Valve For The Distribution Under Pressure Of A Liquid Or Paste Product

Abstract

A valve for mounting in a receptacle for the distribution under pressure of a liquid or paste product contained in the receptacle. The valve includes a tubular body connected to a plunger tube intended to dip into the product in the receptacle, a plunger moveable within the tubular body to permit discharge of product under pressure through the valve outlet, and a sealed chamber formed around the tubular body and intended to contain liquefied propellant. The wall of the chamber has a flap valve which permits escape of vaporized propellant from the chamber to the interior of the receptacle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to valves of the type known in the perfumery and cosmetic industries for the distribution under pressure of a liquid product. The invention applies improvements to these valves which considerably extend the possibilities for their utilisation.

The majority of the valves of the above type distributed through the industry are applied to control the emission in the form of an aerosol, or more or less in the form of very minute droplets of a liquid product (such as eau de cologne, toilet water, perfume, skin softening preparations, etc.). This product is contained in a receptacle, onto which the valve is crimped, in a mixture with a propellant which is often a liquefied gas such as butane or one of the gases known under such names as freon, etc. A satisfactory atomization is only obtained when the product and the propelling agent are mutually compatible and, further, are miscible one with the other in the utilization conditions in order to form a stable homogenous mixture.

Now, it is not always possible, or even desirable, to mix a propelling agent with the product to be atomized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal object of the invention is to improve a valve of the known type defined above in order to be able to make use of them likewise for the ejection under pressure of a product not mixed with a liquid propelling agent, the propellant being shut off, within the receptacle, in a separate capacity. The valves so improved have greater possibilities for application in perfumery, in cosmetics, with drugs, etc.

Another object of the invention is to improve a valve of the known type simply by the addition of the smallest possible number of parts which can be made economically on a quantity production basis.

A supplementary object of the invention is to attain a valve of the known type improved by the addition of parts which can be easily withdrawn so that the valve is reverted quickly to its original state to serve for its first use if so desired.

According to the invention, in a valve for mounting in a receptacle for the distribution under pressure of a liquid or paste product contained in the receptacle comprising a capsule, a body, and a plunger tube, the improvement comprises a wall extending around a part at least of said body, an outer surface of said body defining with said wall an enclosed chamber intended to contain a liquified fluid propellant, a sealed joint connecting said wall to an upper part of said body, and flap valve means provided on said wall which is openable to permit propellant to pass from the enclosed chamber to the interior of said receptacle.

There will now be given, purely by way of example, in order that the invention may be better understood, a description of several embodiments which will further make it possible better to understand the aims and advantages of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a part view in section of a receptacle taken on a plane passing through the axis of the receptacle fitted with one form of valve improved in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a similar part view to the above of a receptacle equipped with another form of valve in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 3 to 6 are enlarged detail views of four examples of a flap element forming part of an improved valve according to the invention;

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are part section views of three other examples of valves improved according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, the essential parts of a valve will first be described as they are generally known, under the common designation 1. This valve 1 is incorporated in a capsule 2 crimped onto a receptacle 3. The valve 1 comprises generally tubular body 4, and a plunger tube 5 pressed into the lower part of the body 4 and extending to the bottom of the receptacle 3.

In the body 4 of the valve there is fitted a plunger 6 loaded upwards by a spring 7. In the upper part of the plunger 6, there is formed a longitudinal channel 8 which communicates with a radial hole 9. In the idle state shown in FIG. 1, the hole 9 is blocked by a rubber seal 10 located at the bottom of the capsule 2 and gripping flexibly around the plunger 6. The parts of the valve 1 so far described are known. Hitherto, when the plunger 6 was pushed down with the aid of a pushrod, not shown in FIG. 1, the product contained in the receptacle 3 e.g. perfume plus a propellant, is displaced by the pressure which prevails in the receptacle, rises up through the tube 5, passes through the tubular body 4, and passes through the radial hole 9 into the duct 8 from which it is discharged.

