EP2459466B1 - Valve for dispensing a fluid product - Google Patents

Valve for dispensing a fluid product Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2459466B1
EP2459466B1 EP10752862.2A EP10752862A EP2459466B1 EP 2459466 B1 EP2459466 B1 EP 2459466B1 EP 10752862 A EP10752862 A EP 10752862A EP 2459466 B1 EP2459466 B1 EP 2459466B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
valve
metering chamber
valve member
gasket
neck
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP10752862.2A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2459466A1 (en
Inventor
Christophe Jacuk
Yvan Milian
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Aptar France SAS
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Aptar France SAS
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Publication of EP2459466A1 publication Critical patent/EP2459466A1/en
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Publication of EP2459466B1 publication Critical patent/EP2459466B1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
    • B65D83/44—Valves specially adapted therefor; Regulating devices
    • B65D83/52—Valves specially adapted therefor; Regulating devices for metering
    • B65D83/54—Metering valves ; Metering valve assemblies
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/53—Means to assemble or disassemble
    • Y10T29/53313—Means to interrelatedly feed plural work parts from plural sources without manual intervention
    • Y10T29/53322—Means to assemble container
    • Y10T29/53335—Pressurized dispensing container

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fluid dispenser valve, and a fluid dispenser device comprising such a valve.
  • Fluid dispensing valves especially dosing valves for dispensing pharmaceutical products in the form of aerosol sprays are well known. They generally comprise a cylindrical valve body defining a metering chamber between two seals, a high seal and a low seal, a valve sliding in a sealed manner in said metering chamber between a rest position and a dispensing position.
  • the valve body is fixed, in particular snapped or crimped into a capsule, said capsule being adapted to then be crimped onto the neck of a container containing the product to be dispensed.
  • a neck seal is interposed between the neck of the container and the capsule to seal at this level.
  • the number of consecutive parts is important, which increases the complexity of manufacture and assembly and therefore the cost of the valve.
  • the assembly of the different valve seals is relatively complicated.
  • the spring of the valve generally metallic, is embedded in the fluid, which depending on the nature of the product may have undesirable effects on said product.
  • the valve bodies generally extend inwardly of the tank on which they are assembled, thus creating a dead volume, particularly for valves used in inverted positions. This dead volume must generally be limited by adding a so-called can end ring, assembled around said valve body. This is yet another piece to manufacture and assemble.
  • the valves are generally formed of two parts assembled into one another, which further complicates the manufacture and assembly of the valve.
  • the document WO 01/66439 discloses a two-piece valve body with a seal interposed between said valve body parts.
  • the documents EP2028132 , EP-1336 822 , FR-2,850,165 , WO 01/79079 and US-3,128,924 describe other devices of the state of the art.
  • the present invention aims to provide a simplified valve that does not reproduce the aforementioned drawbacks.
  • the present invention aims to provide a fluid dispenser valve, having fewer component parts and fewer assembly steps.
  • the present invention also aims to provide a fluid dispenser valve that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.
  • the present invention therefore relates to a fluid dispensing valve intended to be mounted on a neck of a reservoir containing fluid, said valve comprising a valve body forming a metering chamber and a movable valve in said chamber. dosing between a resting position and a dispensing position, said dosing chamber having a high seal and a low seal cooperating sealingly with said valve, said valve having a neck seal cooperating sealingly with said valve body and said container neck, said valve body being made in one piece, said neck seal and said bottom seal being overmolded on the one-piece valve body.
  • Said bottom seal forms a lip extending radially inwardly and axially towards the reservoir, and sealingly cooperating with the valve in resting and dispensing positions.
  • said valve is made of a single piece.
  • said neck gasket and said gasket are formed in the same material, in particular an elastomeric thermoplastic.
  • said neck seal and said bottom seal form a single piece.
  • said top seal is also overmoulded on said valve body.
  • said valve is movable in said valve between a rest position, in which the metering chamber is sealed from the tank and the atmosphere and a dispensing position, in which the metering chamber is sealed of the reservoir and connected to the atmosphere via the valve, said valve having a filling position between said resting and dispensing positions, wherein said metering chamber is isolated from the atmosphere and connected to said reservoir, for filling the the dosing chamber.
  • said valve comprises a filling passage connecting said metering chamber to said reservoir in the filling position.
  • the valve is biased towards its rest position by a spring isolated from the fluid in all positions.
  • said valve comprises a central axial channel connected on one side to an outlet orifice and on the other side to a radial channel which opens into the metering chamber in dispensing position, said valve comprising an outer radial shoulder, said spring being disposed around the valve and cooperating with said radial shoulder to bias the valve towards its rest position, said spring being disposed around said radial channel in the rest position.
  • the present invention also relates to a fluid dispenser device comprising a reservoir containing fluid and having a valve as described above.
  • said valve is assembled on the neck of the reservoir by a fixing cap provided with an axial extension defining the opening for passage of the valve, said axial extension receiving the spring of the valve.
  • said valve body is fixed, in particular snapped, inside the fixing cap.
  • the present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a device as described above, comprising the step of overmolding the bottom seal and the neck seal on the one-piece valve body.
  • said seals are formed from the same thermoplastic elastomer material and overmolded in the same overmolding step.
  • the method further comprises the steps of assembling the valve and the spring in the capsule and then fixing, in particular by snapping, the valve body in said capsule.
  • said top seal is pre-assembled on said valve for assembly.
  • said top seal is pre-assembled on said valve body for assembly.
  • the present invention relates in particular to a metering valve type valve for dispensing aerosol form of a medicinal fluid product, by means of a propellant gas.
  • a metering valve type valve for dispensing aerosol form of a medicinal fluid product, by means of a propellant gas.
  • the present invention can also be applied to valves of another type or used in different fields, such as perfumery or cosmetics.
  • the valve shown on the figure 1 comprises a valve body 10 forming a metering chamber 15.
  • a valve 20 is slidably mounted in the metering chamber 15 between a rest position, shown in FIG. figure 1 , and a dispensing position, in which the valve is pressed axially towards the inside of the valve.
  • the valve 20 is urged toward its rest position by a spring 60, which compresses when a user actuates the valve and urges the valve axially within the valve.
  • the compressed spring 60 returns the valve 20 from its dispensing position to its rest position.
  • the valve comprises a central axial channel 21 opening on one side on an axial outlet 25 and on the other side on a radial channel 22 which opens into the metering chamber 15 when the valve 20 is in the dispensing position.
  • the metering chamber 15 has a high seal 30 and a bottom seal 40 (the terms “up” and “down” referring to the upright position of the valve shown in the figure) and the valve 20 slides tightly against these two up and down joints 30, 40.
  • the valve body 10 is assembled on a reservoir 1, in particular on the neck 2 of this reservoir 1, by means of a fixing member 100, which is advantageously a crimping capsule as shown in the figure.
  • a fixing member 100 which is advantageously a crimping capsule as shown in the figure.
  • the fixing member could be of a different type, for example screwed, snap-fastenable or similar.
  • a neck seal 50 is interposed between the valve body 10 and the fixing member 100, which will be hereinafter called the attachment cap for the sake of simplicity of description, said neck seal 50 being intended to seal between the valve body 10 and the neck 2 of the tank 1.
  • the neck seal 50 and the bottom seal 40 of the metering chamber are overmolded onto said valve body 10.
  • these seals are formed of the same material.
