WO2017215745A1

WO2017215745A1 - A system for dispensing a pressurized fluid medium and a valve cup assembly for use in such a system

Info

Publication number: WO2017215745A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/063696
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adalberto Geier
Original assignee: Coster Tecnologie Speciali S.P.A.
Priority date: 2016-06-15
Filing date: 2016-06-15
Publication date: 2017-12-21

Abstract

The present invention provides a fluid medium dispensing system (1) for dispensing a fluid medium stored under pressure. The system (1) comprises a container (4) for storing the fluid medium under pressure, the container (4) comprising a neck (5) defining an opening (11). A valve cup (6; 7) comprises a first part (14) that is located in the opening (11) and a second part (15) that covers a rim (12) of the neck (10) defining the opening (11). A seal (20) is located between the valve cup (6; 7) and the neck (5). A locking ring (8; 9) surrounds the second part (15) of the valve cup (6; 7) around the neck (5) of the container (4) to retain the valve cup (6; 7) in position. Preferably, the second part (15) of the valve cup (6; 7) comprises at least one protrusion (16), which is adapted to frictionally engage the neck (10), for example by a snap fitment, and the locking ring (8; 9) is push-fitted over the valve cup (6; 7) in order to surround the second part (15) of the valve cup (6; 7). A valve cup assembly (2; 3) comprising the valve cup (6; 7) and the locking ring (8; 9) is also provided.

Description

A System for Dispensing a Pressurized Fluid Medium

and a Valve Cup Assembly for Use in such a System

Description

The present invention relates to a system for dispensing a pressurized fluid medium that incorporates a valve cup assembly and to a valve cup assembly for use in such a system. Specifically the invention relates to an attachment arrangement between the valve cup and the body of a container forming part of the system.

Background

Systems for dispensing a fluid medium stored under pressure are well-known and typically include a container, a valve and a valve cup, wherein the valve cup supports the valve, usually centrally, and also closes off an opening of the container. The inner volume of the container is pressurized and maintained in such a state by the valve and seals between the valve cup and valve, and the valve cup and the container opening. When the valve is actuated, the pressure difference between the inner volume of the container and the outside environment causes the fluid medium to be expelled from the container. Some systems employ a two-stage container having an inner and outer container, one of which contains the propellant gas, whereas others may employ a single container with the fluid medium also acting as the propellant.

Traditionally, the containers are made from a metal, usually aluminium. Recently, there has been an increasing trend to use plastics, namely polyethylene terephthalate (PET), as the containers for these dispensing systems for various advantages such as cost and ease of manufacturing, among others. In all cases, however, the systems should be stable and be able to withstand the internal pressures of the container while also providing an adequate seal.

Conventional systems employing PET containers also typically use a metal, e.g. aluminium, for the valve cups which ensures a suitable sealing engagement between the valve cup and valve. The valve cup may be clinched to a lip of the opening of the container, While the attachment between the valve cup and container is often sufficient at most normal operating temperatures, higher temperatures can cause the PET container to deform to a large degree such that the connection between the aluminium valve cup and container opening is no longer fluid tight. This is highly disadvantageous as the propellant gas and/or the fluid medium can escape from the container.

European safety requirements specify that aerosol systems should not be exposed to temperatures above 50°C. However, in practice, such dispensing systems may be subject to much higher temperatures.

A dispensing system exhibiting sufficient sealing performance at temperatures greater than 50°C is therefore required that preferably enables the container and the valve cup to be made of plastics materials in order to take advantage of the considerable benefits of using these materials.

Summary

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a fluid medium dispensing system comprising:

a container for storing a fluid medium under pressure, the container comprising a neck defining an opening;

a valve;

a valve cup adapted to support the valve and to close the opening of the container, a first part of the valve cup locating in the opening and a second part of the valve cup covering a rim of the neck defining the opening;

a seal located between the valve cup and the neck; and

a locking ring that surrounds the second part of the valve cup around the neck of the container to retain the valve cup in position.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a valve cup assembly comprising a valve cup and a locking ring for a fluid medium dispensing system including a container, the valve cup adapted to support a valve and to close an opening of the container and comprising a first part adapted to locate in the opening and a second part adapted to cover a rim of the neck defining the opening; and the locking ring being adapted, in use, to surround the second part of the valve cup around the neck of the container in order to retain the valve cup in position when closing the opening.

