WO2024061503A1

WO2024061503A1 - Rapid gassing valve for refillable aerosol

Info

Publication number: WO2024061503A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/068882
Authority: WO
Inventors: Olivier FARNAULT; Aurélien PETIT; Thierry TRANCHIDA
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2022-09-22
Filing date: 2023-07-07
Publication date: 2024-03-28
Also published as: FR3140076A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispensing valve (30) of longitudinal axis (X) intended to be mounted on a container (12) of a packaging assembly for a gas-refillable cosmetic product, the valve body (40) being provided with a movable element (28) closing a communication channel (26) between the container (12) and the chamber (52) during use of the aerosol and opening the communication channel (26) under the effect of the gas pressure when the container (12) is being refilled, the communication channel (26) being formed in a side wall of the valve body (40).

Description

Rapid gassing valve for refillable aerosol

The present invention relates to a rapid gassing dispensing valve, in particular for a refillable aerosol containing a cosmetic product. The invention also relates to a product dispensing device comprising such a valve and to a product packaging assembly, in particular a refillable aerosol, comprising such a dispensing device. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing this packaging assembly.

More generally, a cosmetic product is a product as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council dated 30 November 2009 relating to cosmetic products.

Technological background

Conventionally, a pressurized container comprises a dispensing valve which is fastened to a dome that is itself able to be crimped or rolled onto the neck of the container. The container contains the product to be dispensed and a compressed propellant gas, such as compressed air. The propellant gas may be in direct contact with the product to be dispensed inside the container. In this case, the container is filled with propellant gas via the dispensing valve.

Such a container can be refilled with a cosmetic product. In this case, once the product has been consumed, the dispensing system can be detached from the container, which can then be refilled with product. The container can then be resealed by the same dispensing system and pressurized again, for example by means of a new compressed gas supply to be connected to the dispensing valve.

The cosmetic product is contained under pressure, generally in liquid form, in a container of the packaging assembly closed by the dispensing device. The cosmetic product is normally retained in the container by the dispensing device. When the actuating rod is moved into the dispensing position, the cosmetic product spontaneously emerges from the container through the dispensing duct under the effect of the pressure inside the container. In most cases, a diffuser coupled to the outlet orifice divides the cosmetic product emerging from the container into small droplets which, when projected into the air, form an aerosol.

Once empty, these packaging assemblies can be refilled by injecting a new product into the container by means of the dispensing device. To do this, the actuating rod must simply be moved to the dispensing position, then the new product injected under pressure into the outlet orifice.

If the product to be dispensed is intended to be isolated from the propellant gas, they can be separated by a flexible pouch or by a piston.

The patent application FR-A1-2 951 140 describes a refillable diffuser of the type comprising a pouch that is mounted inside a container and contains the product to be dispensed, and a propellant gas introduced into the container in order to exert a pressure on the pouch. The dispensing valve is crimped or rolled onto a dome. A ring is provided, which is screwed onto the container and presses a dome bearing the dispensing valve against the open end of the container. Once all of the product contained in the pouch has been dispensed, the unscrewing of the ring makes it possible to access this pouch and replace it.

To use such a refillable pouch device, it is known to place a product pouch topped by a dispensing system in a container, to close the assembly with a screw-on ring making the system hermetic, and to connect the valve to a compressed air network or to a compressor, up to an air supply that can reach a pressure of 3 to 12 bars depending on the desired spraying force.

However, whether an aerosol with or without a pouch is used, refillable aerosols require a long gassing time.

There is a need to offer a refill system for an aerosol device with a reduced gassing time compared with current systems, particularly for consumers if the system can be used at home, or in-store if the system is installed in supermarkets, for example.

There is a need for a refill system for an aerosol device that is easy to use and can be adapted to any type of device, whatever the filling level and/or residual internal pressure.

There is a need to offer a refill system for an aerosol device that does not require any difficult or meticulous handling.

There is a need to offer a refill system for an aerosol device, which can be used to refill without the risk of hands getting dirty.

There is a need to provide a refillable aerosol that operates with a compressed gas, in particular air, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, with performance equivalent to market aerosols using liquefied gas.