  • the seal or seals are advantageously made of olefinic-based elastomeric thermoplastic material (TPE), for example PP / SBC (mixture of polypropylene and styrene block copolymer), POE (ethylene octene), PEB (ethylene butene), EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), PP / EPDM (blend of polypropylene and ethylene propylene diene monomer).
  • TPE olefinic-based elastomeric thermoplastic material
  • SBC mixture of polypropylene and styrene block copolymer
  • POE ethylene octene
  • PEB ethylene butene
  • EVA ethylene vinyl acetate
  • PP / EPDM blend of polypropylene and ethylene propylene diene monomer
  • the valve body is made of polyolefin, which promotes the overmolding of olefinic-based TPE seals, because of the chemical affinity of these materials.
  • the molding of the polyolefin valve body and the overmolding of olefinically based TPE seals could be carried out in the same mold.
  • Other possible materials for the valve body include polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and alloys of all these materials.
  • seal (s) include thermoplastic alloys (NBR / PP, butyl / PP, halobutyl / PP, HNBR / PE), thermoplastic elastomers prepared by dynamic vulcanization, thermoplastic polyamide elastomers (PEBA, PEA, PEEA , PCEA), thermoplastic polyether ester elastomers, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPU), styrene block copolymers (SBS, SIS, SEBS, SEPS, SEEPS, SIBS), and mixtures of all these materials.
  • thermoplastic alloys NBR / PP, butyl / PP, halobutyl / PP, HNBR / PE
  • thermoplastic elastomers prepared by dynamic vulcanization thermoplastic polyamide elastomers (PEBA, PEA, PEEA , PCEA), thermoplastic polyether ester elastomers, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPU),
  • the neck seal 50 forms a single piece with the bottom seal 40, as visible on the figure 1 .
  • the present invention thus makes it possible to eliminate constituent parts and to simplify the assembly of the valve since, after overmoulding of the seals, the unit formed by the valve body 10 and the seals 30, 40 is fixed in the crimping capsule 100. a single assembly step.
  • this attachment is made by snapping the valve body 10, in particular a radially outer snap-fitting portion 11 of the valve body 10, onto a corresponding snap-fitting shoulder 101 of the attachment cap 100.
  • This shoulder of snap-fastening 101 may for example be made by stamping.
  • the high seal 50 made of elastomer or TPE, can be made in the form of a flat gasket pre-assembled on the valve 20 or on the valve body 10.
  • axial ribs 19 are provided on the portion of the valve body receiving said top seal 50.
  • the top seal 50 could also be overmoulded on the valve body. One could thus form the three seals in one piece integrally molded on the valve body in one overmolding step.
  • the bottom seal 40 is formed of a lip for sealing. This lip extends axially downwards and radially inwards, as visible on the figure 1 and is biased radially against the valve 20. This implementation ensures a good seal.
  • the bottom seal 40 after overmolding on the valve body 10, advantageously at least partially forms the lower edge of said unit formed of the valve body and overmolded joints.
  • the closure of the tank 1 forms a surface that is approximately flat, eliminating or in any case greatly limiting the dead volume of product inside said tank. It is therefore no longer necessary to provide an end ring of the can as for conventional valves.
  • the spring 60 of the valve is completely isolated from the product contained in the reservoir or in the valve, in particular to avoid any interaction between said product and the spring, generally metallic.
  • the capsule 100 may comprise an axial extension 110 intended to accommodate said spring 60.
  • the upper end of this axial extension 110 defines the passage opening of the valve 20.
  • the shoulder 26 of the valve pushed axially upwards by the spring in the rest position, cooperates with this upper end of the axial extension 110 of the capsule to define the rest position of the valve and therefore of the valve.
  • the spring 60 cooperates on one side with a radial shoulder 26 of the valve 20.
  • said shoulder 26 has an axial length large enough to effectively guide the top of the valve during actuation.
  • the spring 60 can rely for example on said high seal 30.
  • This implementation also simplifies the assembly of the valve.
  • the valve 20 is inserted into the capsule 100, with the spring 60 which is placed around said valve 20, in contact with said shoulder 26, then the unit formed by the valve body and the seals is snapped into the capsule 100.
  • the valve is then assembled and ready to be fixed on a tank filled with the fluid to be dispensed.
  • the figure 2 represents another embodiment, in which a pellet or washer 70 is interposed between the seal 30 and the spring 60, in order to avoid potentially negative interactions between the spring and the seal, such as a deformation of said seal.
  • the pellet makes it possible to better distribute the stresses of the spring.
  • This pellet 70 also serves during filling, when the fluid product is injected at high pressure through the valve, which can cause deformation of the seal 30 due to the sudden rise in pressure in the metering chamber 15. The presence of a pellet 70 prevents such deformation.
  • the figure 3 shows another embodiment, in which the valve comprises, between the shoulder 26 and the seal 30, ribs or grooves 27 which, in the actuating position, and thus also in the filling position, are supported by their lower radial front surfaces 28 against the seal 30, in particular to prevent deformation during filling.
  • the valve 20 is made in one piece, and the metering chamber 15 is isolated from the tank by the bottom seal 40, both in the rest position and in the dispensing position. Only when the valve 20 moves between its rest and distribution positions, in a so-called filling position, the metering chamber 15 is connected to the reservoir, to allow its filling.
  • the valve 20 comprises in this respect at least one filling passage 29 which connects the metering chamber 15 to said fluid reservoir, in the filling position of the valve, this filling position being situated between the dispensing position and the position rest. More particularly, the metering chamber 15 is advantageously sealingly closed in the rest position of the valve 20, so that the bottom seal 40 seals the filling passage 29 when the valve 20 is in the rest position.
  • the bottom seal 40 thus cooperates with the valve 20 to seal the filling passage 29 both in the rest position and in the dispensing position of the valve.
  • the filling passage 29 is advantageously made by means of one or more lateral channel (s) formed in the lateral wall of the valve 20.
  • the filling is dependent in particular on the depth and the height of the this filling passage 29.
  • the valve 20 after expulsion of a dose, automatically returns to its rest position under the effect of the spring 60.
  • the bottom seal 40 no longer cooperates sealingly with the valve 20, but is at the side channel (s) (s) formed (s) in said valve 20.
  • the filling will be done more or less quickly, and the amount of the dose to be transferred into the metering chamber 15 determines the dimensions of the passage (s) side (s) 29.
  • the depression created in the metering chamber 15 after the expulsion of the previous dose may be Advance the filling of a new dose when the valve 20 passes through its filling position when moving back to its rest position. At the next actuation, the valve 20 will again pass through its filling position before reaching its dispensing position, so that if the dose was to be incomplete in the metering chamber 15, it would be completed during this actuation . It is obviously preferable to make the channel (s) side (s) (such) so that the filling of the metering chamber 15 is complete and complete, and that ensures a perfect reproducibility of the dose.
  • the figure 4 represents another embodiment outside the scope of the invention, wherein the bottom seal does not isolate the metering chamber 15 in the rest position.
  • the filling passage 29 can be replaced by one or more grooves 19 which allow rapid filling of the metering chamber 15 when the valve is returned to the inverted position when filling the chamber by pressure differential , and a slow emptying when the valve is in the right position of rest of the figure 4 Iso-pressure between the can and the chamber.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Self-Closing Valves And Venting Or Aerating Valves (AREA)
  • Check Valves (AREA)

Abstract

A fluid dispenser valve for mounting on a neck of a reservoir containing fluid, the valve having a valve body including a metering chamber, and a valve member that is movable in the metering chamber between a rest position and a dispensing position. The metering chamber includes an upper gasket and a lower gasket that co-operate in leaktight manner with the valve member. The valve includes a neck gasket that co-operates in leaktight manner with the valve body and with the receptacle neck, the valve body being made as a single piece. The neck gasket and said lower gasket are overmolded on the single-piece valve body.

