U.S. patent application number 15/548454 was filed with the patent office on 2018-01-25 for ring for securing a pouch in a pressurized dispenser and method of pressurizing a pressurized dispenser provided with such a ring.
This patent application is currently assigned to LINDAL FRANCE SAS. The applicant listed for this patent is LINDAL FRANCE SAS. Invention is credited to Bernard Borel, Jerome Peltier.
Application Number | 20180022536 15/548454 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52808022 |
Filed Date | 2018-01-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180022536 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Borel; Bernard ; et
al. |
January 25, 2018 |
RING FOR SECURING A POUCH IN A PRESSURIZED DISPENSER AND METHOD OF
PRESSURIZING A PRESSURIZED DISPENSER PROVIDED WITH SUCH A RING
Abstract
A fastening ring for a pressurized dispenser includes a central
portion (31) on the exterior face of which is fastened a pouch and
whose diameter is smaller than the opening (11) of the container,
and a flange (32) for fastening the ring between the edge of the
container opening (11) and the peripheral edge (231) of the cup of
the container valve. The ring is further provided, on its exterior
face, between the central portion (31) and the flange (32), with at
least one passage (361), dimensioned so that, when the ring is
placed in the opening (11) of a container with its passage(s)
situated at the height of the edge of the opening (11) of the
container, the passage(s) extend on both sides of the edge of the
opening (11) and each passage forms a path setting in contact the
outside and inside of the container.
Inventors: |
Borel; Bernard;
(Mancieulles, FR) ; Peltier; Jerome; (Batilly,
FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LINDAL FRANCE SAS |
Briey |
|
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
LINDAL FRANCE SAS
Briey
FR
|
Family ID: |
52808022 |
Appl. No.: |
15/548454 |
Filed: |
February 3, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
February 3, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2016/052237 |
371 Date: |
August 3, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/42 20130101;
B65D 83/62 20130101; B65D 83/38 20130101; B65D 83/48 20130101; B65B
31/003 20130101; B65D 83/32 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/42 20060101
B65D083/42; B65D 83/38 20060101 B65D083/38; B65D 83/62 20060101
B65D083/62 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 5, 2015 |
FR |
1550903 |
Claims
1. Fastening ring for a pressurized dispenser made up of a
container provided with an opening, a valve mounted on a cup
provided with a peripheral edge and a fastening ring on which is
fastened a pouch, wherein the fastening ring comprises: a central
portion having an exterior face adapted for fastening a pouch, a
transverse cross-section of the central portion being smaller than
the opening of the container for which the ring is intended, a
flange for at least one of (i) fastening the ring between the edge
of the opening of the container and the peripheral edge of the cup
of the valve, (ii) ensuring sealing between the ring and the cup of
the container, and (iii) ensuring sealing between the ring and the
edge of the opening of the container, a diameter of the flange
being greater than a diameter of the opening of the container for
which the ring is intended, and a junction portion located between
the central portion and the flange and having an exterior face,
wherein at least one passage is formed on the exterior face of the
junction portion, the passage or passages not extending beyond the
junction portion and being dimensioned so that, when the ring is
placed in the opening of a container with the passage or passages
located at the height of the edge of the opening of the container,
the passage or passages extend on both sides of the edge of the
opening and each passage forms a path setting in contact the
portion of the exterior face of the ring located outside the
container and the portion of the exterior face of the ring located
inside the container.
2. The fastening ring according to claim 1, wherein the flange is
dimensioned so as to ensure sealing between the ring and the
peripheral edge of the cup when the ring is placed in the opening
of a container with its passage or passages located at the height
of the edge of the opening of the container and gas is introduced
into the container through the passage or passages.
3. The fastening ring according to claim 1, wherein the at least
one passage is a single annular passage which extends completely
around the ring.
4. The fastening ring according to claim 1, further comprising at
least one of the following elements: (i) a tenon for attaching a
dip tube, (ii) a tenon for attaching anti-collapse means, (iii)
anti-collapse means, (iv) fins to facilitate fastening a pouch.
5. The fastening ring according to claim 1, further comprising a
flexible pouch fastened to the central portion.
6. The fastening ring according to claim 1, wherein the exterior
face of the junction portion comprises, at the passage or passages,
a shoulder parallel to the flange an outer diameter of the shoulder
being greater than the diameter of the opening of the container and
a height of the shoulder being so that the passage or passages
extend on both sides of the shoulder.
