U.S. patent application number 13/391137 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-08 for valve with safety protrusion.
This patent application is currently assigned to FAIGLE KUNSTSTOFFE GMBH. The applicant listed for this patent is Cathy De Maertelaere, Aster De Schrijver, Jordi Demey, Dietmar Murnig. Invention is credited to Cathy De Maertelaere, Aster De Schrijver, Jordi Demey, Dietmar Murnig.
Application Number | 20130200111 13/391137 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41165632 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130200111 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
De Schrijver; Aster ; et
al. |
August 8, 2013 |
VALVE WITH SAFETY PROTRUSION
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a valve (1) for a container
comprising a grommet (2) having a plug system (10) and defining a
channel (3) with an inlet end (4) and an outlet end (5) and a stem
(8) slideably arranged in the channel (3), whereby the grommet (2)
comprises at least two parts (7) and (8) sealingly engaged, said
first part (7) having protrusion within said second part (8).
Inventors: |
De Schrijver; Aster;
(Deurle, BE) ; De Maertelaere; Cathy; (Nukerke,
BE) ; Demey; Jordi; (Harelbeke, BE) ; Murnig;
Dietmar; (Hard, AT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
De Schrijver; Aster
De Maertelaere; Cathy
Demey; Jordi
Murnig; Dietmar |
Deurle
Nukerke
Harelbeke
Hard |
|
BE
BE
BE
AT |
|
|
Assignee: |
FAIGLE KUNSTSTOFFE GMBH
Hard
AT
ALTACHEM HOLDING NV
Deinze
BE
|
Family ID: |
41165632 |
Appl. No.: |
13/391137 |
Filed: |
August 18, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
August 18, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2010/062063 |
371 Date: |
October 8, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/402.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/756 20130101;
B65D 83/48 20130101; B65D 83/202 20130101; B65D 83/20 20130101;
B65D 83/46 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/402.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/48 20060101
B65D083/48 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 19, 2009 |
EP |
09168169.2 |
Claims
1. A valve for a container, said valve comprising: a grommet having
a plug system and defining a channel with an inlet end and an
outlet end; a stem slideably arranged in the channel; wherein the
grommet comprising at least two parts and sealingly engaged, said
first part having protrusion within said second part.
2. A valve according to claim 1, whereby the grommet is dual
injected.
3. A valve according to claim 2, whereby a multipurpose connection
ring is injected to the grommet during the same process.
4. A valve according to claim 2, whereby the second part of the
grommet is dual injected onto the first part of the grommet.
5. A valve according to claim 1, whereby said part has a hardness
higher than the hardness of said part.
6. A valve according to claim 1, wherein at least the first part of
the grommet is made of a thermoplastic material, selected from
polypropylene or polyethylene, polyamide, ABS, POM or PET.
7. A valve according to claim 6, wherein at least the first part of
the grommet is reinforced with fillers and/or glass fibers.
8. A valve according to claim 7, wherein the second part of the
grommet is made of a thermoplastic elastomer.
9. A valve according to claim 1, whereby the stem is made of a
polyolefine, selected from polyethylene or polypropylene.
10. A valve according to claim 9, wherein the stem is reinforced
with fillers and/or glass fibers.
11. A valve according to claim 1, whereby the stem comprises at
least one circular sealing lip.
12. A valve according to claim 1, whereby the stem comprises at
least two annular resilient lip sections.
13. An assembly for a container comprising: a valve as in claim 1;
a thermoplastic extended portion; wherein the thermoplastic
extended portion, is formed as an integral part of the grommet.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a new aerosol valve for a
pressurized fluid container, more particularly for one component
polyurethane foam applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is known generally known to store fluids under pressure
in containers (cans or vessels) in a wide field of applications.
The fluids are usually dispensed from the container by means of a
valve arranged in a cup of the container.