Description

La présente invention a pour objet une valve de distribution de produit fluide, ainsi qu'un dispositif de distribution de produit fluide comportant une telle valve.The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser valve, and a fluid dispenser device comprising such a valve.

Les valves de distribution de produit fluide, notamment les valves doseuses pour distribuer des produits pharmaceutiques sous forme de sprays aérosols sont bien connues. Elles comportent généralement un corps de valve cylindrique définissant une chambre de dosage entre deux joints, un joint haut et un joint bas, une soupape coulissant de manière étanche dans ladite chambre de dosage entre une position de repos et une position de distribution. Le corps de valve est fixé, notamment encliqueté ou serti dans une capsule, ladite capsule étant adapté à ensuite être sertie sur le col d'un récipient contenant le produit à distribuer. Un joint de col est interposé entre le col du récipient et la capsule pour assurer l'étanchéité à ce niveau. Ce type de valve fonctionne de manière satisfaisante, mais présente un certain nombre d'inconvénients. Ainsi, le nombre de pièces consécutives est important, ce qui augmente la complexité de fabrication et d'assemblage et donc le coût de la valve. En particulier l'assemblage des différents joints de valve est relativement compliqué. Par ailleurs, le ressort de la valve, généralement métallique, est noyé dans le produit fluide, ce qui selon la nature du produit peut avoir des effets indésirables sur ledit produit. De plus, les corps de valve s'étendent généralement vers l'intérieur du réservoir sur lequel ils sont assemblés, créant ainsi un volume mort, en particulier pour les valves utilisées en position inversées. Ce volume mort doit généralement être limité en ajoutant une bague dite fin de bidon, assemblée autour dudit corps de valve. Il s'agit là encore d'une pièce supplémentaire à fabriquer et à assembler. De même, les soupapes sont généralement formées de deux pièces assemblées l'une dans l'autre, ce qui complique encore davantage la fabrication et l'assemblage de la valve.Fluid dispensing valves, especially dosing valves for dispensing pharmaceutical products in the form of aerosol sprays are well known. They generally comprise a cylindrical valve body defining a metering chamber between two seals, a high seal and a low seal, a valve sliding in a sealed manner in said metering chamber between a rest position and a dispensing position. The valve body is fixed, in particular snapped or crimped into a capsule, said capsule being adapted to then be crimped onto the neck of a container containing the product to be dispensed. A neck seal is interposed between the neck of the container and the capsule to seal at this level. This type of valve works satisfactorily, but has a number of disadvantages. Thus, the number of consecutive parts is important, which increases the complexity of manufacture and assembly and therefore the cost of the valve. In particular the assembly of the different valve seals is relatively complicated. Furthermore, the spring of the valve, generally metallic, is embedded in the fluid, which depending on the nature of the product may have undesirable effects on said product. In addition, the valve bodies generally extend inwardly of the tank on which they are assembled, thus creating a dead volume, particularly for valves used in inverted positions. This dead volume must generally be limited by adding a so-called can end ring, assembled around said valve body. This is yet another piece to manufacture and assemble. Similarly, the valves are generally formed of two parts assembled into one another, which further complicates the manufacture and assembly of the valve.

Le document WO 01/66439 décrit un corps de valve en deux parties, avec un joint intercalé entre lesdites parties de corps de valve. Les documents EP2028132 , EP-1336 822 , FR-2 850 165 , WO 01/79079 et US-3 128 924 décrivent d'autres dispositifs de l'état de la technique.The document WO 01/66439 discloses a two-piece valve body with a seal interposed between said valve body parts. The documents EP2028132 , EP-1336 822 , FR-2,850,165 , WO 01/79079 and US-3,128,924 describe other devices of the state of the art.

La présente invention a pour but de fournir une valve simplifiée qui ne reproduit pas les inconvénients susmentionnés.The present invention aims to provide a simplified valve that does not reproduce the aforementioned drawbacks.

En particulier, la présente invention a pour but de fournir une valve de distribution de produit fluide, comportant moins de pièces constitutives et moins d'étapes d'assemblage.In particular, the present invention aims to provide a fluid dispenser valve, having fewer component parts and fewer assembly steps.

La présente invention a également pour but de fournir une valve de distribution de produit fluide qui soit simple et peu coûteuse à fabriquer et à assembler.The present invention also aims to provide a fluid dispenser valve that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

La présente invention a donc pour objet une valve de distribution de produit fluide destinée à être montée sur un col d'un réservoir contenant du produit fluide, ladite valve comportant un corps de valve formant une chambre de dosage et une soupape mobile dans ladite chambre de dosage entre une position de repos et une position de distribution, ladite chambre de dosage comportant un joint haut et un joint bas coopérant de manière étanche avec ladite soupape, ladite valve comportant un joint de col coopérant de manière étanche avec ledit corps de valve et ledit col de récipient, ledit corps de valve étant réalisé d'une seule pièce monobloc, ledit joint de col et ledit joint bas étant surmoulés sur le corps de valve monobloc. Ledit joint bas forme une lèvre s'étendant radialement vers l'intérieur et axialement vers le réservoir, et coopérant de manière étanche avec la soupape en positions de repos et de distribution.The present invention therefore relates to a fluid dispensing valve intended to be mounted on a neck of a reservoir containing fluid, said valve comprising a valve body forming a metering chamber and a movable valve in said chamber. dosing between a resting position and a dispensing position, said dosing chamber having a high seal and a low seal cooperating sealingly with said valve, said valve having a neck seal cooperating sealingly with said valve body and said container neck, said valve body being made in one piece, said neck seal and said bottom seal being overmolded on the one-piece valve body. Said bottom seal forms a lip extending radially inwardly and axially towards the reservoir, and sealingly cooperating with the valve in resting and dispensing positions.

Avantageusement, ladite soupape est réalisée d'une pièce monobloc.Advantageously, said valve is made of a single piece.

Avantageusement, ledit joint de col et ledit joint sont formés dans le même matériau, notamment un thermoplastique élastomère.Advantageously, said neck gasket and said gasket are formed in the same material, in particular an elastomeric thermoplastic.