7. The fastening ring according to claim 1, further comprising a
valve equipped with means for fastening the valve on the fastening
ring so that when the valve is mounted in the ring, the valve is
immobilized with respect to the ring at least in axial
direction.
8. The fastening ring according to claim 7, wherein the fastening
means of the valve on the ring are constituted by an end-piece
attached to a lower end of a stem of the valve, the end-piece being
provided with at least one hook dimensioned so that, when the valve
is mounted in the ring with a peripheral edge of the cup of the
valve bearing against the flange of the ring, the hook or hooks are
snapped behind bearing surfaces formed on the ring.
9. Method of pressurizing a pressurized dispenser made up of a
container, a valve mounted on a cup, and a fastening ring according
to claim 1, on which is fastened a pouch, wherein the method
comprises: (a) introducing the ring in the container so that the
pouch is located inside the container; (b) filling the pouch with a
product to be packaged; (c) placing the valve in the ring so that a
peripheral edge of the cup of the valve bears against the flange of
the ring; (d) moving the ring if necessary so that the passage or
passages for the gas extend on both sides of the edge of the
opening of the container; (e) introducing gas into the container
through the passage or passages; (f) pushing down the assembly
constituted by the ring and the valve until the peripheral edge of
the cup and the flange are in contact with the container; (g)
sealingly fastening the cup on the container while wedging the
flange of the ring between the cup and the container.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, for fastening the cup
on the container in step (g), the cup is swaged, crimped or welded
to the container.
11. The method according to claim 9, wherein, in step (a), the ring
is introduced into the container until the passage or passages are
at the height of the edge of the opening of the container while
extending on both sides of the edge so that it is not necessary to
move the ring in step (d).
12. The method according to claim 9, wherein, in step (a), the ring
is introduced into the container until the flange bears against the
edge of the opening of the container and wherein, in step (d), the
ring is partially taken out of the container until the passage or
passages are at the height of the edge of the opening of the
container while extending on both sides of the edge.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the pressurized
dispenser is equipped with a valve provided with fastening means,
and wherein, in step (c), the valve is fastened to the ring by its
the fastening means.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, in step (c), the
valve is fastened to the ring by snap-fastening hooks behind
bearing surfaces made in the ring.
15. The method according to claim 13, wherein, in step (d), for
partially taking the ring out of the container, a traction is
exerted on the cup of the valve.
16. The method according to claim 14, wherein, in step (d), for
partially taking the ring out of the container, a traction is
exerted on the cup of the valve.
17. The method according to claim 10, wherein, in step (a), the
ring is introduced into the container until the passage or passages
are at the height of the edge of the opening of the container while
extending on both sides of the edge so that it is not necessary to
move the ring in step (d).
18. The method according to claim 10, wherein, in step (a), the
ring is introduced into the container until the flange bears
against the edge of the opening of the container and wherein, in
step (d), the ring is partially taken out of the container until
the passage or passages are at the height of the edge of the
opening of the container while extending on both sides of the
edge.
19. The fastening ring according to claim 8, wherein, when the
valve is mounted in the ring with the peripheral edge of the cup of
the valve bearing against the flange of the ring, the hook or hooks
are snapped behind a lower edge of the central portion of the
ring.
20. The fastening ring according to claim 2, wherein the at least
one passage is a single annular passage which extends completely
around the ring.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a fastening ring for a pressurized
dispenser and to a method of pressurizing a pressurized dispenser
provided with a ring according to the invention. The pressurized
dispensers for which the ring of the invention is intended are made
up of a container, a valve mounted on a cup, and a fastening ring
on which is fastened a pouch. The fastening ring is provided with a
central portion on the exterior face of which is fastened a pouch
and whose transverse cross-section is smaller than the
cross-section of the opening of the container for which the ring is
intended, and with a flange for fastening the ring between the edge
of the opening of the container and the peripheral edge of the cup
of the valve and/or to ensure sealing between the ring and the cup
and/or between the ring and the edge of the opening of the
container, the diameter of the flange being greater than the
diameter of the opening of the container for which the ring is
intended.
[0002] There are several ways of pressurizing a pressurized
dispenser depending on whether the valve is a metering valve or a
simple valve, whether the product to be packaged is viscous or not,
and whether it is located in a pouch or directly in the
container.