DEFINITION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a dispensing valve of longitudinal axis X intended to be mounted on a container of a packaging assembly for a gas-refillable cosmetic product, the valve comprising: a valve body defining a chamber inside the valve body that opens out to the outside of the valve body via a product inlet opening; an actuating rod inserted in an outlet opening of the valve body, the rod defining an internal dispensing duct, said dispensing duct opening out to the outside of the rod via a product inlet orifice and via a product outlet orifice, the actuating rod being mounted in the chamber of the valve body so as to be movable between a cosmetic product dispensing position in which the inlet orifice is in fluid communication with the chamber and the outlet orifice is arranged outside the chamber, and a position for blocking the cosmetic product, in which the inlet orifice is not in fluid communication with the chamber; and a member for returning the actuating rod to its blocking position, the valve body being provided with a movable element closing a communication channel between the container and the chamber during use of the aerosol and opening the communication channel under the effect of the gas pressure when the container is being refilled, the communication channel being formed in a side wall of the valve body.

Thanks to the device according to the invention, it is possible to reduce the gassing time during gas refilling by modifying a known valve by adding a communication channel between the container and the chamber. This modification can be carried out on most known valves, leaving an appreciable choice of valve depending on the intended application.

According to the invention, it is proposed to add one or more orifices to a valve body which is obstructed by a movable element, in particular made of elastomer, which may be jammed in a groove when the product is used by the consumer. This orifice is open during the gassing stage. This reduces the gassing time for the consumer.

The invention also relates to a dispensing device with a longitudinal axis X, comprising a valve as described above.

The invention also relates to a gas-refillable cosmetic product packaging assembly comprising a container containing a cosmetic product and a dispensing device closing the container, wherein the dispensing device is a device as previously described.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a packaging assembly, comprising the following successive steps: providing the container and the dispensing valve; closing the container with the dispensing valve; filling the container by moving the actuating rod into the dispensing position; injecting the cosmetic product under pressure into the outlet orifice; and injecting the gas under pressure into the outlet orifice.

Main definitions

A “cross section of a component of axis X” is a section perpendicular to the axis X of the component.

The “longitudinal axis of a component” denotes the line connecting all of the centres of mass of the cross sections of a component.

Preferred embodiments

Preferably, the valve according to the invention has one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination:

The inlet orifice is disposed outside the chamber when the movable element closes the communication channel and the inlet orifice is in communication with the chamber when the movable element opens the communication channel, the outlet orifice being in communication with the gas refill.

The communication channel defines a seat for the movable element, the movable element resting on the seat during use of the aerosol and moving away from the seat during refilling of the container.

It includes one or more communication channels.

The valve body is formed in one piece and the communication channel passes through the valve body.

The movable element is an O-ring.

Description of the figures

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the following detailed description of non-limiting implementation examples thereof and from examining the appended schematic and partial drawing, in which:

,

is a cross-sectional view of part of a packaging assembly according to the invention, with the valve not actuated at rest,

,

is a cross-sectional view of part of a packaging assembly according to the invention, during its refilling with gas, the arrows showing the passage of the gas during gassing,

,

is a longitudinal section of the valve body according to the invention showing communication channels,

,

is a cross section of the body of a valve with four communication channels,

,

is a front view of the valve in , with the O-ring detached from the valve body.

The packaging assembly 10 in comprises a container 12 and a dispensing device 14 of longitudinal axis X closing the container 12. The container 12 comprises, in known manner, a wall 20 defining an internal cavity 22 for receiving a cosmetic product. Said internal cavity 22 opens out to the outside of the container 12 via a neck 24 formed in the wall 20.

This internal cavity 22 contains a cosmetic product (not shown), for example an eau de toilette, a perfume, a deodorant or a hair-styling product. The dispensing device 14 is arranged across the neck 24 so as to completely seal the neck 24. It is fastened at its periphery to the rim 26 of the neck 24. The dispensing device 14 comprises a dispensing valve 30 and a dome 32. The dome 32 defines a passage 34 for the cosmetic product. The valve 30 is engaged in this passage 34 and is connected to the dome 32 so as to prevent the passage of a fluid through the passage 34 between the valve 30 and the dome 32 when the pressure of this fluid is less than or equal to the pressure prevailing in the cavity 22. The dome 32 connects the valve 30 to the container 12. To this end, the dome 32 is crimped at its periphery to the rim 26. The valve 30 comprises a valve body 40, an actuating rod 42 and a return member 44. The valve body 40 is disposed integrally on the same side of the dome 32. In particular, the valve body 40 is disposed integrally on the side of the dome 32 facing the cavity 22. The valve body 40 is rigidly connected to the dome 32. For this purpose, the dome 32 is crimped onto the valve body 40, for example. The valve body 40 comprises a cylindrical portion 50 defining an internal chamber 52 opening out to the outside of the valve body 40 via an inlet opening 54 for the cosmetic product and an opening 56 for the rod 42 to pass through. The openings 54, 56 are formed at opposite axial ends of the cylindrical portion 50. It should be noted that the term "cylindrical" is used here and in the rest of the application in its broadest sense, and encompasses both cylinders of revolution and cylinders with a polygonal cross section. The valve body 40 also comprises an appendage 58 for connecting a dip tube (not shown). This appendage 58 projects from an axial end of the cylindrical portion 50 and surrounds the inlet opening 54. The valve body 40 also comprises a seal 60 surrounding the outlet orifice 56 (internal seal). Said seal 60 rests against the dome 32 and provides a seal between the valve body 40 and the dome 32. The actuating rod 42 is substantially coaxial with the cylindrical portion 50. The orifice of the actuating rod 64 is blocked by the seal 60.