The valve cup assembly is such that the system is stable and be able to withstand the internal pressures of the container while also providing an adequate seal. It also enables the various advantages of using plastics materials, such as cost and ease of manufacturing among others to be employed.

Preferably, therefore, the valve cup and the locking ring are formed from plastics material, no specific plastics material be a requirement.

Advantageously, the container is also formed from plastics material, preferably polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene naphthalate (PEN).

Other preferred additional features of the various aspects of the present invention are described in the dependent claims appended hereto.

Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 shows is a vertical cross-section of a neck of a first embodiment of fluid medium dispensing system in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section of a first embodiment of valve cup assembly in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention and forming part of the system shown in Fig. 1 prior to incorporation in said system;

Fig. 3 is a view to an enlarged scale of the circled area in Fig. 2 labelled

HI; Fig, 4 is a perspective view from one side and below of the valve cup assembly shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but of a second embodiment of fluid medium dispensing system in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention; and

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing a second embodiment of valve cup assembly that forms part of the system shown in Fig. 5.

Detailed Description

The drawings and following description relate to embodiments of the various aspects of the present invention by way of example only.

Figs. 1 and 5 show examples of fluid medium dispensing systems 1 in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention. In both examples the dispensing system 1 includes a valve cup assembly, which may comprise a valve cup assembly 2 as shown in Figs. 2 to 4 or a valve cup assembly 3, as shown in Fig. 6. The system 1 also includes a container 4, and a valve 5. Typically, in use the inner region of the container 4 is pressurized to a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. When a fluid medium is stored within the container 4 this pressure is typically around 7 bar although the pressure is not limited to this value and may take any desired value limited only by regional or governmental restrictions. The valve cup assemblies 2 and 3 each comprise valve cups 6 and 7 respectively and locking rings 8 and 9 respectively. The valve 5 is generally held in a fixed position by the valve cup 6, 7 such that when a force is applied to the valve 5 from a user, the valve 5 is actuated to an open position. In this position, the pressure difference causes the fluid medium to be distributed from the container 4 via the valve 5. The valve 5 is not shown in any detail in the drawings as any suitable known valve can be used. The container 4 comprises a neck 10 defining an opening 11 in which the valve cup 6, 7 is inserted. The neck 10 also includes a rim 12 that preferably comprises an annular lip 13.

Both of the valve cups 6, 7 comprise a first part 14 that is located in the opening 11 of the container 4 and a second part 15 that covers the rim 12. Preferably, the first part 14 is a push-fit into the opening 11 and the second part 15 is formed in an inverted U-shape in which the rim 12 of the neck 10 of the container 4 is located. Advantageously, the U-shaped second part 15 comprises at least one protrusion 16 on a first surface 17 of an outer leg 18 of the U-shape that faces the neck 10 of the container. The protrusion 16 is adapted to frictionally engage the neck 10. This protrusion 16 may be adapted to permit the valve-cup 6, 7 to be snap-fitted to the neck 10 of the container 4 by engagement over the lip 13.

In order to facilitate the snap-fitment of the valve-cup 6, 7 over the lip 13, preferably the outer leg 18 of the U-shaped second part 15 of the valve cup 6, 7 defines at least one undercut 19. In the illustrated embodiments of valve cups 6, 7 a plurality of undercuts 19 are provided evenly spaced around the periphery of the valve cup 6.7. For example, the valve cup 6 comprises 6 evenly spaced undercuts 19 as shown in Fig. 4. The undercuts 19 are formed in the outer leg 18 and divide it and the protrusion 16 into equal segments.