[0003] Initially, the propellant gas was introduced through an
opening made in the bottom of the container already containing the
product to be packaged. After pressurization, the opening was
closed by a small stopper called a plug. This technique is still
used in some cases, but other methods have been developed. In the
case of a low-viscosity product kept in a pouch protecting it from
the propellant gas, it is common to first put the valve with the
pouch in the container, lift the cup to introduce the propellant
gas into the container through the slot located between the
peripheral edge of the cup and the rolled edge of the neck of the
container. The cup is then secured to the container by swaging or
crimping it. Finally, the pouch is filled with the product to be
packaged by making it penetrate via the valve. If the product to be
packaged is not placed in a pouch, it is possible to introduce the
product first, position the valve on the container, add the
propellant gas through the slot created by lifting the valve, and
then swage or crimp the valve. The propellant gas can also be added
via the valve.
[0004] The solution of filling via the valve is not always
applicable. It is not suitable, for example, for metering valves
which have an intermediate reservoir that cannot be opened both to
the outside and to the inside of the container. The solution
described above is also not applicable if the product to be
packaged is not sufficiently fluid to be able to flow quickly
enough through the very narrow path passing through the valve or if
the residues cannot be easily cleaned.
[0005] If the product to be packaged is too viscous or too thick,
as is the case, for example, with silicon, glue, sticky materials,
culinary doughs such as dough for churros, it is not possible to
make it penetrate into the container or into the internal pouch
through the valve, even through a high flow valve. In addition,
there is the problem of cleaning the valve after filling, since
some of the product generally remains on the wall. Thus, the
product must be poured into the container or into the pouch before
putting the valve in place. When the product is contained directly
in the container, pressurization is performed by introducing the
gas between the valve cup and the neck of the container before
attaching the cup to the container. If, however, the viscous
product is contained in a pouch, it is common for the pouch to be
fixed, not to the valve like for fluid products, but to the neck of
the container. It can be wedged in a sealed manner between the cup
of the valve and the neck of the container, or it can be welded to
a fastening ring, the upper part of which is wedged between the
neck of the container and the cup. Reference is made, for example,
to patent application WO 2013/131846 A1. In this case, the ring
provided with the pouch is placed on the neck of the container,
with its flange bearing on it, the product is poured into the pouch
through the large diameter channel of the ring. After filling, the
valve is placed at the top of the ring and its cup is crimped or
swaged on the neck of the container while wedging the flange of the
ring between them in a sealed manner. The propellant gas is then
introduced into the container according to the traditional method,
that is to say, via an opening made in the bottom of the container,
which opening is then closed by means of a stopper.
[0006] The objective of the invention is to simplify the
pressurization of a dispenser provided with a valve and a fastening
ring on which is fastened a pouch, and thus, to avoid piercing the
bottom of the container.
[0007] This objective is achieved in accordance with the invention
in that the ring is provided with a junction portion located
between the central portion and the flange and on the exterior face
of which at least one passage is made, the passage or passages not
extending beyond said junction portion and being dimensioned so
that, when the ring is placed in the opening of a container with
its passages located at the height of the edge of the opening of
the container, the passage or passages extend on both sides of the
edge of the opening and each passage forms a path setting in
contact the portion of the exterior face of the ring located
outside the container and the portion of the exterior face of the
ring located inside the container. It is thus possible to introduce
the gas into the container via the passage or passages when the
ring is placed in the neck of the housing with its passages at the
height of the edge of the opening of the container, projecting
above and below said edge.
[0008] In order to ensure sealing during pressurization, it is
preferable to dimension the flange to ensure sealing between the
ring and the peripheral edge of the cup when the ring is placed in
the opening of a container with its passage or passages located at
the height of the edge of the opening of the container and gas is
introduced into the container through the passage or passages.
[0009] In a particular variant, the ring is provided with a single
annular passage which extends completely around the ring.
[0010] The ring can also be provided with at least one of the
following elements: (i) a tenon for attaching a dip tube, (ii) a
tenon for attaching anti-sagging means, (iii) anti-sagging means,
(iv) fins to make it easier to fasten the pouch. It is preferably
provided with a flexible pouch fastened to its central portion. By
anti-sagging means, it is meant in particular means that prevent
the pouch from collapsing, that is to say, from collapsing on
itself in a way that creates pockets isolated from the valve and
whose contents cannot be extracted.
