BAG ON VALVE TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

A dispenser and a method of delivering an ingredient from a dispenser are disclosed. The dispenser includes a valve assembly including a mounting cup, one or more gaskets, a valve seat, a spring, a housing, and a dip tube. The dispenser container is partly filled with activated carbon, or another adsorbent, and the carrier gas is at a pressure of at least 4 barg, so as to generate a high velocity gas stream, and an ingredient for dispensing is contained in an ingredient containing reservoir. The ingredient containing reservoir is operatively connected to the dispenser container and the dip tube via a first tube and a second tube.

Claims

1-21. (canceled)

22. A dispenser comprising: a dispenser container filled with a dispensing carrier gas fitted with a valve assembly, the valve assembly including: i) a mounting cup; ii) one or more gaskets; iii) a valve seat; iv) a spring; v) a housing; and vi) a dip tube; the dispenser container is partly filled with activated carbon, or another adsorbent, and the carrier gas is at a pressure of at least 4 barg, so as to generate a high velocity gas stream, and an ingredient for dispensing is contained in an ingredient containing reservoir, and the ingredient containing reservoir is operatively connected to the dispenser container and the dip tube via a first tube and a second tube such that on actuation of the valve assembly the ingredient and the carrier dispensing gas travel along the first tube and the second tube respectively, and mix in the valve assembly before exiting the dispenser container via an actuator spray nozzle to an environment or subject; or the carrier dispensing gas travels along the second tube into the ingredient containing reservoir and carries the ingredient along the first tube where they mix in the valve assembly before exiting the dispenser container via the actuator spray nozzle to an environment or subject.

23. A dispenser as claimed in claim 22, wherein the dip tube of the valve assembly divides into the first tube and the second tube seated within a dispenser container, and wherein the first tube, seated within the dispenser, is connected to the ingredient containing reservoir, allowing the ingredient to be dispensed on actuation of the valve, and the second tube comprises a frit or filter to prevent activated carbon passing into the second tube when the pressurised dispensing carrier gas is released.

24. A dispenser as claimed in claim 23, wherein the ingredient containing reservoir is a bag or pouch.

25. A dispenser as claimed in claim 22, wherein the dip tube of the valve assembly is connected to the ingredient containing reservoir or container via a lid including a first connector and a second connector, the first connector connecting the first tube which connects the valve assembly to the ingredient containing reservoir, and the second connector connects the second tube, comprising a frit or filter that prevents activated carbon passing into the second tube to the ingredient containing reservoir, to permit the pressurised dispensing carrier gas to drive the ingredient out of the ingredient containing reservoir upon actuation.

26. A dispenser as claimed in claim 25, wherein the ingredient containing reservoir comprises an open container, filled with a sublimable ingredient or an ingredient absorbing material onto which the ingredient is absorbed and the open container is closed by the lid.

27. A dispenser as claimed in claim 22, comprising three or more tubes and at least two ingredient containing reservoirs comprising different ingredients.

28. A dispenser as claimed in claim 22, further comprising a metering device.

29. A dispenser as claimed in claim 28, further comprising a spacer.

30. A dispenser as claimed in claim 22, wherein the dispensing carrier gas is nitrous oxide or an aerial gas.

31. A dispenser as claimed in claim 30, wherein the aerial gas is carbon dioxide.

32. A dispenser as claimed in claim 22, which is absent of at least one of a liquified propellant and a solvent.

33. A dispenser as claimed in claim 22, wherein the active ingredient is a fragrance, flavour, pheromone, pesticide, nutraceutical or pharmaceutical.

34. A method of delivering an ingredient from a dispenser, comprising: providing a dispenser container filled with a dispensing carrier gas fitted with a valve assembly, the valve assembly including a mounting cup, one or more gaskets, a valve seat, a spring, a housing, and a dip tube; wherein the ingredient containing reservoir is operatively connected to the dispenser container and the dip tube via a first tube and a second tube; releasing the ingredient from the ingredient containing reservoir under pressure together with the dispensing carrier gas which is at a pressure of at least 4 barg so as to generate a high velocity gas stream, and which is also released on actuation of the valve assembly, wherein the ingredient and the carrier dispensing gas travel along the first tube and the second tube respectively, and mix in the valve assembly before exiting the dispenser container via an actuator spray nozzle to an environment or subject.