[0003] A well-known application is sprayable foams used in both
industrial applications and by hobbyists. As such, containers with
sprayable foam can be exposed to rather extreme conditions in terms
of temperature and pressure.
[0004] Under these extreme conditions, the pressure in the
container may rise and the valve may detach from the container
creating potential safety issues.
[0005] In order to prevent the above, several safety measures are
used, such as providing an overpressure relief valve or providing
"burst parts" in the container. However, the use of overpressure
relief valves is expensive, while providing weakened "burst parts"'
in the container is no option for containers that are used on
building sites as unintended burst of the container may be
triggered by the nature of use of these containers.
[0006] Still, in order to prevent the valve from detaching from the
container due to overpressure, it is possible to mould part of the
grommet over the container cup. However, the overmoulding is a cost
inefficient process.
[0007] It has now been found that the new valve of the present
invention overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks. In order to
prevent the valve from detaching from the container due to
overpressure, it is possible to increase the adhesion between the
different grommet parts.
[0008] The valve according to the present invention is a valve for
a container, the valve comprising a cup, a grommet defining a
channel with an inlet end and an outlet end and a stem slideably
arranged in the channel, whereby the grommet comprises at least two
parts sealingly engaged, said first part having protrusion within
said second part.
[0009] In addition, it has been found that the valve is safe and
sufficiently resilient while equally being moisture resistant
thereby avoiding stickiness and blockage of the valve.
[0010] Use of a valve for a container has already been disclosed in
EP 1,074,484. The invention describes a valve comprising a plastic
cup attached to the opening edge of a pressurized can, comprising a
coupling device for a can adaptor of a dispensing unit. The plastic
cup further comprises a plastically deformable, particularly a
clinchable, cylindrical pot wall. The coupling device for the can
adaptor is formed as an integral connection part. It made of
plastics material and is attached via thin connecting webs to the
outer edge of the pot wall of the valve head. A safety lip is
provided to assist in withstanding pressure.
[0011] Although the coupling device of the invention comprises a
safety lip to assist in withstanding pressure, the inside of the
valve is not protected against rising pressure. If the pressure
inside the can rises due to extreme conditions in terms of
temperature and pressure, the grommet comprising different elements
can loosen and the valve can detach from the container. Further,
although a thermoplastic material has been used to provide
hydrophobic properties and avoid diffusion/absorption of ambient
moisture in the container through the valve, thermoplastic
materials exhibit other inconveniences such as "creep", which is a
well known property of thermoplastic (TP) rubbers. This creep
allows for the materials to deform and causes the grommet to detach
from the cup when the container is put under extreme pressure.
[0012] Given the above, the present invention provides a valve for
a container dispensing a pressurized fluid and an assembly applied
for dispensing of pressurized fluids with safety properties, high
adhesion properties and sufficient resilience while avoiding the
use of an embedding or molding step and avoiding the necessity of
using of a spring.
[0013] In addition, a valve is provided for a container dispensing
pressurized fluids which valve is moisture repellent and therefore
will inhibit the water diffusion and/or absorption that is causing
stickiness and blockage of the valve.
[0014] None of the prior art discloses the valve according to the
present invention nor do these documents suggest the presently
obtained benefits associated therefrom,
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention is directed to a valve for a
container, said valve comprising a grommet having a plug system and
defining a channel with an inlet end and an outlet end and a stem
slideably arranged in the channel, whereby the grommet comprises at
least two parts sealingly engaged, said first part having
protrusion within said second part.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention is directed to a valve (1) for a
container, said valve (1) comprising a grommet (2) having a plug
system (10) and defining a channel (3) with an inlet end (4) and an
outlet end (5) and a stem (6) slideably arranged in the channel
(3), whereby the grommet (2) comprises at least two parts (7) and
(8) sealingly engaged, said first part (7) having protrusion (11)
within said second part (8).
[0017] An advantage of a valve according to the present invention
is that additional safety is provided by the design of the grommet.