However, in accordance with the invention, a wall 11 extends around the greater part of the body 4 and defines an enclosed volume 12 about the body 4. In this example, this wall is comprised by a tubular part making a sealed joint with the upper part of the body 4 by virtue of an external annular flange 13 passed into the capsule 2 and trapped between capsule 2 and the upper edge of the receptacle 3. In this way the flange 13 is joined in a manner forming a seal to the upper part of the body, by virtue of the capsule 2 and the usual joints.

In the same way, the wall 11 makes a sealing joint with the lower part of the body 4 or, more precisely, with the plunger tube 5 which can be integral with the body 4. For this purpose, the wall 11 is provided with a base 14 pierced by an aperture through which the tube 5 is passed with an interference which is adequate to make this a sealed assembly.

It will be appreciated that the plunger tube 5 is an extension of the body 4 and that the wall 11 can also extend in part around the tube 5 as can be seen in the FIG. 1. It is easily appreciated that the wall 11 can be produced in the form of a tubular part having an outer flange 13 and a pierced base 14, moulded as one piece in a plastics material.

The wall 11 is provided with a flap valve arrangement, identified with the general reference 15, which is displaceable outwardly relative to the wall 11 in order to bring the enclosed volume 12 into communication with the interior of the receptacle 3.

In the case shown in FIG. 1, the flap valve arrangement 15 includes a transfer passage 16 pierced through the wall 11 and a ring 17 in an elastic material, such as rubber for example, fitted around the tubular wall 11 on a level with the hole 16.

The ring 17 has at its upper end an external annular flange 18 which is passed into the capsule 2. This flange 18 rests directly on the upper edge of the receptacle 3. It supports in its turn the flange 13 of the tubular wall 11 on which is laid a rubber sealing joint.

The wall 11 is intended to contain in the enclosed volume 12 a propelling agent constituted by the liquid phase of a suitable liquified gas. This liquefied gas becomes partially vaporized and its vapor displaces outwardly the ring 17 of the flap valve 15. Passing through the hole 16, the vapor expands within the receptacle 3 until the pressures are balanced. When the plunger 6 is depressed, the product contained in the receptacle 3 is set in motion by the pressure; at the same time a fresh vaporization of liquid occurs in the volume 12 which passes through the flap valve 15.

Thus the product is propelled by the propulsive agent through tube 5, body 4, hole 9, and channel 8, but it is not in contact with the liquid phase of the propellant. As the propelling agent is in fact kept in the liquid state inside the wall 11, it only occupies a small volume; and it is vaporized as it is needed.

With this arrangement it is not necessary that the liquid propellant and the product should be two substances capable of forming a stable homogenous mixture. It is only necessary that the gaseous phase of the propellant does not readily dissolve in the product, as in this case all the liquid phase would vaporized rapidly at the speed of the solution of the gaseous phase in the product.

One important advantage produced by the invention will be noticed. The known part of the valve 1 as described above can be used for the discharge under pressure of an homogenous mixture of product and liquified propellant. It sufficies to bring in just at the time of use, the tubular part 11 provided with the flap valve arrangement 15 for the improved valve 1 to be able to serve for the projection of a product which always remains separated from the liquid phase of the propellant. No change is made so far as the receptacle 3 is concerned. Further, no alteration is made to the known part of the valve 1, so that if the tubular part 11 and valve arrangement 15 are removed, it can again serve for its initial use.

In the case of FIG. 1, after having filled the receptacle 3 to the desired level with the product to be sprayed-out, a suitable amount of a liquified propellant is poured into the enclosed chamber (volume 12) formed by tubular part 11 which has already been equipped with the plunger tube 5. The assembly of the improved valve is completed and the capsule 2 is crimped onto the receptacle 3.

FIG. 2 shows another example of a valve 1A, improved in accordance with the invention, which is of the type filled under pressure. The component parts which are identical to, or similar to those of the valve 1 are identified by the same references.

In the body 4, at a distance L from the extreme lower face of the plunger piston 6 there is a transfer orifice 19 which can be blocked by the piston 6. Further, the rubber joint which rests in the capsule 2 on the annular flange 13 is furnished with a skirt 20 which surrounds the upper part of the body 4. Beneath this skirt 20 there is drilled a lateral opening 21; in fact, the skirt 20 in association with the opening 21 plays the part of a flap valve which can open and so give access to the interior of the tubular part 11.

