 is convex. In this embodiment, interior face 4B of exterior radial portion RE of such cup 40 is uniformly convex. In a free state, cup 40 comprises camber Δ corresponding to the distance between its low point and high point. Hereinafter, the angle formed between exterior radial portion RE of such cup 40 and the horizontal plane as illustrated in Figure 4 shall be referred to as a. In a free state, cup 40's camber Δ is at most on the order of 4 mm whereas angle a is at most equal to 30°.

In this embodiment, cup 40 comprises peripheral edge 42 which is annular and has diameter D4 in the non-prestressed state, i.e. before assembly in storage container 2. As an example, non-prestressed diameter D4 is on the order of 1 1 to 35 mm. As presented hereinafter, non-prestressed diameter D4 must be slightly greater than storage container 2's diameter D3.

Having presented distribution valve 4, Figure 2's storage container 2 will now be described in detail.

Referencing Figure 2, storage container 2 comprises hollow body 20, assembly opening 21 , and cylindrical neck 3 connecting such hollow body 20 to such assembly opening 21 . In this example, hollow body 20 is cylinder-shaped and cylindrical neck 3 is formed at its upper extremity.

Referencing Figure 2, cylindrical neck 3 has an annular cross-section and defines interior face 3A and exterior face 3B opposite interior face 3A. In this embodiment, cylindrical neck 3 extends vertically from storage container 2's hollow body 20, with the upper extremity of cylindrical neck 3 forming storage container 2's assembly opening 21 as illustrated in Figure 2. Preferentially, storage container 2 is produced in aluminum or tin plate but it is self evident that other metal or plastic materials could be used, for example, copper, zinc, or plastic materials such as PE, PP, PET, and PEN, pure or mixed. Storage container 2 may include a varnished interior surface depending on application. Storage container 2's assembly opening 21 is annular and has opening diameter D3 as illustrated in Figure 2. As an example, opening diameter D3 is on the order of 10 to 35 mm. Preferentially, opening diameter D3 is less than the cup's non-prestressed diameter D4 from 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm. Referencing Figure 2, cylindrical neck 3 comprises upper portion 31 , located on the assembly opening 21 side and a lower portion 32 located on the hollow body 20 side whose opening diameter D2 is less than upper portion 31 's opening diameter D3, i.e. assembly opening 21 's opening diameter formed at the upper extremity of cylindrical neck 3. As an example, opening diameter D2 is smaller than opening diameter D3 by 1 mm to 2 mm.

In other words, cylindrical neck 3 comprises peripheral collar 33 capable of supporting distribution valve 4's assembly as illustrated in Figure 4. Preferentially, storage container 2 is formed by a stamping and forming process.

Referencing Figure 2, cup 40's prestressed diameter D4 is greater than assembly opening 21 's opening diameter D3 on storage container 2. In this manner, when cup 40 is assembled in storage container 2's cylindrical neck 3, cup 40 must be prestressed as will be presented in the following embodiment example.

Peripheral edge 42 is preferentially beveled so as to be in planar contact with cylindrical neck 3's interior surface 3A in the assembly position in order to improve locking as illustrated in Figure 4.

Sample Embodiment As storage container 2 and distribution valve 4 have been presented, distribution valve 4's assembly in storage container 2 will now be described.

Ordinarily, storage container 2 and distribution valve 4 are produced independently before assembly. Prior to assembly, the materials to be distributed, preferably liquid, are introduced in storage container 2's hollow body 20 through assembly opening 21 . In other words, storage container 2 is filled.

In order to close storage container 2 with distribution valve 4, cup 40's convex face 4B of such distribution valve 4 is positioned on assembly opening 21 forming the upper extremity of cylindrical neck 3 and turned towards storage container 2's hollow body 20 as illustrated in Figure 2.

Peripheral edge 42's non-prestressed diameter D4 on cup 40 being greater than assembly opening 21 's opening diameter D3 on storage container 2, the assembly process comprises a forced insertion stage for cup 40 in such cylindrical neck 3 in order to assemble distribution valve 4 prestressed in storage container 2's cylindrical neck 3.

During the insertion stage and due to cup 40's flexibility, cup 40's camber increases in order to be able to penetrate in cylindrical neck 3 as illustrated in Figure 3.