It extends through the passage 34 and the opening 56. It thus extends partly into the chamber 52 and partly outside the chamber 52. The seal 60 is in contact with a side face 61 of said rod 42 so as to provide a seal between the rod 42 and the valve body 40. The actuating rod 42 defines an axial duct 62, inside the rod 52, for dispensing the cosmetic product. This duct 62 opens out to the outside of the rod 52 via an inlet orifice 64 for the cosmetic product and via an outlet orifice 66 for the cosmetic product. The inlet orifice 64 is formed in the side face 61. The outlet orifice 66 is formed in an axial end of the rod 42 located outside the chamber 52. The actuating rod 42 is mounted so as to be movable in the chamber 52 along its axis A-A' between a cosmetic product blocking position, shown in , in which the inlet orifice 64 is not in fluid communication with the chamber 52, and a cosmetic product dispensing position (not shown), in which the inlet orifice 64 is in fluid communication with the chamber 52. In particular, in the blocking position, the inlet orifice 64 is positioned facing the seal 60 and, in the dispensing position, the inlet orifice 64 is positioned in the chamber 52. The actuating rod 42 carries, for example, a stop (not shown) to stop the actuating rod 42 when it reaches the blocking position. This stop is also adapted to prevent the actuating rod 42 from moving completely out of the chamber 52. To this end, the said stop is, in the example shown, designed to be in contact with the seal 60 when the rod 42 is in the blocking position. In the example shown, the stop is thus formed by a shoulder of the rod 42 facing the seal 60. The return member 44 is designed to urge the rod 42 towards its blocking position. This blocking position thus constitutes a rest position for the rod 42. In particular, the return member 44 is arranged in the chamber 52. In the example shown, this return member 44 is a compression spring interposed between the axial end of the rod 42 positioned in the chamber 52 and the axial end of the cylindrical portion 50 in which the inlet opening 54 is formed. A seat 74 is positioned in the duct 62.

A communication channel 26 is defined in the side wall of the valve body 40 and opens out at one end into the chamber 52 and at the other end into the container 12 above the level of the composition. An enlarged internal space receiving a movable element such as an O-ring 28 and extending a cylindrical portion 29 of the communication channel 26 by a hemispherical bearing surface, serves as a seat 27 for the O-ring 28. The O-ring 28, as it moves, can be held partially inside the seat 27 by an elastic means such as a spring or an elastic leaf, the ends of which can be inserted into the side wall of the valve body 40.

The O-ring 28 obstructs the orifice 26. The orifice 26 is released during gassing because the gassing pressure is greater than the elastic resistance of the O-ring, thus allowing the gas to pass through the orifice 26. In the example shown, the communication channel 26 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, but this does not have to be the case.

The O-ring 28 moves in its seat 27 along the axis Y perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, the internal diameter of the seat 27 being smaller than the diameter of the O-ring 28.

The hemispherical head forming the seat 27 cooperates with the O-ring 28 engaged in the communication channel 26. The seat 27 is extended by a transverse hole forming the cylindrical portion 29 passing through the wall of the body.

The seat 27 may have a completely different shape to that shown, such as a truncated cone, cone, cylinder or cube, and for example may form a groove.

shows the communication channel 26 comprising the cylindrical portion 29 and the hemispherical portion forming the seat 27 in which the O-ring moves. In , the O-ring is at the bottom of the seat to close the chamber, outside an aerosol gassing operation. Of course, channel 26 could have a completely different shape.

shows an embodiment of the invention with four communication channels 26, 260, 261, 262 equally spaced around the longitudinal axis X, the channels 26 and 261, and also 260 and 262 being symmetrical to each other with respect to the axis X. Further channels could be added.

shows the assembly comprising the valve body 40 with an orifice, a housing for the O-ring, and an O-ring.

The packaging assembly operates as described below.