After having filled the receptacle 3 and fitted and crimped the valve 1A on this latter, it is possible to proceed with filling the tubular part 11 with liquified gas. To do this, the piston 6 is pushed down for a length L, when it blocks the aperture 19, and the liquid phase of the propellant is injected under pressure into the duct 8. This has the effect of lifting the skirt 20 so that liquid propellant passes into the tubular part 11. After this filling operation, the pressure which prevails in the chamber 12 throughout the life of the receptacle 3 keeps the skirt 20 pressed against the aperture 21 and prevents any escape of the propellant, as well as any introduction into chamber 12 of the product which rises through the tube 5 and the body 4 during each distribution of the product.

In the FIG. 2, the upper part of the piston 6 carries an actuating push-rod 22. The stroke of this latter in relation to the capsule 2 is fixed at a value l less than L in such a way that in normal use the piston 6 cannot block the orifice 19.

It will be noted that here also the valve 1A is of a classic type known as a pressure charging metering valve to which the improvements in accordance with the invention add new possibilities for application, by the simple addition, as before, of a tubular part 11 furnished with a flap valve arrangement 15, the whole being suitable for introduction through the opening of a receptacle 3.

The FIGS. 7, 8, 9 show variations of the embodiment of the tubular part 11 and of the means for its fitting on the body of a valve.

In all three cases the tubular part which surrounds the body 4 of the valve is closed by a base 14. In the FIGS. 7 and 8 there is, starting from this base, an internal sleeve 30 having a duct 31 passing through it from end to end.

In the FIG. 7 the free end of the sleeve 30 has a reduced diameter so that it adapts itself exactly in the lower aperture of the body 4.

In the FIG. 8 of the free end of the sleeve 30 has an enlarged bore in order that the lower part of the body 4 can fit exactly into the sleeve.

In the two FIGS. 7 and 8 the plunger tube 5 is introduced into the duct 31, which is slightly expanded at its lower end.

In the FIG. 9 the sleeve 30 has a considerably reduced height; it constitutes rather a reinforcement of the base 14. This reinforcement of the base has an opening passing through it in such a way that the lower part of the body 4 fits exactly therein and protrudes beyond the tubular part 11. The plunger tube 5 is then pushed into the body 4.

The examples of the FIGS. 7, 8, 9 contribute supplementary advantages.

In the FIGS. 1 and 2 the plunger tube 5 passes completely through the base 14. This tube often has an irregular outer surface, carrying longitudinal striations caused during its extrusion. The striations can be a cause of escape of the liquid phase of the propellant contained in the tubular part 11.

Further, the plunger tube 5 passes through the base 14 and is fitted into the lower part of the body 4. This double assembly of the tube is far from easy to achieve on an automatic assembly machine; a single assembly is preferable for an assembly machine.

In the FIGS. 7, 8, 9 the part 11 is assembled with the body 4 and the plunger 5 is assembled either with the part 11 (FIGS. 7 and 8) or with the body 4 (FIG. 9). The double assembly is eliminated and replaced by a single assembly.

By virtue of the invention, valves which up to the present could only serve for the distribution of liquid products miscible with a liquified propellant can be rapdily modified to serve for the distribution of products which cannot be mixed with a liquid propellant. This product can be a liquid, a foam, a paste, etc.

Variations in the form of the flap valve arrangement 15 are shown in FIGS. 3 to 6.

In the FIG. 3, the rubber ring 17 has in front of the hole 16 a protrusion 23 of hemispherical shape which seats perfectly on the edges of this hole.

In the FIG. 4, a circular groove 24 is cut in the wall 11; and the hole 16 is pierced through to the bottom of the groove 24. The ring 17 has an internal bulge 25 suitable to come into contact with the edges of the groove 24.

In the FIG. 5, a metal collar 26 is fitted on the outer face of the wall 11. This collar 26 is equipped with a flexible bar 27 which extends longitudinally in front of the hole 16, where its free end is equipped with a protruberance 28 acting as an obturator for the hole 16.