[0011] The ring can be supplied alone or with a pouch fastened to
its central portion.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ring is
provided, on its exterior face at the passage or passages, with a
shoulder parallel to the flange, the outside diameter of the
shoulder being greater than the diameter of the opening of the
container and the height of the shoulder being so that the passage
or passages extend on both sides of said shoulder.
[0013] It can be useful in some cases to equip the ring with a
valve equipped with means for fastening it to the fastening ring so
that, when the valve is mounted in the ring, it is immobilized with
respect to the ring at least in axial direction. The means for
fastening the valve on the ring can be constituted by an end-piece
fixed to the lower end of the stem of the valve, the end-piece
being provided with at least one hook dimensioned so that, when the
valve is mounted in the ring with the peripheral edge of its cup
bearing against the flange of the ring, the hook or hooks are
snapped behind bearing surfaces provided on the ring, preferably
behind the lower edge of the central portion of the ring, so that
when the valve is mounted in the ring, it is immobilized with
respect to the ring at least in axial direction.
[0014] The method of the invention is characterized by the
following steps: [0015] (a) introducing the ring into the container
so that the pouch is located inside the container; [0016] (b)
filling the pouch with the product to be packaged; [0017] (c)
placing the valve in the ring so that the peripheral edge of the
cup of the valve bears against the flange of the ring and ensures a
sealed connection; [0018] (d) displacing the ring if necessary so
that the passages for the gas extend on both sides of the edge of
the opening of the container; [0019] (e) introducing the gas into
the container through the passages; [0020] (f) depressing the
assembly constituted by the ring and the valve until the peripheral
edge of the cup and the flange are in contact with the container;
[0021] (g) sealingly fastening the cup on the container while
wedging the flange of the ring between them.
[0022] It is preferable in step (g) to fasten the cup to the
container by swaging, crimping, or any other method of assembly. If
the cup and the container are made of plastic, they can be welded
together, for example. In step (e), the cup can be held on the ring
so as to form a sealed connection.
[0023] In a first embodiment of the process of the invention, in
step (a), the ring is introduced into the container until the
passage or passages are at the height of the edge of the opening of
the container while extending on both sides of the said edge so
that it is not necessary to move the ring in step (d).
[0024] In a second embodiment of the method, in step (a), the ring
is introduced into the container until its flange bears against the
edge of the opening of the container. In step (d), the ring is
partially taken out of the container until the passage or passages
are at the height of the edge of the opening of the container while
extending on both sides of the said edge.
[0025] In the second embodiment of the method, in step (c), the
valve is fastened to the ring by means of fastening means provided
on the valve. The valve is preferably fastened to the ring in step
(c) by snap-fastening hooks behind bearing surfaces made in the
ring. To partially take the ring out of the container in step (d),
a traction is exerted on the cup of the valve, for example by
suction.
[0026] The invention is described in greater detail below with
reference to the figures which show:
[0027] FIG. 1: a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a
fastening ring according to the invention;
[0028] FIG. 2: an enlarged view (a) of the ring of FIG. 1 and (b)
of a second embodiment of a fastening ring according to the
invention;
[0029] FIG. 3: an exploded view of a dispenser according to a first
embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 4: an exploded view of the valve of the dispenser of
FIG. 3;
[0031] FIG. 5: an exploded view of a dispenser according to a
second embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 6: an exploded cross-sectional view of the valve of the
dispenser of FIG. 5;
[0033] FIG. 7: an exploded perspective view of the valve of FIG.
5;
[0034] FIG. 8: a cross-sectional view of the valve of FIG. 7
mounted on the ring of FIG. 1;
[0035] FIG. 9: the different steps of the filling process of the
dispenser of the first embodiment;
[0036] FIG. 10: the various steps of the method of filling the
dispenser of the second embodiment;
[0037] FIG. 11: a perspective view of the ring of the invention
equipped with a pouch;
[0038] FIG. 12: partial cross-sectional view of the dispenser of
FIG. 3.