Due to the first part of the grommet having a plug system and
protrusion within said second part of the grommet, the valve is
prevented from detaching from the container dome (9) when
overpressure occurs inside the container due to extreme conditions
in terms of temperature and pressure
[0018] Another advantage of a valve according to the present
invention is that by providing a first part of the grommet having
protrusion within a second part of the grommet, additional
resilience is provided. Also, by increasing the contact surface of
the first arid second part of the grommet, additional adhesion and
sealing is provided. Furthermore, the different parts of the
hydrophobic grommet are dual injected. Due to the technique of
injecting the different grommet parts, the adhesion between the
first and second part of the grommet is guaranteed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 schematically represents a valve according to the
present invention for a container dispensing a pressurized
fluid.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, and in accordance with the
present invention, a valve (1) for a container dispensing a
pressurized fluid is presented, the valve (1) comprising a grommet
(2) having a plug system (10) and defining a channel (3) with an
inlet end (4) and an outlet end (5), a stem (6) slideably arranged
in the channel (3), the grommet (2) comprising a first part (7)
provided at said outlet end (5), and a second part (8) provided at
said inlet end (4) characterized in that said first part (7) having
protrusion (11) within said second part (8).
[0021] The valve (1) is designed to be provided in an opening of a
container dome (9) for controlling dispensing a fluid from said
container. According to a preferred embodiment, the valve (1) is
designed to be clinched in an opening of a container dome (9). A
radially outwardly extending plug system (10) is provided and will
clinch the valve against the rim (30) of the container dome (9).
The radially outwardly extending plug system (10) is made of a
thermoplastic material, preferably strengthened with reinforcing
additives such as glass fiber. The plug system (10) is resilient.
The plug system (10) of the grommet (2) is snapped in the opening
of the container dome (9) and clinched to the rim (30) of the
container dome (9). By means of the plug system (10), additional
safety is provided. Due to the first part of the grommet having a
plug system and protrusion within said second part of the grommet,
the valve is prevented from detaching from the container dome when
overpressure occurs inside the container due to extreme conditions
in terms of temperature and pressure.
[0022] Said first part (7) of the grommet (2) is preferably made
from a thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene,
polyamide, ABS, POM or PET, preferably reinforced with fillers,
such as glass fibre. Use of thermoplastic materials, in particular
with the valve (1) comprising at least two parts (7) and (8)
sealingly engaged, wherein the first part (7) has protrusion (11)
within the second part (8), is advantageously to avoid corrosion,
which is experienced when metal cups are used.
[0023] The first part (7) is formed in the shape of a ring,
centrally defining the inlet end (4) of said channel (3). The first
part (7) is designed so that it comprises a plug system (10) for
clinching the valve (1) onto the container rim (30), preferably by
means of a radially outwardly extending part (31). The extending
part (31) can be designed as a continuous ring or, more preferably,
as a number of spaced apart radially extending sections (31). As
illustrated in FIG. 2, for spaced apart radially extending sections
(31) are provided. The shoulder portion (34) of the radially
outwardly extending part (31) is provided to be snapped against the
container rim (30) and provides additional safety so that the valve
(1) is hindered to be detached from the container dome (9) when the
pressure inside the container rises.
[0024] Preferably, the first part (7) further comprises an extended
portion (19) which is extendedly injection molded with the plug
system (10) of the grommet (2). The extended portion (19) is
mounted over the rim (30) of the container dome (9) and is
preferably designed as a multipurpose connection ring for a can
adaptor of a dispensing unit. At least two extended legs (33),
preferably four, are connected with the extended portion (19) to
reinforce the extended portion (19). In a preferred embodiment, the
four extending parts (31) of the plug system (10), the extended
portion (19), the four legs (33) are injection molded
simultaneously and in one piece. The sealing of the first part (7)
onto the container dome (9) may in this way be optimatized. The
first part (7) with the plug system (10) has a diameter larger than
the inner diameter of the opening of the container dome (9), so the
shoulder portion (34) of the plug system (10) can be plugged
against the rim (30) of the container dome (9). As illustrated in
FIG. 1 and more in detail in FIG. 3, the inner wall of the first
part (7) is provided with a shoulder portion (22) conically shaping
the inlet end (4) of the first part (7) of the grommet (2).