In the FIG. 6, the hole 16 pierced in the wall 11 is surrounded externally by a raised conical zone 29 which is terminated by a very narrow annular face. The lower flexible part of a rubber ring 17 combines with that annular face to play the part of a flap valve.

As has been shown in describing several embodiments of the invention, it is apparent that this may be in the form of several differing variants. It should thus be understood that the invention is not limited to the examples quoted above, but that it embraces all the modifications or equivalents which do not depart from its framework or from its spirit.

Claims

I claim:

1. A valve system for the distribution under pressure of a product contained in a receptacle, composed of

a valve comprising: a capsule arranged to be fastened onto the receptacle; a body arranged to be set into the receptacle and having an upper part housed in the capsule; and a plunger tube extending with a lower end thereof to the bottom of the receptacle and serving for the removal of the product, said valve being of a type which distributes a product having a propellant mixed therewith,

said system being further composed of an adapter member detachably associated with said valve and comprising: means arranged to be supported by the receptacle and including a wall surrounding said body and partly defining with said body an elongated chamber for containing a propellant therein, said means having an upper portion including a flange which is dimensioned to be slidable into the interior of said capsule, and a lower portion formed as a sleeve forming a removably slidable sleeve forming a seal with respect to said valve, said wall having an orifice formed therein; and a flap valve mounted to cooperate with said orifice, said flap valve opening in the direction from the interior of said chamber towardS the interior of said receptacle, the association of said adapter means with said valve resulting in a system for distributing a product contained in such receptacle under the action of a propellant maintained separate from said product and within said chamber.

2. A valve system as defined in claim 1, wherein said wall comprises a tubular part introduced into said capsule and resting on the upper edge of said receptacle, said chamber being defined by at least a part of the outer surface of said body and by said tubular part, and said tubular part including an outer annular flange at the upper end thereof, a base at the lower end of said tubular part, means defining an aperture in said base through which said plunger tube extends in a sealtight manner, and said flap valve being partly supported by said flange.

3. A valve system as defined in claim 1, in which said body is of the pressure-filling type, and including means defining a lateral orifice in said body, a further flap valve mounted to co-operate with said lateral orifice to permit communication between said chamber and the interior of said body, a plunger piston moveable within said body to a position in which it blocks communication between said plunger tube and said body, and an actuator mounted on said piston above said capsule, the actuating stroke of said actuator for enabling discharge of product from the valve being less than the stroke of said piston to block communication between said plunger tube and the body.

4. A valve system as defined in claim 1, in which said flap valve includes a bushing fitted on the outer surface of said wall, a flexible rod extending longitudinally from said bushing and including a free end, and an obturator on the free end of said rod for engaging with said orifice.

5. A valve system as defined in claim 1, in which said valve includes a protruding conical portion terminating in a narrow annular surface provided on said wall said conical portion surrounding said orifice.

6. A valve system as defined in claim 1, including a base closing the lower end of said wall and means defining an opening in said base said body passing through said opening in a sealing manner.

7. A valve system as defined in claim 1, including a base closing the lower part of said wall, said sleeve extending from said base into said chamber, the free upper end of said sleeve being fitted to said body, and means defining a duct in said sleeve as an extension of a lower orifice of said valve, the plunger tube being fitted into a lower part of said duct.

8. A valve system as defined in claim 1 in which the plunger tube is inserted at its upper end into the lower part of said body and in which said sliding sleeve forms a base portion of said chamber while forming a sealed joint with said body of said valve.

9. A valve system as defined in claim 1 in which said chamber extends below a lower part of said body and is provided with a tubular projection which extends interiorly from the lower portion of said means into a free extermity, said tubular projection being arranged to receive an upper end of said plunger tube at its extremity which is joined to said lower portion of said means and being arranged to form a sealed joint with the lower part of said body by its free interior extremity.

10. A valve system as defined in claim 1, wherein said valve further comprises a tubular member connected to the lower end of said body, and wherein said removably slidable sleeve is connected with said tubular member to form said seal.