[0039] For the sake of clarity of the description, spatial
references are used, such as "inferior" and "superior", "above" and
"below", or "inside the container" and "outside the container". It
should be noted that the ring on the one hand and the valve on the
other hand are manufactured independently of each other and
independently of the container. The protection is directed in
particular to the ring alone. Therefore, the spatial references are
made with respect to the ring and the valve as they are intended to
be used assembled in a pressure distributor whose valve is placed
above the container. This does not prevent the dispenser from being
used in all positions, in particular with the valve under the
container. In addition, the valve, the ring, and the container all
have a certain rotational symmetry about an axis (A) passing
through the stem, the ring and the container. This axis is visible
in FIG. 3. The terms "axial" and "radial" refer to this axis and
mean parallel and perpendicular to this axis respectively.
[0040] The invention relates to a method for pressurizing a
dispenser provided with a valve and an internal pouch. For this
purpose, a special ring has been developed. In the exemplary
embodiments shown in the figures, the valve selected is a high flow
valve. However, the person of the art understands that any type of
valve can be used, in particular metering valves, or even
traditional valves with which filling through the valve could be
envisioned. The dispensers provided with pouches are essentially
made up of a container, a valve, a fastening ring and a pouch
fastened to the fastening ring.
[0041] A fastening ring is generally made up of a central tubular
portion (31), on the external face of which the pouch (4) is
fastened. The transverse cross-section of this central portion is
smaller than the cross-section of the opening (11) of the neck of
the container, so that it can penetrate freely into this opening.
The central portion (31) is surmounted by a flange (32) that widens
away from the axis (A) and whose outer edge has a diameter greater
than the diameter of the opening (11) of the neck of the container
(1). This flange serves essentially to limit the penetration of the
ring into the container. It also serves to ensure sealing between
the cup and the ring on the one hand and between the container and
the ring on the other hand. Between the central portion (31) and
the flange (32), there is a junction portion (33) whose transverse
cross-section is also smaller than the cross-section of the opening
(11) of the neck of the container, so that it can penetrate freely
into the opening. The transverse cross-section of this junction
portion is generally greater than the cross-section of the central
portion (31), although this is not imperative.
[0042] In addition to these main elements, the ring can also be
provided with a tenon for fixing, for example, a dip tube. It can
also be provided with anti-collapse means (34), for example, in the
form of one or more parallel helical elements (341) extending over
part or all of the depth of the pouch. The anti-collapse means can
be an integral part of the ring as in the present example, or they
can be fixed to a tenon, for example, by force-fitting or screwing.
They can also be welded by ultrasound or any other suitable
method.
[0043] Traditionally, filling of a dispenser equipped with a high
flow valve and an internal pouch begins by placing the ring in the
container so that it bears with its flange (32) on the edge (12) of
the opening (11) of the neck of the container. The product to be
packaged is introduced into the pouch via the central channel (35)
that passes through at least the junction portion (33) and the
central portion (31) of the ring. The valve is then introduced into
the central channel (35) until the peripheral edge (231) of the cup
(23) comes into contact with the flange (32) of the ring and the
rolled edge (12) that surrounds (11) the neck of the container. At
this stage, the cup is swaged or crimped on the neck so as to
ensure sealing between the ring and the cup as well as between the
ring and the rolled edge (12).
[0044] When the dispenser is filled, the ring is thus wedged
between the neck of the container (1) and the cup (23). The product
to be packaged is located in the pouch (4) while the propellant gas
is located in the space between the pouch and the wall of the
container (1). In dispensers for viscous products without a pouch,
pressurization takes place before the valve is fastened to the
container. To this end, the cup is held above the neck of the
container so as to form an annular slot between the cup and the
rolled edge of the container. The gas can then be introduced into
the container via this annular slot. In the case of a dispenser
with an inner pouch, holding the cup above the neck of the
container is not sufficient, because the slot thus obtained is
located between the cup (23) and the flange (32) of the ring so
that the gas would penetrate into the pouch and not into the space
between the pouch and the wall of the container. Since the flange
(32) of the ring has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the
cup, it is not accessible when the cup is placed on it. It is
therefore not possible to take hold of the ring to lift it and
create a slot between the ring and the rolled edge (12) of the
container. This is why pressurization of dispensers with high flow
valve and inner pouch can only be done via an opening in the bottom
of the container.
[0045] The method of the invention provides for passing the gas
through passages located between the exterior face of the ring and
the neck of the container before permanently pushing down the ring
and the valve to close the dispenser, then sealingly fastening the
cup to the container.