[0025] Another preferred embodiment of the present invention
comprises a roundabout extending part (not shown in the figures) as
an alternative for the four legs (33).
[0026] The second part (8) of the grommet (2) preferably has a ring
form defining part of said channel (3) and extending from the ring
form is a conically shaped wall portion defining the outlet end (5)
of said channel (3). Said wall portion is preferably defined by the
stem (6) having an annular extension (12) provided at a distance of
the ring form. in the present embodiment, the ring form of the
second part (8) of the grommet (2) is adhered to the first part (7)
of the grommet (2), The second part (8) of the grommet (2)
preferably comprises at least one, and in this case three inwardly
extending sealing lips (20).
[0027] The first part (7) of the grommet (2) has protrusion (11)
within the second part (8) of the grommet (2). Said protrusion (11)
may increase adhesion between said first (7) and said second (8)
part of the grommet (2). The protrusion (11) of the first part (7)
within the second part (8) of the grommet (2) increases the contact
surface of both parts and thus the sealing of both grommet parts
(7) and (8). More adhesion between the two parts (7) and (8) of the
grommet (2) prevents the valve (1) of being detached from the
container dome (9). Safety in hence increased. The protrusion (11)
of the first part (7) within the second part (8) of the grommet (2)
prevents the fluid in the container from contacting the second
grommet part (8), thereby avoiding sticking of the material against
the inner side of the grommet (2) and hence avoiding blocking of
the valve function. Additionally, the radially outwardly extending
plug (10) and the protrusion (11) increase the resiliency of the
grommet (2) of the valve (1).
[0028] According to the present invention, the first (7) and second
(8) part of the grommet (2) preferably are dual injection molded.
Due to the technique of injecting the different grommet parts (7)
and (8), additional resilience is provided. Furthermore, by
providing a dual injected grommet (2), the adhesion between the
first and second part of the grommet is guaranteed. The grommet (2)
is designed so that the adhesion surface of the different parts (7)
and (8) of the grommet (2) is increased. This additional sealing
provides a safer alternative for the valve assembly than the
existing valves for pressurized cans, Further, the first part (7)
is dual injection molded so that the sealing onto the rim (30) of
the container dome (9) is optimized.
[0029] The first part (7) of the grommet (2) is preferably
manufactured in a hydrophobic thermoplastic material. An advantage
thereof is that polyurea formed by a reaction of polyurethane and
ambient water ingress in the container, will not stick on the first
part (7). Hence proper sealing of the valve (1) by the stem (6) can
be achieved during entire lifetime of the container.
[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the first part (7) is made of a
thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene or polyethylene,
polyamide, ABS, POM or PET, The materials can be strengthened with
reinforcing additives such as glass fibre.
[0031] Although these compounds are hydrophobic, they exhibit other
inconveniences such as creep, which is a well known property of
thermoplastic rubber. Therefore, there is a need for an improved
grommet which is still moisture repulsive but keeps the required
snappy properties of rubber and does not necessarily requires a
spring.
[0032] According to the present invention, the hardness of the
first part (7) is higher than the hardness of the second part (8)
of the grommet (2). Preferably, the second part (8) is made of
material having a hardness in the range between Shore A35 and Shore
A90, more preferably, between Shore A70 and Shore A85 and even more
preferably a hardness of Shore A80.