11. A valve system as defined in claim 10 in which the tubular member is comprised by said plunger tube.

12. A valve system as defined in claim 1, in which said flap valve comprises means defining an orifice in said wall and a ring of flexible material applied around said wall to cover said orifice.

13. A valve system as defined in claim 12, including an outer annular flange extending from an upper end of said ring, said flange being introduced into said capsule and being located between the upper edge of the said receptacle and an upper flange portion of said wall.

14. A valve system as defined in claim 1 in which said flap valve is rubber and includes a flange portion and a skirt portion extending therefrom, said skirt portion surrounding said body and covering said orifice.

15. A valve system as defined in claim 14, in which said flange portion of said flap valve has a protrusion which bears against the edges of said orifice.

16. A valve system as defined in claim 14, in which said valve includes means defining a circular groove in the outer face of said wall with said orifice extending into said groove from the inner face of said wall, and an inwardly directed protrusion on said flange portion of said flap valve which engages in said groove.

17. A valve system as defined in claim 14 in which said flange portion of said flap valve is arranged to be slidable into said capsule and supportingly mounted between said flange of said upper portion of said means and said receptacle after crimping of said capsule on said receptacle.

18. A valve system for the distribution under pressure of a product contained in a receptacle, the valve including a capsule arranged to be fastened onto the receptacle, a body arranged to be set into the receptacle and having an upper part housed in the capsule, and a plunger tube extending with a lower end thereof to the bottom of the receptacle and serving for the removal of the product, wherein the improvement comprises: means arranged to be supported by the receptacle and including a wall surrounding said body and partly defining with said body an elongated chamber for containing a propellant therein, said means having an upper portion including a flange which is dimensioned to be slidable into the interior of said capsule, and a lower portion formed as a sleeve forming a seal, and slidable, with respect to said valve, said wall including an orifice formed therein, and a flap valve arranged to be supported by said receptacle and cooperating with said orifice, said flap valve opening in the direction from the interior of said chamber towards the interior of said receptacle, wherein said sliding sleeve forms a sealed joint with said valve connecting said wall to a lower part of said body.

19. A valve system for the distribution under pressure of a product contained in a receptacle, the valve including a capsule arranged to be fastened onto the receptacle, a body arranged to be set into the receptacle and having an upper part housed in the capsule, and a plunger tube extending with a lower end thereof to the bottom of the receptacle and serving for the removal of the product, wherein the improvement comprises: means arranged to be supported by the receptacle and including a wall surrounding said body and partly defining with said body an elongated chamber for containing a propellant therein, said means having an upper portion including a flange which is dimensioned to be slidable into the interior of said capsule, and a lower portion formed as a sleeve forming a seal, and slidable, with respect to said valve, said wall including an orifice formed therein, and a flap valve arranged to be supported by said receptacle and cooperating with said orifice, said flap valve opening in the direction from the interior of said chamber towards the interior of said receptacle, wherein said flange is firmly sleeved on said wall at one end of said chamber and wherein said sliding sleeve forms a base portion at the other end of said chamber, means defining an aperture in said base portion through which said plunger tube extends in a seal-tight manner into position between the base of said receptacle and the lower end of said body, and said flap valve being partially supported by said flange.

20. A valve system for the distribution under pressure of a product contained in a receptacle, the valve including a capsule arranged to be fastened onto the receptacle, a body arranged to be set into the receptacle and having an upper part housed in the capsule, and a plunger tube extending with a lower end thereof to the bottom of the receptacle and serving for the removal of the product, wherein the improvement comprises: means arranged to be supported by the receptacle and including a wall surrounding said body and partly defining with said body an elongated chamber for containing a propellant therein, said means having an upper portion including a flange which is dimensioned to be slidable into the interior of said capsule, and a lower portion formed as a sleeve forming a seal, and slidable, with respect to said valve, said wall including an orifice formed therein, and a flap valve arranged to be supported by said receptacle and cooperating with said orifice, said flap valve opening in the direction from the interior of said chamber towards the interior of said receptacle, wherein the plunger tube is inserted at its upper end into the lower part of said body and wherein said sliding sleeve forms a base portion of said chamber while forming a sealed joint with said plunger tube of said valve.