A seal 20 is provided between the valve cup 6, 7 and the neck 10 of the container 4. T is may take the form of a sealing ring or gasket 20 as in the present illustrated examples but other sealing means are possible. In the present examples the sealing ring 20 is made of a resilient material so that a good seal is provided and is preferably formed from an elastomeric material such as, for example, rubber or silicone rubber. Preferably, the seal 20 is located in the base of the inverted U- shaped second part 15 so that it covers the rim 12 of the container 4. The shape of the second part 15, the location of the sealing ring 20 and the snap-fitment of the valve cup 6, 7 over the to the container 4 ensures that a good seal is formed between the container 4 and the valve cup 6, 7 that will enable the contents of the container 4 to be remain pressurized. However, the locking ring 8, 9 is provided to ensure that valve cup 6, 7 remains in position. The locking ring 8, 9 surrounds the second part 15 of the valve cup 6, 7 around the neck 10 of the container 4.

The first embodiment of locking ring 8 is shown in Figs. 1 to 4 and the second embodiment 9 is shown in Figs. 5 and 6. In both cases the locking ring 8, 9 is push-fitted over the valve cup 6, 7 in order to surround the second part 15 of the valve cup 6, 7. The locking ring 8, 9 bears against a second surface 21 of the second part 15 that is on an opposite side of the outer leg 18 to the first surface 17. Specifically, the locking ring 8, 9 surrounds the outer leg 18 of the U-shape in order to retain it and thereby the valve cup 6, 7 in position by preventing the snap- fitment from being popped off the neck 10 of the container 4 by its pressurized contents.

The two embodiments of locking ring 8, 9 shown in the drawings will now be described.

The locking ring 8 that is shown in Figs. 1 to 4 comprises a circular band that encircles the outer leg 18 of the valve cup 6. Preferably, however, this locking ring 8 is integrally formed with the valve cup 6 and joined thereto by one or more frangible connections 22 as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. The frangible connection or connections 22 comprise one or more thin connecting strips that join the locking ring 8 to an outer corner edge 23 of the U-shaped second part 15 of the valve cup Advantageously, a plurality of frangible connections 22 is provided, which connections 22 are preferably evenly spaced around the valve cup 6 so that each connection 22 is located adjacent one of the undercuts 19, as shown in Fig. 4. In use, when the valve cup 6 has been snap-fitted over the rim 12 of the container 4, the locking ring 8 is push-fitted down over the valve cup 6 in order to surround the outer leg 18 of the second part 15 of the valve cup 6. This causes the frangible connection or connections 22 to break. The thin remnants of material that formed the frangible connections 22 are accommodated in the undercuts 19 so that they do not impede the tight contact required between the locking ring 8 and the outer leg 18 of the second part 15. In contrast, the locking ring 9 that is shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is formed independently of the valve cup 7. This locking ring 9 has an L-shaped cross- sectional profile. In use, one leg 24 of the L-shape forms a band that encircles the outer leg 18 of the valve cup 7 around the neck 10 of the container 4 in order to retain the valve cup 7 in position. The other leg 25 of the L-shape sits above the valve cup 7 and bears on the inverted base of the U-shaped second part 15 on an opposite side to the sealing ring 20.

The fluid management dispensing systems 1 in accordance with the invention fulfil European safety standards by providing appropriate sealing performance at temperatures greater than 50°C whilst still enabling both the container 4 and the valve cup assemblies 2 3 to be made of plastics materials. Preferably, the container 4 is formed from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene naphthalate (PEN). It should be appreciated, however, that the material of the container 4 is not limited to PET or PEN but may be any suitable polyester, including semi-crystalline polyesters. The same applies to the valve cup assemblies 2, 3 which are preferably also moulded from plastics material and are not limited to any particular type of plastics, such as semi-crystalline polyesters, other than that the plastics material is suitable for the purpose.

Claims

1. A fluid medium dispensing system comprising;

a valve;

a seal located between the valve cup and the neck; and a locking ring that surrounds the second part of the valve cup around the neck of the container to retain the valve cup in position.