Avantageusement, ledit joint de col et ledit joint bas forment une pièce monobloc.Advantageously, said neck seal and said bottom seal form a single piece.

Avantageusement, ledit joint haut est également surmoulé sur ledit corps de valve.Advantageously, said top seal is also overmoulded on said valve body.

Avantageusement, ladite soupape est déplaçable dans ladite valve entre une position de repos, dans laquelle la chambre de dosage est isolée de manière étanche du réservoir et de l'atmosphère et une position de distribution, dans laquelle la chambre de dosage est isolée de manière étanche du réservoir et relié à l'atmosphère via la soupape, ladite soupape comportant une position de remplissage entre lesdites positions de repos et de distribution, dans laquelle ladite chambre de dosage est isolée de l'atmosphère et reliée audit réservoir, pour réaliser le remplissage de la chambre de dosage.Advantageously, said valve is movable in said valve between a rest position, in which the metering chamber is sealed from the tank and the atmosphere and a dispensing position, in which the metering chamber is sealed of the reservoir and connected to the atmosphere via the valve, said valve having a filling position between said resting and dispensing positions, wherein said metering chamber is isolated from the atmosphere and connected to said reservoir, for filling the the dosing chamber.

Avantageusement, ladite soupape comporte un passage de remplissage reliant ladite chambre de dosage audit réservoir en position de remplissage.Advantageously, said valve comprises a filling passage connecting said metering chamber to said reservoir in the filling position.

Avantageusement, la soupape est sollicitée vers sa position de repos par un ressort isolé du produit fluide en toutes positions.Advantageously, the valve is biased towards its rest position by a spring isolated from the fluid in all positions.

Avantageusement, ladite soupape comporte un canal axial central relié d'un coté à un orifice de sortie et de l'autre coté à un canal radial qui débouche dans la chambre de dosage en position de distribution, ladite soupape comportant un épaulement radial externe, ledit ressort étant disposé autour de la soupape et coopérant avec ledit épaulement radial pour solliciter la soupape vers sa position de repos, ledit ressort étant disposé autour dudit canal radial en position de repos.Advantageously, said valve comprises a central axial channel connected on one side to an outlet orifice and on the other side to a radial channel which opens into the metering chamber in dispensing position, said valve comprising an outer radial shoulder, said spring being disposed around the valve and cooperating with said radial shoulder to bias the valve towards its rest position, said spring being disposed around said radial channel in the rest position.

La présente invention a aussi pour objet un dispositif de distribution de produit fluide, comportant un réservoir contenant du produit fluide, et comportant une valve telle que décrite ci-dessus.The present invention also relates to a fluid dispenser device comprising a reservoir containing fluid and having a valve as described above.

Avantageusement, ladite valve est assemblée sur le col du réservoir par une capsule de fixation pourvue d'une extension axiale définissant l'ouverture de passage de la soupape, ladite extension axiale recevant le ressort de la valve.Advantageously, said valve is assembled on the neck of the reservoir by a fixing cap provided with an axial extension defining the opening for passage of the valve, said axial extension receiving the spring of the valve.

Avantageusement, ledit corps de valve est fixé, notamment encliqueté, à l'intérieur de la capsule de fixation.Advantageously, said valve body is fixed, in particular snapped, inside the fixing cap.

La présente invention a aussi pour objet un procédé de fabrication d'un dispositif tel que décrit ci-dessus, comprenant l'étape de surmouler le joint bas et le joint de col sur le corps de valve monobloc.The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a device as described above, comprising the step of overmolding the bottom seal and the neck seal on the one-piece valve body.

Avantageusement, lesdits joints sont formés à partir du même matériau thermoplastique élastomère et surmoulés en une même étape de surmoulage.Advantageously, said seals are formed from the same thermoplastic elastomer material and overmolded in the same overmolding step.

Avantageusement, le procédé comprend en outre les étapes d'assembler la soupape et le ressort dans la capsule puis de fixer, notamment par encliquetage, le corps de valve dans ladite capsule.Advantageously, the method further comprises the steps of assembling the valve and the spring in the capsule and then fixing, in particular by snapping, the valve body in said capsule.

Avantageusement, ledit joint haut est pré-assemblé sur ladite soupape pour l'assemblage.Advantageously, said top seal is pre-assembled on said valve for assembly.

En variante, ledit joint haut est pré-assemblé sur ledit corps de valve pour l'assemblage.Alternatively, said top seal is pre-assembled on said valve body for assembly.

Ces caractéristiques et avantages et d'autres de la présente invention apparaîtront plus clairement au cours de la description détaillée suivante de celle-ci, faite en référence aux dessins joints, donnés à titre d'exemples non limitatifs, et sur lesquels

  • la figure 1 est une vue schématique en section représentant une valve selon un premier mode de réalisation avantageux de la présente invention, en position de repos,
  • la figure 2 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 1, représentant un second mode de réalisation avantageux de la présente invention,
  • la figure 3 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 1, représentant un troisième mode de réalisation avantageux de la présente invention, et
  • la figure 4 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 1, représentant un quatrième mode de réalisation en dehors du périmètre de la présente invention,
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly in the following detailed description thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, and in which:
  • the figure 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view showing a valve according to a first advantageous embodiment of the present invention, in the rest position,
  • the figure 2 is a view similar to that of the figure 1 , representing a second advantageous embodiment of the present invention,
  • the figure 3 is a view similar to that of the figure 1 , showing a third advantageous embodiment of the present invention, and
  • the figure 4 is a view similar to that of the figure 1 , representing a fourth embodiment outside the scope of the present invention,

En se référant notamment à la figure 1, la présente invention concerne en particulier une valve de type valve doseuse pour la distribution sous forme aérosol d'un produit fluide médicamenteux, au moyen d'un gaz propulseur. Bien entendu, la présente invention peut également s'appliquer à des valves d'un autre type ou utilisées dans des domaines différents, tel que la parfumerie ou la cosmétique.Referring in particular to the figure 1 the present invention relates in particular to a metering valve type valve for dispensing aerosol form of a medicinal fluid product, by means of a propellant gas. Of course, the present invention can also be applied to valves of another type or used in different fields, such as perfumery or cosmetics.