[0046] For this purpose, the ring (3a, 3b) of the invention is
provided with one or more passages (361) on the exterior face of
its junction portion (33). These passages are limited to the
junction portion, that is to say, they do not extend along or
beyond the flange, nor along the central portion on which the pouch
is fastened. In addition, the passages are dimensioned so that,
when the ring is placed in the opening (11) of a container with its
passages (361) located at the height of the rolled edge (12) of the
opening (11) of the container, the passage or passages extend on
both sides of the edge (12) of the opening (11). This situation is
clearly visible in particular in FIGS. 9vi, 10vi and 10vii. Each of
the passages thus forms a path setting in contact the part of the
exterior face of the ring located outside the container and the
part of the exterior face of the ring located inside the container.
In the example presented here, the passages are in the form of
vertical grooves (361) made on the exterior face of the wall of the
ring. These grooves are formed in a portion of the wall of the
junction portion (33). Their height is so that, when the ring is
placed in the opening of the container with its passages located at
the height of the rolled edge (12), these passages extend above and
below the rolled edge. When the dispenser is ready for use, the
junction portion and the passages are located inside the container,
outside the pouch. They play no role, so that the presence of the
passages (361) in this portion has no effect on the final sealing
of the dispenser. This basic version of the ring according to the
invention is shown in FIG. 2b.
[0047] In a variant embodiment that is not shown, there is only one
passage which extends completely around the ring. For this purpose,
the transverse cross-section of the junction portion, at least over
part of its height, must be so that, when the ring is in the
pressurization position, an annular free space is formed between
the edge of the opening and the wall of the junction portion at
this passage.
[0048] In a variant embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2a,
the ring (3b) is additionally provided with a shoulder (36) located
in the junction portion (33). This shoulder (36) is parallel to the
flange (32) and has a diameter slightly greater than the diameter
of the opening (11) of the container so that the ring can be placed
in an intermediate position, with this shoulder (36) bearing on the
rolled edge (12) of the container. The passages (361) pass through
the shoulder. The passages and the shoulder (36) are dimensioned so
that, when the ring is bearing with its shoulder against the rolled
edge of the opening, the gas can flow freely from the outside of
the container towards the inside by passing through these passages.
In the filled state, the shoulder (36) plays no role, so that the
presence of the passages (361) in this shoulder has no effect on
the final sealing.
[0049] The pouch (4) is fastened, preferably by welding, to the
exterior face of the central portion (31) of the ring. In order to
facilitate this fastening and to ensure its high strength, two
vertical and pointed fins (312) placed opposite one another can be
provided on the exterior surface of the central portion. These fins
give the central portion a radial cross-section (that is to say,
perpendicularly to the axis (A)) in the shape of a boat. It should
be understood by that that the radial cross-section is
substantially in the shape of a diamond, whose angles at the ends
of the small diagonal are obtuse and rounded, while the angles at
the ends of the great diagonal are acute and pointed. The
boat-shaped cross-section is smaller than the transverse
cross-section of the opening of the container, and generally
smaller than the cross-section of the junction portion, which in
turn has generally a round cross-section.
[0050] Two methods are possible for pressurizing the dispensers
provided with a ring according to the invention.
[0051] In a first embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a fastening ring (3b)
provided with a shoulder (36) as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2a is used.
The filling steps are as follows: [0052] Step (a) The ring (3b) of
the invention is placed in the container (1). This ring is equipped
with a pouch (4) which can be wound around the axis (A) and held in
this position by a self-adhesive strip that can easily be broken.
This step is schematically represented in FIG. 9(i). The ring is
not fully pushed down into the container, but only placed in an
intermediate position with its shoulder (36) against the rolled
edge (12) of the container. The pouch is located inside the
container. [0053] Step (b) The filling head is then introduced into
the central channel (35) and the product to be packaged is poured
into the pouch which unrolls as the filling proceeds. The filling
head is designed in such a way that it bears against the inner wall
of the central channel (35), ensuring sealing from the outside.