[0033] The second part (8) can for example be made of a
thermoplastic elastomer, such as styrene-butadiene,
butylene-styrene, silicone rubbers, isopropyl ether (Kraton,
Shell), chlorinated polyethylene (Tyrin, Dupont de Nemours),
epichiorhydrin homopolymers or copolymer, ethylene propylene
(Nordel, Dupont de Nemours), fluoroelastomers (Viton, Dupont de
Nemours), alcryn MPR (chlorinated olefin interpolymer alloy),
Santoprene, Vegaprene, Geolast, Thermolast and Trefsin (Advanced
Elastomer Services (EXXON, Elastollan (Elastrogran) In a preferred
embodiment according to the present invention, the second part (8)
of the grommet (2) may act as a spring.
[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the stem (6) comprises a
disk-shaped base (17) and a conical protrusion extending therefrom,
said conical protrusion defining a dispensing channel (14) with an
inlet (14a) adjacent to said disk and an outlet end (14b) at the
distal end of the protrusion. The inlet (14a) is defined by holes
in the conical protrusion adjacent the disk-shaped base. The stem
(6) preferably comprises a first (15) and a second (16) disk-shaped
resilient lip section, both provided at the outer circumference of
the disk-shape base (17). The diameter of the first disk-shaped
resilient lip section (15) is preferably larger than the diameter
of the second disk-shaped resilient lip section (16).
[0035] In an assembled composition, the stem (6) is inserted into
the channel (3) of the grommet (2) whereby the grommet (2) is
clamped between circular sealing lip (12) at the outlet end (5) and
the disk-shaped base (17) at the inlet end (4) of the channel (3).
The stem (6) is hereby in sealing contact with the inner walls of
the channel (3), which sealing is ascertained by, on the one hand
the first (15) and a second (16) disk-shaped resilient lip section
abutting the conical shoulder portion (22) of the first part (7) of
the grommet (2), and on the other hand the annular extension (12)
abutting the conical protrusion of the stem (6).
[0036] As represented in FIG. 1, the valve is meant to be
incorporated in the opening of the rim (30) of the container's dome
(9) whereby the inner wall portion of said rim (30) opening is
fixedly clamped between the ring form (19) and the shoulder portion
(34) of the first part (7) of the grommet (2), thereby providing a
first sealing function. Clearly, the the shoulder portion (34) of
the first part (7) of the grommet (2) is positioned in the
container. It is further noticed that the first grommet part (7)
preferably has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of
the cup's opening, in order to help preventing the valve (1) from
accidentally detaching from the dome (9).
[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the second part (8) of the
grommet (2) is injection molded over and along the first grommet
part (7). In this way, adhesion between the different grommet parts
(7) and (8) is increased and optimized. The protrusion (11) of the
first part (7) in the second part (8) of the grommet provides
additional sealing and safety. Preferably, the second part (8) of
the grommet (2) is injection molded along and under the first part
(7) and at the sealing surface (13) pressed against the rim (30) of
the container dome (9), providing a second sealing function. As the
second part (8) of the grommet (2) is made of a resilient material,
a good sealing can be obtained between the container dome(9) and
the grommet (2).
[0038] In operation, the stem (6) can be slided between an open and
closed position of the valve (1). In rest, the valve (1) is closed
due to the disk-shaped part (17) of the stem (6) pressing against
the shoulder portion (22) of the inner wall of the first grommet
part (7). To open the valve (1), the stem (6) is pushed in a
direction towards the container whereby the inlet (14a) of the
dispensing channel (3) is in fluid communication with the
container's inner space. Once the pressure on the stem (6) is
released, it will be forced in a closed position again by the
resilience of the second part (8) of the grommet (2) and by the
pressure inside the container. By means of the protrusion (11) of
the first part (7) of the grommet (2), the holes at the inlet (14a)
of the dispensing channel (3) are located at a distance of the
second grommet part (8), both in a closed and open position of the
valve (1), the fluid in the container will not contact the second
grommet part (8), thereby avoiding sticking of the material against
the inner side of the grommet (2) and hence avoiding blocking of
the valve function.