La valve représentée sur la figure 1 comporte un corps de valve 10 formant une chambre de dosage 15. Une soupape 20 est montée coulissante dans la chambre de dosage 15 entre une position de repos, représentée sur la figure 1, et une position de distribution, dans laquelle la soupape est enfoncée axialement vers l'intérieur de la valve. La soupape 20 est sollicitée vers sa position de repos par un ressort 60, qui se comprime lorsqu'un utilisateur actionne la valve et pousse la soupape axialement à l'intérieur de la valve. Lorsque l'utilisateur relâche sa force d'actionnement, le ressort 60 comprimé ramène la soupape 20 de sa position de distribution vers sa position de repos. La soupape comporte un canal axial central 21 débouchant d'un coté sur un orifice de sortie axiale 25 et de l'autre coté sur un canal radial 22 qui débouche dans la chambre de dosage 15 lorsque la soupape 20 est en position de distribution. La chambre de dosage 15 comporte un joint haut 30 et un joint bas 40 (les expressions « haut » et « bas » faisant référence à la position droite de la valve représentée sur la figure) et la soupape 20 coulisse de manière étanche contre ces deux joints haut et bas 30, 40.The valve shown on the figure 1 comprises a valve body 10 forming a metering chamber 15. A valve 20 is slidably mounted in the metering chamber 15 between a rest position, shown in FIG. figure 1 , and a dispensing position, in which the valve is pressed axially towards the inside of the valve. The valve 20 is urged toward its rest position by a spring 60, which compresses when a user actuates the valve and urges the valve axially within the valve. When the user releases its actuating force, the compressed spring 60 returns the valve 20 from its dispensing position to its rest position. The valve comprises a central axial channel 21 opening on one side on an axial outlet 25 and on the other side on a radial channel 22 which opens into the metering chamber 15 when the valve 20 is in the dispensing position. The metering chamber 15 has a high seal 30 and a bottom seal 40 (the terms "up" and "down" referring to the upright position of the valve shown in the figure) and the valve 20 slides tightly against these two up and down joints 30, 40.

Le corps de valve 10 est assemblé sur un réservoir 1, en particulier sur le col 2 de ce réservoir 1, au moyen d'un organe de fixation 100, qui est avantageusement une capsule à sertir comme représentée sur la figure. Il est à noter ici que l'organe de fixation pourrait être d'un type différent, par exemple vissable, encliquetable ou similaire. Un joint de col 50 est interposé entre le corps de valve 10 et l'organe de fixation 100, qui sera ci-après appelé capsule de fixation pour des raisons de simplicité de description, ledit joint de col 50 étant destiné à assurer l'étanchéité entre le corps de valve 10 et le col 2 du réservoir 1.The valve body 10 is assembled on a reservoir 1, in particular on the neck 2 of this reservoir 1, by means of a fixing member 100, which is advantageously a crimping capsule as shown in the figure. It should be noted here that the fixing member could be of a different type, for example screwed, snap-fastenable or similar. A neck seal 50 is interposed between the valve body 10 and the fixing member 100, which will be hereinafter called the attachment cap for the sake of simplicity of description, said neck seal 50 being intended to seal between the valve body 10 and the neck 2 of the tank 1.

Le joint de col 50 et le joint bas 40 de la chambre de dosage sont surmoulés sur ledit corps de valve 10. Avantageusement, ces joints sont formés du même matériau. Le ou les joints sont avantageusement réalisés en matériau thermoplastique élastomère (TPE) à base oléfinique, par exemple en PP/SBC (mélange de polypropylène et de copolymère à blocs styrène), POE (éthylène octène), PEB (éthylène butène), EVA (éthylène vinyle acétate), PP/EPDM (mélange de polypropylène et d'éthylène propylène diène monomère). Les joints sont surmoulés sur le corps de valve 10, avantageusement en une même étape de surmoulage. Le corps de valve 10 est réalisé d'une seule pièce monobloc, ce qui simplifie sa fabrication et son assemblage. Avantageusement, le corps de valve est réalisé en polyoléfine, ce qui favorise le surmoulage des joints en TPE à base oléfinique, du fait de l'affinité chimique de ces matériaux. Avantageusement, le moulage du corps de valve en polyoléfine et le surmoulage des joints en TPE à base oléfinique pourraient être effectués dans le même moule. D'autres matériaux possibles pour le corps de valve comprennent le polybutylène téréphtalate (PBT), polyoxyméthylène (POM), polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), polyméthacrylate de méthyle (PMMA), polychlorure de vinyle (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiène styrène (ABS), polypropylène (PP), polyéthylène (PE), et des alliages de tous ces matériaux. D'autres matériaux possibles pour le ou les joints comprennent les alliages thermoplastiques (NBR/PP, butyl/PP, halobutyl/PP, HNBR/PE), les élastomères thermoplastiques préparés par vulcanisation dynamique, les élastomères thermoplastiques polyamide (PEBA, PEA, PEEA, PCEA), les élastomères thermoplastiques polyéther ester, les élastomères thermoplastiques polyuréthane (TPU), les copolymères à blocs styrène (SBS, SIS, SEBS, SEPS, SEEPS, SIBS), et des mélanges de tous ces matériaux.The neck seal 50 and the bottom seal 40 of the metering chamber are overmolded onto said valve body 10. Advantageously, these seals are formed of the same material. The seal or seals are advantageously made of olefinic-based elastomeric thermoplastic material (TPE), for example PP / SBC (mixture of polypropylene and styrene block copolymer), POE (ethylene octene), PEB (ethylene butene), EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), PP / EPDM (blend of polypropylene and ethylene propylene diene monomer). The seals are overmolded on the valve body 10, advantageously in the same overmolding step. The valve body 10 is made in one piece, which simplifies its manufacture and assembly. Advantageously, the valve body is made of polyolefin, which promotes the overmolding of olefinic-based TPE seals, because of the chemical affinity of these materials. Advantageously, the molding of the polyolefin valve body and the overmolding of olefinically based TPE seals could be carried out in the same mold. Other possible materials for the valve body include polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and alloys of all these materials. Other possible materials for the seal (s) include thermoplastic alloys (NBR / PP, butyl / PP, halobutyl / PP, HNBR / PE), thermoplastic elastomers prepared by dynamic vulcanization, thermoplastic polyamide elastomers (PEBA, PEA, PEEA , PCEA), thermoplastic polyether ester elastomers, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPU), styrene block copolymers (SBS, SIS, SEBS, SEPS, SEEPS, SIBS), and mixtures of all these materials.

Avantageusement, le joint de col 50 forme une seule pièce monobloc avec le joint bas 40, comme visible sur la figure 1. La présente invention permet donc de supprimer des pièces constitutives et de simplifier l'assemblage de la valve puisque après surmoulage des joints, l'unité formée par le corps de valve 10 et les joints 30, 40 se fixe dans la capsule de sertissage 100 en une seule étape d'assemblage. Avantageusement, cette fixation est réalisée par encliquetage du corps de valve 10, notamment d'une partie d'encliquetage 11 radialement externe du corps de valve 10, sur un épaulement d'encliquetage correspondant 101 de la capsule de fixation 100. Cet épaulement d'encliquetage 101 peut par exemple être réalisé par emboutissage. Le joint haut 50, réalisé en élastomère ou en TPE, peut être réalisé sous la forme d'un joint plat pré-assemblé sur la soupape 20 ou sur le corps de valve 10. Avantageusement dans ce cas, des nervures axiales 19 sont prévues sur la partie du corps de valve recevant ledit joint haut 50. En variante, le joint haut 50 pourrait aussi être surmoulé sur le corps de valve. On pourrait ainsi former les trois joints en une seule pièce monobloc surmoulée sur le corps de valve en une même étape de surmoulage.Advantageously, the neck seal 50 forms a single piece with the bottom seal 40, as visible on the figure 1 . The present invention thus makes it possible to eliminate constituent parts and to simplify the assembly of the valve since, after overmoulding of the seals, the unit formed by the valve body 10 and the seals 30, 40 is fixed in the crimping capsule 100. a single assembly step. Advantageously, this attachment is made by snapping the valve body 10, in particular a radially outer snap-fitting portion 11 of the valve body 10, onto a corresponding snap-fitting shoulder 101 of the attachment cap 100. This shoulder of snap-fastening 101 may for example be made by stamping. The high seal 50, made of elastomer or TPE, can be made in the form of a flat gasket pre-assembled on the valve 20 or on the valve body 10. Advantageously in this case, axial ribs 19 are provided on the portion of the valve body receiving said top seal 50. Alternatively, the top seal 50 could also be overmoulded on the valve body. One could thus form the three seals in one piece integrally molded on the valve body in one overmolding step.