Valve 30 open

When the user wishes to refill the packaging assembly with gas, they depress the rod 42 by sliding it along the axis X and connect the product outlet orifice 66 to a gas refill ( ). The pressure prevailing in the chamber, and therefore the pressure at the outlet of the valve body, is thus transmitted to the communication channel 26 via the inlet orifice 64 and is exerted on a surface of the O-ring 28, corresponding to the cross section of the channel 26, against the force developed by the spring holding the O-ring 28 in its seat. When this pressure exceeds a predetermined value, the O-ring 28 is moved away from its seat and the gas pressure builds up over the entire cross section of the container above the level of the composition.

The pressurized gas enters the chamber through the product outlet orifice 66 and then through the inlet orifice 64. It then passes through channel 26 and pushes back the O-ring 28 to release access to the container between the O-ring 28 and the bottom of the seat 27. The channel 26 is opened and the gas enters the container ( ). In the example shown, the O-ring protrudes from the wall of the valve body, but this is not necessarily the case.

At the end of the gassing operation, because the cross section of the container is much greater than the cross section of the channel 26, the force exerted on the O-ring 28 becomes much greater than that which caused the detachment of its seat and the O-ring 28 collapses radially inwardly towards the longitudinal axis X.

Valve 30 closed

When gassing is complete, the rod 42 rises again, the inlet orifice 64 is positioned opposite the seal 60, and the O-ring 28 is positioned at the bottom of the seat 27 ( ). The channel 26 is closed while the aerosol is in use. The O-ring 18 is pushed, by the higher pressure, against the seat 27 of the channel 26 connected to the chamber of lower pressure, and closes this channel 26. After each gassing operation, the O-ring 28 falls back onto its seat 27, where it is held in place by the spring, for example. The highest pressure is thus available inside the container 19, therefore depressing the O-ring 28. When the valve rod is returned to its raised position, the O-ring 28 can be pushed radially into the seat 27.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings. For example, the valve body may comprise more channels, which may or may not be coplanar. The longitudinal axis of the channels may be inclined or perpendicular to the axis X.

Claims

Dispensing valve (30) of longitudinal axis (X) intended to be mounted on a container (12) of a packaging assembly for a gas-refillable cosmetic product, the valve (30) comprising: a valve body (40) defining a chamber (52) inside the valve body (40) that opens out to the outside of the valve body (40) via a product inlet opening (54); an actuating rod (42) inserted in an outlet opening (56) of the valve body (40), the rod defining an internal dispensing duct (62), said dispensing duct (62) opening out to the outside of the rod (42) via a product inlet orifice (64) and via a product outlet orifice (66), the actuating rod (42) being mounted in the chamber (52) of the valve body (40) so as to be movable between a cosmetic product dispensing position in which the inlet orifice (64) is in fluid communication with the chamber (52) and the outlet orifice (66) is arranged outside the chamber (52), and a position for blocking the cosmetic product, in which the inlet orifice (64) is not in fluid communication with the chamber (52); and a member (44) for returning the actuating rod (42) to its blocking position, characterized in that the valve body (40) is provided with a movable element (28) closing a communication channel (26) between the container (12) and the chamber (52) during use of the aerosol and opening the communication channel (26) under the effect of the gas pressure when the container (12) is being refilled, the communication channel (26) being formed in a side wall of the valve body (40).
Dispensing valve (30) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the inlet orifice (64) is disposed outside the chamber (52) when the movable element (28) closes the communication channel (26) and the inlet orifice (64) is in communication with the chamber (52) when the movable element (28) opens the communication channel (26), the outlet orifice (66) being in communication with the gas refill.
Dispensing valve (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication channel (26) defines a seat (27) for the movable element, the movable element (28) resting on the seat during use of the aerosol and moving away from the seat during refilling of the container (12).
Dispensing valve (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises one or more communication channels (26).
Dispensing valve (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve body is formed in one piece and the communication channel (26) passes through the valve body (40).
Dispensing valve (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable element (28) is an O-ring.
Dispensing device (14) of longitudinal axis (X), characterized in that it comprises a valve according to any one of the preceding claims.
Gas-refillable cosmetic product packaging assembly (10) comprising a container (12) containing a cosmetic product and a dispensing device (14) closing the container (12), wherein the dispensing device (14) is a device according to Claim 7.
Method for manufacturing a packaging assembly according to Claim 8, comprising the following successive steps: providing the container (12) and the dispensing valve (30); closing the container (12) with the dispensing valve (30); filling the container (12) by moving the actuating rod (42) into the dispensing position; injecting the cosmetic product under pressure into the outlet orifice (66); and injecting the gas under pressure into the outlet orifice (66).