[0039] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
and as illustrated in FIG. 1, the second part (8) of the grommet
(2) preferably is dual injection molded onto the first part (7) of
the grommet (2) of the container dome (9) via a number of injection
axes starting from the grommet (2). In this way, the second (8)
part of the grommet (2) is fastened over the rim (30) of the
container cup (9). By injection molding the second part (8) of the
grommet (2) onto the rim of the container dome (9), the safety is
increased. When the pressure inside the container rises, detachment
of the valve (1) from the container dome (9) is hence prevented.
Furthermore, the adhesion surface between the first (7) and the
second (8) part of the grommet (2) is substantially increased.
Another advantage of molding the second part (8) of the grommet (2)
onto the first part (7) of the grommet (2) at the position of the
sealing surface (13) pressed against the rim (30) of container dome
(9) is that the radially outwardly extending plug (10) and the
thermoplastic sealing surface (13) seals the cup (9) on the
pressurized cans without the use of a crimping machine.
[0040] Another embodiment according to the present invention
provides a thermoplastic multipurpose connection ring (19) as
intermediate connection part for easy mounting on the foam
applicator, illustrated in FIG. 1. The presence of an external
thread (21) assures easy outside mounting of the foam applicator on
the thermoplastic multipurpose connection ring (19).
[0041] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, a thermoplastic multipurpose connection ring (19) is
injection molded as the extension of the first part (7) of the
grommet. Thereby, the valve (1) and the multipurpose connection
ring (19) are formed as an integral part to be mounted on the rim
(30) container dome (9), as illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0042] In another embodiment of the present invention, the valve
(1) comprises a radially outwardly extended plug system (10) which
offers additional safety. The plug system (10) is designed as two
legs (40) which may be clamped against the inside of the
container's cup (9), as illustrated in FIG. 5. Further, the design
of this preferred embodiment requires no mechanical clinching
process to fasten the valve (1) to rim (30) of the container's dome
(9), the valve (1) can thus be assembled without the use of a
clinching equipment thereby simplifying production and reducing
production cost. Additional seating is obtained by the radially
outwardly extending legs (10) of the first grommet part (7)
abutting the container dome (9).
[0043] According to another embodiment of the invention, the
aerosol valve (1) according to the invention can comprise a spring
mechanism mounted on the first part (7) of the grommet (2) to
assist the closing of the valve at filling (not shown in the
figures).
[0044] The prior art grommets have been replaced by a grommet (2)
comprising a combination of a first part (7) having a protrusion
(11) within a second part (8). The protrusion (11) prevents the
second grommet part (8) from contacting the content of the
container. Further, the protrusion (11) increases the adhesion of
the first (7) and second part (8) on the interface. Thereby, the
need for an additional process step, such as laser welding to join
both parts together is avoided.
[0045] The valve (1) further needs to be moisture resistant.
Therefore, the first part (7) of the grommet (2) is preferably made
of hydrophobic thermoplastic material. Since the chemical
components present in the container are moisture sensitive and
react with moisture and/or gas to form the final polymer, it should
be acknowledged that any contact with ambient moisture is to be
avoided in order to prevent the forming of the final polymer inside
the can or vessel. Moisture diffuses via the valve system, more
particular the rubber grommet in case of gun and tilting valves.
Additionally, by means of the protrusion (11) of the first part (7)
within the second part (8), any contact between the chemical
components in the container and the second part (8) of the grommet
is avoided. Water penetration that is causing stickiness and
blockage of the valve is hence inhibited.
[0046] The valve (1) according to the present invention is a new
aerosol valve for pressurized fluid containers, more particularly
for One Component Foam (OCF) applications, such as polyurethane
foam containers, for adhesives and sealants, for food products and
for spray paint.
[0047] Having described the valve, it is believed that other
apparatus and/or containers comprising a valve according to the
invention will be suggested to those skilled in the art in view of
the description set, forth above. It is therefore to be understood
that all such apparatus and/or containers are believed to fall
within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended
claims.
* * * * *