Le joint bas 40 est formé d'une lèvre pour réaliser l'étanchéité. Cette lèvre s'étend axialement vers le bas et radialement vers l'intérieur, comme visible sur la figure 1, et est sollicitée radialement contre la soupape 20. Cette mise en oeuvre garantit une bonne étanchéité. De plus, le joint bas 40, après surmoulage sur le corps de valve 10, forme avantageusement au moins partiellement le bord inférieur de ladite unité formée du corps de valve et des joints surmoulés. Ainsi, la fermeture du réservoir 1 forme une surface environ plane, éliminant ou en tous cas limitant fortement le volume mort de produit à l'intérieur dudit réservoir. Il n'est donc plus nécessaire de prévoir une bague fin de bidon comme pour les valves classiques.The bottom seal 40 is formed of a lip for sealing. This lip extends axially downwards and radially inwards, as visible on the figure 1 and is biased radially against the valve 20. This implementation ensures a good seal. In addition, the bottom seal 40, after overmolding on the valve body 10, advantageously at least partially forms the lower edge of said unit formed of the valve body and overmolded joints. Thus, the closure of the tank 1 forms a surface that is approximately flat, eliminating or in any case greatly limiting the dead volume of product inside said tank. It is therefore no longer necessary to provide an end ring of the can as for conventional valves.

Selon un autre aspect de l'invention, le ressort 60 de la valve est totalement isolé du produit contenu dans le réservoir ou dans la valve, notamment pour éviter toute interaction entre ledit produit et le ressort, généralement métallique. Ainsi, comme visible sur la figure 1, la capsule 100 peut comporter une extension axiale 110 destinée à loger ledit ressort 60. L'extrémité supérieure de cette extension axiale 110 définit l'ouverture de passage de la soupape 20. L'épaulement 26 de la soupape, poussé axialement vers le haut par le ressort en position de repos, coopère avec cette extrémité supérieure de l'extension axiale 110 de la capsule pour définir la position de repos de la soupape et donc de la valve. Le ressort 60 coopère d'un coté avec un épaulement radial 26 de la soupape 20. Avantageusement, ledit épaulement 26 présente une longueur axiale assez importante pour efficacement guider le haut de soupape lors de l'actionnement. De l'autre coté, le ressort 60 peut s'appuyer par exemple sur ledit joint haut 30. Cette mise en oeuvre simplifie aussi l'assemblage de la valve. Ainsi, la soupape 20 est insérée dans la capsule 100, avec le ressort 60 qui est mis en place autour de ladite soupape 20, en contact avec ledit épaulement 26, puis l'unité formée par le corps de valve et les joints est encliquetée dans la capsule 100. La valve est alors assemblée et prête à être fixée sur un réservoir remplie du produit fluide à distribuer.According to another aspect of the invention, the spring 60 of the valve is completely isolated from the product contained in the reservoir or in the valve, in particular to avoid any interaction between said product and the spring, generally metallic. So, as visible on the figure 1 , the capsule 100 may comprise an axial extension 110 intended to accommodate said spring 60. The upper end of this axial extension 110 defines the passage opening of the valve 20. The shoulder 26 of the valve, pushed axially upwards by the spring in the rest position, cooperates with this upper end of the axial extension 110 of the capsule to define the rest position of the valve and therefore of the valve. The spring 60 cooperates on one side with a radial shoulder 26 of the valve 20. Advantageously, said shoulder 26 has an axial length large enough to effectively guide the top of the valve during actuation. On the other side, the spring 60 can rely for example on said high seal 30. This implementation also simplifies the assembly of the valve. Thus, the valve 20 is inserted into the capsule 100, with the spring 60 which is placed around said valve 20, in contact with said shoulder 26, then the unit formed by the valve body and the seals is snapped into the capsule 100. The valve is then assembled and ready to be fixed on a tank filled with the fluid to be dispensed.

La figure 2 représente un autre mode de réalisation, dans lequel une pastille ou rondelle 70 est interposée entre le joint 30 et le ressort 60, afin d'éviter des interactions potentiellement négatives entre le ressort et le joint, telle qu'une déformation dudit joint. La pastille permet de mieux répartir les contraintes du ressort. Cette pastille 70 sert aussi lors du remplissage, lorsque le produit fluide est injecté à haute pression à travers la soupape, ce qui peut provoquer une déformation du joint 30 en raison de la brusque élévation de pression dans la chambre de dosage 15. La présence d'une pastille 70 empêche une telle déformation.The figure 2 represents another embodiment, in which a pellet or washer 70 is interposed between the seal 30 and the spring 60, in order to avoid potentially negative interactions between the spring and the seal, such as a deformation of said seal. The pellet makes it possible to better distribute the stresses of the spring. This pellet 70 also serves during filling, when the fluid product is injected at high pressure through the valve, which can cause deformation of the seal 30 due to the sudden rise in pressure in the metering chamber 15. The presence of a pellet 70 prevents such deformation.

La figure 3 montre une autre variante de réalisation, dans laquelle la soupape comporte, entre l'épaulement 26 et le joint 30, des nervures ou cannelures 27 qui, en position d'actionnement, et donc aussi en position de remplissage, viennent s'appuyer par leurs surfaces radiales frontales inférieures 28 contre le joint 30, pour notamment éviter sa déformation lors du remplissage.The figure 3 shows another embodiment, in which the valve comprises, between the shoulder 26 and the seal 30, ribs or grooves 27 which, in the actuating position, and thus also in the filling position, are supported by their lower radial front surfaces 28 against the seal 30, in particular to prevent deformation during filling.