Referencing Figure 4, when cup 40's peripheral edge 42 comes into contact with cylindrical neck 3's peripheral collar 33, any movement towards the bottom by cup 40 is prevented, i.e. movement towards hollow body 20. In other words, cup 40 is resting against collar 33. Indeed, cup 40's flexibility is insufficient to allow it to expand in lower section 32's opening diameter D2 in cylindrical neck 3.

In other words, cup 40 has, on the one hand, in its non-stressed state, diameter D4 greater than assembly opening 21 's opening diameter D3 and, on the other hand, in its stressed state, a diameter less than upper portion 31 's opening diameter D3 in cylindrical neck 3 but greater than lower portion 32's opening diameter D2 in cylindrical neck 3 as illustrated in Figure 3. Still referencing Figure 3, when inserting distribution valve 4, a mechanical insertion force is applied centrally on cup 40's exterior concave face 4A (camber Fl ), which increases its camber by reducing the diameter of its peripheral edge 42 (camber F2). When the mechanical insertion force is no longer applied, due to cup 40's flexibility and elasticity, cup 40's peripheral edge 42 enlarges and comes into contact with cylindrical neck 3's interior surface 3A (Figure 4), which blocks cup 40's position and ensures impervious assembly. Preferentially, referencing Figure 4, in the assembled position, cup 40's camber Δ increases by 0.1 mm to 0.5mm while angle a increases by 1 ° to 5° compared to cup 40's free state. Then, a propellant fluid is introduced into storage container 2's hollow body 20 through distribution component 41 on distribution valve 4. The propellant fluid may be compressed or liquefied. Alternatively, the propellant fluid may be introduced prior to closing storage container 2 with distribution valve 4. The propellant fluid mixes with the materials to be distributed in storage container 2's hollow body 20 in order to form the pressurized materials for distribution.

As illustrated in Figure 5, in the assembled position, hollow body 20's pressurized materials G exert pressure on the interior face of cup 40's exterior radial portion RE (camber F3), which tends to reduce the camber and increase peripheral edge 42's diameter (camber F4) due to cup 40's flexibility. In other words, the stress between cup 40 and cylindrical neck 3 increases due to pressurized materials G, which guarantees tight, quality closing. The greater materials G's pressure within storage container 2, the greater the radial force (camber F4) exerted, which improves tightness. Cup 40's exterior radial portion RE provides, due to its convexity, for converting all axial forces from materials G into a radial force against cylindrical neck 3.

In this manner, a perfectly locked and tight distribution system 1 is obtained for a lower production cost. Indeed, storage container 2 comprises cylindrical neck 3 whose production is less expensive compared to prior art given that it does not require producing a rolled edge. Moreover, given that the container does not have a rolled upper edge, average materials savings of 1 to 3 g may be achieved for a classic aerosol can. Lastly, producing a storage container without applying varnish is possible.

As for distribution valve 4, it has a lower cost price given that cup 40 is simple to produce and does not require any complex machining or stamping stages. Lastly, the equipment required to assemble distribution valve 4 in storage container 2 is reduced, accelerating production rates and facilitating checking stages, as no complex crimping stage is used.

In use, when mechanical component 41 is pressed down, towards storage container 2's hollow body 20, distribution valves 4 is opened and the materials to be distributed may escape distribution system 1 .

Other embodiments and advantageous variants of a distribution system according to the invention will now be presented.

Second Embodiment: Constant Cross-section Cylindrical Neck

According to another embodiment, referencing Figure 6, cylindrical neck 3 has a constant opening diameter along its length, i.e. without peripheral collar 33. In this manner, cup 40 is blocked in cylindrical neck 3 when the mechanical force applied centrally on cup 40's exterior face 4A is stopped when insertion is complete. Cup 40 is immobilized due to its flexibility and pressurized materials G's pressure in storage container 2. Cup 40's exterior radial portion RE provides optimal attachment. Indeed, the mechanical force required to install distribution 4 is significantly greater than the force applied by persons using distribution component 41 in order to distribute the pressurized materials. Such an embodiment is economical given that storage container 2 has a very simple design. Third Embodiment: Cylindrical Neck with Peripheral Groove

According to another embodiment, referencing Figure 7, cylindrical neck 3 comprises peripheral groove 34 whose opening diameter is greater than cylindrical neck 3's diameter D3.