This step is represented schematically in FIG. 9 (ii). At the end
of the filling, the filling head is moved out of the way. [0054]
Step (c) The valve (2a, 2b) is then placed in the upper part of the
central channel (35) of the ring so that the peripheral edge (231)
of the cup bears against the flange (32) of the ring. This step is
shown in FIG. 9(iii). [0055] Step (d) In this first embodiment, the
ring (3b) rests on the rolled edge of the neck of the container,
bearing on its shoulder (36). It is therefore not necessary to move
it. The pressurization can be carried out directly after step (c)
during the step (e). [0056] Step (e) Pressurization can begin. The
cup is forcibly held in abutment against the flange so that a
sealed junction is formed between the two parts. To do this, one
must be careful not to press the ring too hard, as this may cause
it to be pushed down into the container beyond its shoulder. To
increase the sealing between the cup and the flange (32) of the
ring, a sealing ring can be placed in the bottom of the peripheral
edge of the cup. However, since the ring is generally made of a
sufficiently flexible plastic material, it can perform this
function by itself. The gas penetrates into the container by
passing through the passages (361). It is then located in the space
between the pouch and the wall of the container. Under the effect
of the gas pressure, the ring is pushed against the cup, thus
increasing the sealing between the ring and the cup. Since the
sealing between the flange (32) and the peripheral edge of the cup
is ensured by forcibly maintaining the cup in place on the flange,
the gas cannot penetrate into the pouch. This step is shown in FIG.
9(iv), an enlargement of the passage of the gas being shown in FIG.
9(vi). [0057] Step (f) Once the pressurization is complete,
pressure is exerted on the cup to force the ring to penetrate
completely into the container in spite of the retaining effect of
its shoulder (36). When the shoulder (36) has passed inside the
container, the valve, and with it the ring pushed by the cup of the
valve, continue to go down within the container until the flange
(32) of the ring and the peripheral edge (231) of the cup come to
bear against the rolled edge (12) of the container. The ring is
then in the lower position as shown in FIG. 9(v). [0058] Step (g)
At this stage of the filling, it is possible to fasten the cup
definitively on the container. This fastening can be done in
different ways depending on the materials used. If the cup is
metallic, it can be swaged on the container. In this case, the wall
of the peripheral edge of the cup is pushed outwards towards the
lower edge of the rolled edge (12) so that the wall comes to match
the shape of the rolled edge while sealingly wedging the flange
(32) between them. It would also be possible to crimp it rather
than swaging it. If the cup and container are made of plastic, they
can be welded together. Due to the seal that results from the
swaging or crimping, between the ring and the cup as well as
between the ring and the rolled edge (12), the inner channel (35)
of the ring and the contents of the pouch are insulated from the
outside, not only at the valve, but also at the seal formed by the
contact between the flange and the peripheral edge (231) of the
cup. Likewise, the space located between the container and the
pouch is isolated from the outside by the seal formed by the flange
(32) and the rolled edge (12) of the container.
[0059] A second way of proceeding is shown in FIG. 10. For this
second method of operation, a ring with or without shoulder (36)
can be used. Although FIG. 10 shows the method with the example of
the flange (3b) having a shoulder, the person of the art
understands that the latter does not play any role and that the
method can therefore be carried out with a basic ring (3a). This
second method makes it possible to use the filling machines in
which the cup is lifted in order to pass the gas between the cup
and the rolled edge. For this embodiment, it is necessary to use a
particular valve. Whereas for the first embodiment, a conventional
valve, for example, a conventional high flow valve consisting of a
stem (21), a PU valve seal (22) and a cup (23), as is shown in FIG.
4, is sufficient, for the second embodiment, it is necessary to
provide, on the valve, means for fastening it to the ring. In the
example shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the fastening means are constituted
by an end-piece (24) fixed to the lower end of the stem (21) of the
valve. The end-piece is provided on its upper part with a
connecting ring (241) and on its lower part with one or more hooks
(242). The lower end of the stem (21) is provided with a tenon
(211) intended to penetrate into the opening of the connecting ring
(241) so as to center the two parts before welding them together.
It is immediately understood that other fixing methods can be
envisioned and that it would be possible to dispense with the
centering tenon (211). Here also, it would be possible to use any
type of valve, such as a metering valve or a conventional valve
with which filling through the valve could be envisioned.
[0060] The process of the second embodiment proceeds as follows.
[0061] Step (a) The ring (3a, 3b) is placed in the container (1).