Selon encore un autre aspect avantageux, la soupape 20 est réalisée d'une seule pièce monobloc, et la chambre de dosage 15 est isolée du réservoir par le joint bas 40, à la fois en position de repos et en position de distribution. Ce n'est que lorsque la soupape 20 se déplace entre ses positions de repos et de distribution, dans une position dite de remplissage, que la chambre de dosage 15 est reliée au réservoir, pour permettre son remplissage. La soupape 20 comporte à cet égard au moins un passage de remplissage 29 qui relie la chambre de dosage 15 audit réservoir de produit fluide, dans la position de remplissage de la soupape, cette position de remplissage étant située entre la position de distribution et la position de repos. Plus particulièrement, la chambre de dosage 15 est avantageusement obturée de manière étanche en position de repos de la soupape 20, de sorte que le joint bas 40 ferme de manière étanche le passage de remplissage 29 lorsque la soupape 20 est en position de repos. Il n'y a donc aucun risque de perte de produit contenu dans la chambre de dosage 15 lorsque la soupape est en position de repos, la chambre de dosage 15 étant totalement isolée. Le joint bas 40 coopère donc avec la soupape 20 pour obturer de manière étanche le passage de remplissage 29 à la fois en position de repos et en position de distribution de la soupape.According to yet another advantageous aspect, the valve 20 is made in one piece, and the metering chamber 15 is isolated from the tank by the bottom seal 40, both in the rest position and in the dispensing position. Only when the valve 20 moves between its rest and distribution positions, in a so-called filling position, the metering chamber 15 is connected to the reservoir, to allow its filling. The valve 20 comprises in this respect at least one filling passage 29 which connects the metering chamber 15 to said fluid reservoir, in the filling position of the valve, this filling position being situated between the dispensing position and the position rest. More particularly, the metering chamber 15 is advantageously sealingly closed in the rest position of the valve 20, so that the bottom seal 40 seals the filling passage 29 when the valve 20 is in the rest position. There is therefore no risk of loss of product contained in the metering chamber 15 when the valve is in the rest position, the metering chamber 15 being completely isolated. The bottom seal 40 thus cooperates with the valve 20 to seal the filling passage 29 both in the rest position and in the dispensing position of the valve.

Le passage de remplissage 29 est avantageusement réalisé au moyen d'un ou de plusieurs canal(aux) latéral(aux) formé(s) dans la paroi latérale de la soupape 20. Le remplissage est dépendant notamment de la profondeur et de la hauteur de ce passage de remplissage 29. En effet, la soupape 20, après expulsion d'une dose, revient automatiquement vers sa position de repos sous l'effet du ressort 60. Lorsque la soupape 20 arrive dans la position de remplissage, le joint bas 40 ne coopère plus de manière étanche avec la soupape 20, mais se trouve au niveau du ou des canal(aux) latéral(aux) ménagé(s) dans ladite soupape 20. Selon les dimensions et la profondeur de ce passage, ainsi que leur nombre, le remplissage se fera plus ou moins rapidement, et la quantité de la dose à transférer dans la chambre de dosage 15 conditionne les dimensions du ou des passage(s) latéral(aux) 29. La dépression créée dans la chambre de dosage 15 après l'expulsion de la dose précédente peut favoriser le remplissage d'une nouvelle dose lorsque la soupape 20 passe par sa position de remplissage lors de son déplacement en retour vers sa position de repos. Lors de l'actionnement suivant, la soupape 20 passera à nouveau par sa position de remplissage avant d'atteindre sa position de distribution, de sorte que si la dose devait être incomplète dans la chambre de dosage 15, elle serait complétée lors de cet actionnement. Il est évidemment préférable de réaliser le ou les canal(aux) latéral(aux) de telle sorte que le remplissage de la chambre de dosage 15 se fasse de manière totale et complète, et qu'on assure ainsi une parfaite reproductibilité de la dose.The filling passage 29 is advantageously made by means of one or more lateral channel (s) formed in the lateral wall of the valve 20. The filling is dependent in particular on the depth and the height of the this filling passage 29. In fact, the valve 20, after expulsion of a dose, automatically returns to its rest position under the effect of the spring 60. When the valve 20 arrives in the filling position, the bottom seal 40 no longer cooperates sealingly with the valve 20, but is at the side channel (s) (s) formed (s) in said valve 20. According to the size and depth of this passage, and their number the filling will be done more or less quickly, and the amount of the dose to be transferred into the metering chamber 15 determines the dimensions of the passage (s) side (s) 29. The depression created in the metering chamber 15 after the expulsion of the previous dose may be Advance the filling of a new dose when the valve 20 passes through its filling position when moving back to its rest position. At the next actuation, the valve 20 will again pass through its filling position before reaching its dispensing position, so that if the dose was to be incomplete in the metering chamber 15, it would be completed during this actuation . It is obviously preferable to make the channel (s) side (s) (such) so that the filling of the metering chamber 15 is complete and complete, and that ensures a perfect reproducibility of the dose.

La figure 4 représente un autre mode de réalisation en dehors du périmètre de l'invention, dans lequel le joint bas n'isole pas la chambre de dosage 15 en position de repos. Dans ce cas, le passage de remplissage 29 peut être remplacé par une ou plusieurs rainure(s) 19 qui permettent un remplissage rapide de la chambre de dosage 15 lorsque la valve est retournée en position inversée lors du remplissage de la chambre par différentiel de pression, et un vidage lent lorsque la valve est en position droite de repos de la figure 4 à iso-pression entre le bidon et la chambre.The figure 4 represents another embodiment outside the scope of the invention, wherein the bottom seal does not isolate the metering chamber 15 in the rest position. In this case, the filling passage 29 can be replaced by one or more grooves 19 which allow rapid filling of the metering chamber 15 when the valve is returned to the inverted position when filling the chamber by pressure differential , and a slow emptying when the valve is in the right position of rest of the figure 4 Iso-pressure between the can and the chamber.

Bien que la présente invention ait été décrite en référence à plusieurs modes de réalisation distincts, il est entendu que les diverses caractéristiques représentées sur les différentes figures pourraient être combinées d'une manière quelconque entre elles. De même, certains aspects décrits ci-dessus pourraient être mis en oeuvre de manière indépendante. Par exemple, l'isolation totale du ressort de rappel du produit fluide pourrait être envisagée avec les joints de col, joint haut et joint bas réalisés différemment. De même, la lèvre d'étanchéité formant le joint bas pourrait aussi être réalisée indépendamment du joint haut et du joint de col, et indépendamment du surmoulage.Although the present invention has been described with reference to several distinct embodiments, it is understood that the various features shown in the different figures could be combined in any way with each other. Likewise, certain aspects described above could be implemented independently. For example, the total insulation of the return spring of the fluid product could be considered with the neck joints, high seal and bottom seal made differently. Similarly, the sealing lip forming the bottom seal could also be made independently of the top seal and the neck seal, and regardless of overmolding.

Par ailleurs, l'homme du métier peut apporter toutes modifications utiles sans sortir du cadre de la présente invention tel que défini par les revendications annexées.Moreover, those skilled in the art can make any useful modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (17)