Peripheral groove 34's thickness is greater than peripheral edge 42's thickness on cup 40. In this manner, peripheral edge 42 is housed in such peripheral groove 34 in cylindrical neck 3 when inserted in cylindrical neck 3, preventing any movement by cup 40 either upwards or downwards. Peripheral groove 34 provides for securing distribution valve 4's assembly in storage container 2. Moreover, due to its shape, peripheral groove 34 provides for increasing cylindrical neck 3's rigidity, providing for decreasing cylindrical neck thickness while maintaining high radial resistance. The distribution valves is thereby locked into position. Gasket Seal Presence

According to a preferred variation of the invention, referencing Figure 7, peripheral gasket seal 5 is assembled between cup 40 and such cylindrical neck 3. As an example, peripheral gasket seal 5 is annular and made of a plastic materials, for example, with a hardness on the order of 40-80 Shore. Preferably, peripheral gasket seal 5 has an L-shaped cross-section, but it is self-evident that a toric gasket may be used. Similarly, a liquid gasket applied beforehand on valve 4 or container 2 could also be used. Preferably, peripheral gasket seal 5 is assembled on distribution valve 4's cup 40 so as to be compressed between peripheral edge 42 on flexible curved cup 40 and cylindrical neck 3's interior face, ensuring optimal tightness between cup 40 and cylindrical neck 3. I† is self-evident that a gasket seal could be assembled in distribution system 1 for other storage container 2 or distribution valve 4 configurations.

Raised Peripheral Edge 42

According to a preferred invention variant, referencing Figures 8 and 9, cup 40's exterior radial portion RE comprises central portion 40a with a first curvature radius and peripheral portion 40b with a second curvature radius smaller than the first curvature radius such that cup 40's peripheral edge 42 is raised. Such cup 40 provides for advantageously guiding container 2 assembly when introducing valve 4 in cylindrical neck 3.

Ribs 44 According to an invention variant, cup 40 has on its exterior face 4A at least one stiffener suited to stiffening cup 40. Preferentially, referencing Figures 10 and 1 1 , cup 40 comprises multiple ribs 44, extending radially around distribution component 41 in order to increase cup 40's rigidity. Such ribs 44 provide for improving cup 40's resistance with regard to pressurized materials G's pressure without increasing the thickness of cup 40. Ribs 44's orientation provides for guiding the forces exerted on cup 40 radially towards cylindrical neck 3 so as to provide optimal tight closing.

Ribs 44 on cup 40 as defined in Figure 2 have been presented, but it is self-evident that such ribs 44 could be provided for on any embodiment of cup 40 according to the invention.

Upper Edge 35

According to an invention variant, referencing Figure 12, cylindrical neck 3 comprises upper edge 35 bent towards the interior so as to form a means of safety locking preventing distribution valve 4 disassembly. Preferably, bent edge 35 extends horizontally so as to decrease the assembly opening's diameter. It is self-evident that bent edge 35 could have another shape. In this example, upper edge 35 is bent after assembling distribution 4 in cylindrical neck 3. According†o an invention aspect, cylindrical neck 3's cross dimension before insertion is greater than cup 40's cross-section so as to provide for easy insertion prior to the reduction stage. Cup 40 is under stress from pressurized materials G.

As an example, referencing Figure 13, upper edge 35 is distorted by crimping so as to prevent any disassembly and moreover block distribution valve 4's movement vertically downwards. Preferably, as illustrated in Figure 14, peripheral gasket seal 5 is assembled on the distribution system so as to be compressed between peripheral edge 42 on flexible curved cup 40 and cylindrical neck 3's upper edge 35, ensuring optimal tightness between cup 40 and cylindrical neck 3. Figure 14 represents peripheral gasket seal 5 extending all around the valve cup. Peripheral gasket 5 has a U-shaped cross- section and defines and upper portion, side portion, and lower portion. Nevertheless, it is self-evident that peripheral gasket seal 5 could have a different shape and only comprise one or two portions. In particular, gasket seal 5 could only comprise an upper portion assembled above the cup or a lower portion assembled below the cup or a side portion assembled on the side of the cup. Advantageously, as illustrated in Figure 13, a distortion of upper edge 35 provides for facilitating closing and optimally checking the quality of such closing by measuring the values of GH/OD and ID, known to persons skilled in the art, practically and quickly. As an example, the dimensions may be checked using a continuous vision system with comparators or calipers.