This ring is equipped with a pouch (4) which can be wound around
the axis (A) and held in this position by a self-adhesive strip
that can easily be broken. The ring is fully inserted into the
container (1) in the lower position, that is to say, until the
flange (32) bears against the rolled edge (12) of the container and
the pouch is located in the container. The shoulder (36), when
there is one, is thus inside the container. This step is visible in
FIG. 10(i). [0062] Step (b) The product to be packaged is then
poured into the pouch via the central channel (35) of the ring.
Here too, the filling head of the machine is introduced into the
upper part of the central channel (35) so as to ensure a sealed
junction with the wall of the central channel. This step is shown
in FIG. 10(ii). [0063] Step (c) After filling, the filling head is
moved out of the way. The valve is then put in place as shown
schematically in FIG. 10(iii). For this purpose, the stem (21)
provided with the end-piece (24) is introduced into the central
channel (35) of the ring until the peripheral edge (231) of the cup
comes to abut against the flange (32) of the ring and the rolled
edge (12) of the container. The hooks (242) of the end-piece are
dimensioned so that, in this position, they come to hook behind
bearing surfaces made in the ring. In the present case, these
bearing surfaces are formed by the lower edge (311) of the central
portion (31) of the ring (3a, 3b). This position is clearly visible
in FIGS. 8 and 10(iii). After the hooks are snapped onto the ring,
the valve and the ring are formed as a single piece, and they
cannot move relative to each other, at least in the axial direction
of the ring. [0064] Step (d) It is then possible to lift the valve
as in conventional processes. However, the valve being fastened to
the ring via the hooks (242), the upward movement of the valve
causes the same displacement of the ring and the filled pouch. In
general, lifting the valve is performed by pulling on the cup (23).
When the ring (3b) is provided with a shoulder (36), it is
sufficient to lift the ring until the shoulder is located in the
proximity of the rolled edge (12) of the opening of the container.
It is not necessary that the shoulder comes back out of the
container. Thus, it is not necessary to exert a strong traction.
This is clearly visible on the right of FIG. 10(vi). When the ring
(3a) has no shoulder, the ring is lifted until the passages (361)
are at the height of the rolled edge (12) of the container while
extending on both sides of this rolled edge. This is clearly
visible on the right side of FIG. 10(vii). [0065] Step (e) Once the
ring (3a, 3b) is in the intermediate position, it is possible to
introduce the gas under pressure through the passages (361) as
shown in FIGS. 10(iv) and 10(vi) for the ring (3b) with shoulder
10, or 10(vii) for the ring (3a) without shoulder. Under the effect
of the gas pressure, the ring is pressed against the cup and thus
ensures sealing between the ring and the cup. Since the junction
between the flange (32) of the ring and the peripheral edge (231)
of the cup is sealed, the gas cannot enter into the pouch, and the
product to be packaged cannot come out of the pouch. [0066] Step
(f) When the pressurization is completed, the valve along with the
ring and the pouch are again pushed down until the peripheral edge
(231) of the cup and the flange (32) are in contact with the rolled
edge the container. The ring is thus again in the lower position as
shown in FIG. 10(v). [0067] Step (g) At this stage of the process,
it is possible to fasten the cup to the container. As in the first
method, this fastening can be done for example by swaging the cup
on the rolled edge or by crimping it. If the cup and the container
are made of plastic, it is also possible to weld them together.
[0068] Although the figures show dispensers equipped with a high
flow valve, it is immediately understood that it would be possible
to use other types of valves, such as, for example, metering
valves, with which the feasibility of filling the pouch via the
valve cannot be envisioned, or even normal valves, with which
filling through the valve would be feasible.
LIST OF REFERENCES
[0069] 1 Container [0070] 11 Opening of the container [0071] 12
Rolled edge surrounding the opening [0072] 2a/b High flow valve
[0073] 21 Stem [0074] 211 Connecting tenon [0075] 22 PU valve seal
[0076] 23 Cup [0077] 231 Peripheral edge of the cup [0078] 24
Valve/ring fastening end-piece [0079] 241 Connecting ring [0080]
242 Hooks [0081] 3a/b Fastening ring [0082] 31 Central portion
[0083] 311 Lower edge of the central portion [0084] 312 Fins [0085]
32 Flange [0086] 33 Junction portion [0087] 34 Anti-collapse means
[0088] 341 Helical elements [0089] 35 Central channel [0090] 36
Shoulder [0091] 361 Passages for the gas [0092] 4 Pouch
* * * * *