  1. A fluid dispenser valve for mounting on a neck (2) of a reservoir (1) containing fluid, said valve comprising a valve body (10) forming a metering chamber (15), and a valve member (20) that is movable in said metering chamber (15) between a rest position and a dispensing position, said metering chamber (15) including an upper gasket (30) and a lower gasket (40) that co-operate in leaktight manner with said valve member (20), said valve including a neck gasket (50) that co-operates in leaktight manner with said valve body (10) and with said receptacle neck (2), such that valve body is made as a single piece, said valve being characterized in that said neck gasket (50) and said lower gasket (40) are overmolded on the single-piece valve body (10), said lower gasket (40) forming a lip that extends radially inwards and axially towards the reservoir, and that co-operates in leaktight manner with the valve member (20) in the rest and dispensing positions.
  2. A valve according to claim 1, wherein said neck gasket (50) and said lower gasket (40) are made out of the same material, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer.
  3. A valve according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said neck gasket (50) and said lower gasket (40) form a single piece.
  4. A valve according to any preceding claim, wherein said upper gasket (30) is also overmolded on said valve body (10).
  5. A valve according to any preceding claim, wherein said valve member (20) is made as a single piece.
  6. A valve according to any preceding claim, wherein said valve member (20) is movable in said valve between a rest position in which the metering chamber (15) is isolated in leaktight manner from the reservoir (1) and from the atmosphere, and a dispensing position in which the metering chamber is isolated in leaktight manner from the reservoir and is connected to the atmosphere via the valve member (20), said valve member (20) including a filling position between said rest and dispensing positions, and in which said metering chamber (15) is isolated from the atmosphere and is connected to said reservoir (1) so as to fill the metering chamber (15).
  7. A valve according to claim 6, wherein said valve member (20) includes a filling passage (29) that connects said metering chamber (15) to said reservoir (1) in the filling position.
  8. A valve according to any preceding claim, wherein the valve member (20) is urged towards its rest position by a spring (60) that is isolated from the fluid in all positions.
  9. A valve according to claim 8, wherein said valve member (20) includes a central axial channel (21) that is connected at one end to an outlet orifice (25), and at the other end to a radial channel (22) that opens out into the metering chamber (15) in the dispensing position, said valve member including an outer radial shoulder (26), said spring (60) being arranged around the valve member (20) and co-operating with said radial shoulder (26) so as to urge the valve member (20) towards its rest position, said spring (60) being arranged around said radial channel (22) in the rest position.
  10. A fluid dispenser device comprising a reservoir (1) containing fluid, said device being characterized in that it further comprises a valve according to any preceding claim.
  11. A device according to claim 10, wherein said valve is assembled on the neck (2) of the reservoir (1) by means of a fastener cap (100) that is provided with an axial extension (110) that defines the opening through which the valve member (20) can pass, said axial extension (110) receiving the spring (60) of the valve.
  12. A device according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein said valve body (10) is fastened, in particular snap-fastened, inside the fastener cap (100).
  13. A method of manufacturing a device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, said method being characterized in that it includes the step of overmolding the lower gasket (40) and the neck gasket (50) on the single-piece valve body (10).
  14. A method according to claim 13, wherein said gaskets (30, 40) are made out of the same thermoplastic-elastomer material, and are overmolded in a single overmolding step.
  15. A method according to claim 13 or claim 14, further including the steps of assembling the valve member (20) and the spring (60) in the cap, then of fastening, in particular snap-fastening, the valve body (10) in said cap.
  16. A method according to claim 15, wherein said upper gasket (30) is pre-assembled on said valve member (20) so as to assemble it.
  17. A method according to claim 15, wherein said upper gasket (30) is pre-assembled on said valve body (10) so as to assemble it.
EP10752862.2A 2009-07-30 2010-07-26 Valve for dispensing a fluid product Active EP2459466B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0955357A FR2948645B1 (en) 2009-07-30 2009-07-30 FLUID PRODUCT DELIVERY VALVE
PCT/FR2010/051571 WO2011012804A1 (en) 2009-07-30 2010-07-26 Valve for dispensing a fluid product

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Publication Number Publication Date
EP2459466A1 EP2459466A1 (en) 2012-06-06
EP2459466B1 true EP2459466B1 (en) 2014-01-29

Family

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP10752862.2A Active EP2459466B1 (en) 2009-07-30 2010-07-26 Valve for dispensing a fluid product

Country Status (7)

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US (1) US20120181306A1 (en)
EP (1) EP2459466B1 (en)
CN (1) CN102470970A (en)
BR (1) BR112012002113A2 (en)
FR (1) FR2948645B1 (en)
IN (1) IN2012DN00795A (en)
WO (1) WO2011012804A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2971772B1 (en) * 2011-02-17 2013-03-22 Valois Sas DEVICE FOR DISPENSING FLUID PRODUCT.
US20140158699A1 (en) * 2012-11-01 2014-06-12 Innobaby Llc Drinking cup assembly
CN106794934B (en) * 2015-03-27 2019-11-01 南京腾亚精工科技有限公司 Quantitative spray valve
FR3051180B1 (en) 2016-05-13 2019-07-26 Aptar France Sas RING FOR DEVICE FOR DISPENSING FLUID.
FR3065891B1 (en) * 2017-05-05 2021-12-24 Aptar France Sas METERING VALVE AND FLUID PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION DEVICE COMPRISING SUCH A VALVE.
JP7411571B2 (en) * 2018-04-27 2024-01-11 コビ、エマヌエラ beverage container valve assembly
IT201800004915A1 (en) * 2018-04-27 2019-10-27 VALVE UNIT FOR A BEVERAGE CONTAINER

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3128924A (en) * 1964-04-14 Metered valve construction
US3054536A (en) * 1960-01-20 1962-09-18 Vca Inc Valve and closure construction for aerosol devices
US3396874A (en) * 1967-05-15 1968-08-13 Afa Corp Positive action dispensing valve
DE3535908A1 (en) * 1985-10-08 1987-04-09 Aerosol Inventions Dev DEVICE FOR SEALINGLY FASTENING AN APPARATUS IN THE NECK OF A CONTAINER AND AEROSOL BOTTLE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A DEVICE
FR2670139B1 (en) * 1992-01-15 1993-12-24 Valois DOSING VALVE FOR USE IN THE REVERSE POSITION.
US5769283A (en) * 1994-08-29 1998-06-23 Osaka Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. Fixed-amount spray type aerosol container
GB9626960D0 (en) * 1996-12-27 1997-02-12 Glaxo Group Ltd Valve for aerosol container
GB2360272B (en) * 2000-03-07 2002-02-13 Bespak Plc Improvements in or relating to valves for dispensers
GB2361229A (en) * 2000-04-14 2001-10-17 Presspart Mfg Ltd Metering valve
GB2385315B (en) * 2002-01-15 2004-06-30 Bespak Plc Improvements in or relating to valves for dispensers
FR2850165A1 (en) * 2003-01-16 2004-07-23 Valois Sas Valve dosing pharmaceutical liquid to inhaler under pressure of propellant gas, has filling passage connecting dosing chamber to liquid product entry point
US7793806B2 (en) * 2003-04-30 2010-09-14 Consort Medical Plc Metering valve
FR2854877B1 (en) * 2003-05-15 2007-04-20 Valois Sas FLUID PRODUCT DISPENSING VALVE.
FR2885889B1 (en) * 2005-05-20 2007-10-19 Valois Sas FLUID PRODUCT DELIVERY VALVE
GB2456495B (en) * 2007-08-21 2009-12-16 Bespak Plc Improvments in or relating to dispensing apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR112012002113A2 (en) 2016-05-31
IN2012DN00795A (en) 2015-06-26
WO2011012804A1 (en) 2011-02-03
EP2459466A1 (en) 2012-06-06
FR2948645A1 (en) 2011-02-04
CN102470970A (en) 2012-05-23
FR2948645B1 (en) 2015-06-26
US20120181306A1 (en) 2012-07-19

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