Claims

1. Axial distribution valve (4) for a pressurized materials distribution system (1 ) comprising a distribution component (41 ) and a cup (40) suitable for attachment on a hollow body (20) of a distribution system (1 ), said cup (40) comprising an exterior face (4A) on which such distribution component (41 ) is attached and an interior face (4B) opposite such exterior face (4A), valve characterized by the fact that such cup (40) is flexible so as to be assembled prestressed in the distribution system's ( 1 ) hollow body (20) and the fact that said cup (40) comprises an interior radial portion (Rl) in which such distribution component (41 ) is attached and an exterior radial portion (RE) whose interior face (4B) is convex.

2. Distribution valve (4) according to Claim 1 , in which said interior face (4B) of said cup's (40) exterior radial portion (RE) is uniformly convex.

3. Distribution valve (4) according to one of the claims 1 to 2, in which said cup (40) comprises a bent peripheral edge (42).

4. Distribution valve (4) according to one of the claims 1 to 3, in which said cup's (40) exterior radial portion (RE) has a uniform thickness.

5. Distribution valve (4) according to one of the claims 1 to 4, in which said cup (40) comprises an annular peripheral edge (42) .

6. Pressurized materials distribution system (1 ) comprising:

a storage container (2) comprising a hollow body (20) filled with pressurized materials (G), an assembly opening (21 ), and a cylindrical neck (3) connecting such hollow body (20) to such assembly opening (21 ), and

a distribution valve (4), according to one of the claims 1 to 5, whose cup (40) is mounted prestressed in such cylindrical neck (3) and of which the interior face (4B) of said cup (40) is turned towards said hollow body (20).

7. Distribution system (1 ) as per Claim 6, in which the cup (40) comprises a peripheral edge (42) and the cylindrical neck (3) comprises an interior surface (30), said peripheral edge (42) of the cup (40) is pressed against said interior surface (30) of said cylindrical neck (3) .

8. Distribution system (1 ) according to one of the claims 6 to 7 in which the cup's (40) transverse dimension (D4) in the non-prestressed state is greater than the cylindrical neck's (3) transverse dimension (D3) .

9. Distribution system (1 ) according to one of the claims 6 to 8 in which the cylindrical neck's (3) transverse cross-section is annular.

10. Distribution system (1 ) according to one of the claims 6 to 9 in which the cylindrical neck (3) comprises a peripheral collar (33), the cup (40) a peripheral edge (42) and where said peripheral edge (42) is pressed against said peripheral collar (33) on said cylindrical neck (3) .

11. Distribution system (1 ) according to one of the claims 6 to 9 in which the cylindrical neck (3) comprises a peripheral groove (34), the cup (40) a peripheral edge (42) and where said peripheral edge (42) is housed in said peripheral groove (34) on said cylindrical neck (3) .

12. Distribution system (1 ) according to one of the claims 6 to 1 1 comprising a peripheral gasket seal (5) assembled between the cup (40) and said cylindrical neck (3).

13. Distribution system (1 ) according to one of the claims 6 to 1 2 in which said cylindrical neck (3) comprises a bent upper edge (35) .

14. An assembly process for a distribution system (1 ) according to one of the claims 6 to 1 3, comprising a forced insertion stage for the cup (40) so as to maintain said cup (40) in a prestressed state in said storage container's (2) cylindrical neck (3), with the interior face (4B) of said cup (40) turned towards the storage container's (2) hollow body (20) .

15. Distribution system (1 ) filling process according to one of the claims 6 to 13 comprising:

a storage container (2) hollow body (20) filling stage with pressurized materials (G); and

a distribution system ( 1 ) closing stage by inserting the cup (40) in said storage container's (2) cylindrical neck (3), with the interior face (4B) of said cup (40) turned towards the storage container's (2) hollow body (20).