2. A fluid medium dispensing system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the second part of the valve cup is formed in an inverted U-shape in which the rim of the neck of the container is located.

3. A fluid medium dispensing system as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the seal is located in the base of the inverted U-shape.

4. A fluid medium dispensing system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the second part of the valve cup comprises at least one protrusion on a first surface facing the neck of the container, which protrusion is adapted to frictionally engage the neck.

5. A fluid medium dispensing system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the locking ring is push-fitted over the valve cup in order to surrounds the second part of the valve cup

6. A fluid medium dispensing system as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the locking ring bears against a second surface of the second part of the valve cup that is on an opposite side of said second part to said first surface.

7. A fluid medium dispensing system as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the valve cup is snap-fitted to the neck of the container by means of said at least one protrusion.

8. A fluid medium dispensing system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the second part of the valve cup defines at least one undercut that facilitates its attachment to the container.

9. A fluid medium dispensing system as claimed in Claim 8 when dependent on Claim 2, wherein the second part of the valve cup defines a plurality of undercuts that are evenly spaced around and formed in an outer leg of said inverted U-shape.

10. A fluid medium dispensing system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the valve cup and the locking ring are formed from plastics material.

11. A fluid medium dispensing system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the seal comprises a sealing ring.

12. A fluid medium dispensing system as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the sealing ring is formed from an elastomeric material.

13. A fluid medium dispensing system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the container is formed from a plastics material, preferably polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene naphthalate (PEN).

14. A valve cup assembly comprising a valve cup and a locking ring for a fluid medium dispensing system including a container, the valve cup adapted to support a valve and to close an opening of the container and comprising a first part adapted to locate in the opening and a second part adapted to cover a rim of the neck defining the opening; and the locking ring being adapted, in use, to surround the second part of the valve cup around the neck of the container in order to retain the valve cup in position when closing the opening.

15. A valve cup assembly as claimed in Claim 14, comprising a sealing ring.

16. A valve cup assembly as claimed in Claim 14 or Claim 15, wherein the second part of the valve cup is formed in an inverted U-shape that is adapted to locate over the rim of the neck of the container.

17. A valve cup assembly as claimed in Claim 16 when dependent on Claim 15, wherein the sealing ring is located at the base of the inverted U-shape of the second part of the valve cup.

18. A valve cup assembly as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 17, wherein the second part of the valve cup comprises at least one protrusion that is adapted to frictionally engage the neck.

19. A valve cup assembly as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 18, wherein the second part of the valve cup defines at least one undercut that facilitates its attachment to the container.

20. A valve cup assembly as claimed in Claim 19 when dependent on Claim 16, wherein the second part of the valve cup defines a plurality of undercuts, which undercuts are evenly spaced around and formed in an outer leg of said inverted U-shape.

21. A valve cup assembly as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 20, wherein the locking ring is integrally formed with the valve cup and joined thereto by one or more frangible connections that is or are adapted to rupture in use when the locking ring is located in position surrounding the second part of the valve cup.

22. A valve cup assembly as claimed in Claim 21, wherein the frangible connection or connections join the locking ring to the valve cup around a corner edge defined by the second part of the valve cup.

23 A valve cup assembly as claimed in Claim 21 or Claim 22 when dependent on Claim 20, wherein a plurality of frangible connections is provided spaced around the valve cup, each frangible connection being located adjacent one of the undercuts.

24. A valve cup assembly as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 20, wherein the locking ring has an L-shaped cross-sectional profile, one leg of the L-shape adapted, in use, to surround a first portion of the second part of the valve cup around the neck of the container in order to retain the valve cup in position when closing the opening and the other leg of the L-shape adapted, in use, to bear on a second portion of the second part of the valve cup.

25. A valve cup assembly as claimed in Claim 24 when dependent on Claim 17, wherein said other leg of the L-shaped cross-sectional profile bears on the base of the U-shaped second part of the valve cup on an opposite side to the sealing ring.

26. A valve cup assembly as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 25, wherein the valve cup and the locking ring are moulded from plastics material.