35. A method of delivering an ingredient from a dispenser as claimed in claim 34, wherein the ingredient is released from the ingredient containing reservoir under pressure together with the dispensing carrier gas which is at a pressure of at least 4 barg so as to generate a high velocity gas stream, and the dispensing carrier gas is also released on actuation of the valve assembly and travels along the second tube into ingredient containing reservoir and carries the ingredient along the first tube where they mix in the valve assembly before exiting the dispenser container via the actuator spray nozzle to an environment or subject.

36. A valve assembly for a dispenser comprising: i) a mounting cup; ii) one or more gaskets; iii) a valve seat; iv) a spring; v) a housing; and vi) a dip tube that divides into at least two tubes seated within a dispenser container, a first tube, seated within the dispenser, is connected to an ingredient containing reservoir, allowing the ingredient to be dispensed on actuation of the valve, and a second tube includes a frit or filter to prevent activated carbon passing into the tube when a pressurised dispensing carrier gas which is at a pressure of at least 4 barg so as to generate a high velocity gas stream is released.

37. A valve assembly as claimed in claim 36, wherein the ingredient containing reservoir is a bag or pouch.

38. A valve assembly for a dispenser comprising: i) a mounting cup; ii) one or more gaskets; iii) a valve seat; iv) a spring; v) a housing; and vi) a dip tube; wherein the dip tube is connected to an ingredient containing reservoir via a lid including a first connector and a second connector, the first connector connecting a first tube that connects the valve assembly to the ingredient containing reservoir, and the second connector connects a second tube including a frit or filter that prevents activated carbon passing into the second tube to the ingredient containing reservoir, to permit a pressurised dispensing carrier gas that is at a pressure of at least 4 barg so as to generate a high velocity gas stream to drive the ingredient out of the ingredient containing reservoir upon actuation.

39. A valve assembly as claimed in claim 38, wherein the ingredient containing reservoir comprises an open container, filled with a sublimable ingredient or an ingredient absorbing material onto which an ingredient is absorbed, and the open container is closed by the lid.

40. A valve assembly as claimed in claim 39, further comprising an actuator.

41. A valve assembly as claimed in claim 38, comprising three or more tubes and at least two ingredient containing reservoirs comprising different ingredients (100).

42. A valve assembly as claimed in claim 38, further comprising a metering device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0080] Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0081] FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a prior art male (single) bag on valve assembly;

[0082] FIG. 1B is a cross sectional view of the assembled valve assembly of FIG. 1A;

[0083] FIG. 2A is an exploded view of a first embodiment of a valve assembly of the present invention;

[0084] FIG. 2B is an exploded view of a first embodiment of a dispenser comprising the valve assembly of FIG. 2A;

[0085] FIG. 2C is a side elevation of the assembled dispenser of FIG. 2B;

[0086] FIG. 2D is a cross sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 2B;

[0087] FIG. 2E is a detailed view of the encircled area of FIG. 2D;

[0088] FIG. 3A is an exploded view of a second embodiment of a dispenser comprising an alternative valve assembly; and

[0089] FIG. 3B is a cross sectional view of the second embodiment of dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0090] Referring to FIG. 1 a typical bag on valve assembly (10) comprises:

[0091] i) a mounting cup (30);

[0092] ii) an outer (42) and inner (44) gasket (40);

[0093] iii) a valve seat (50);

[0094] iv) a spring (60);

[0095] v) a housing (70); and

[0096] vi) a dip tube (80) with a fitment, such as a rib, to which a bag (not shown) is attached.

[0097] Various actuators (200) may be connected to the valve assembly (10) which may be a male valve (as illustrated) or a female valve.

[0098] In a variation to the single bag arrangement two companies, Lindal Group (Bi-valve) and Toyo Aerosol industry (Dual) have developed a dispensing system in which two bags are filled, allowing two different products to be dispensed, either as separate products, or more typically as a single product, with mixing occurring in the valve assembly. In the latter case the valve assembly has a dip tube (80) which splits/bi-furcates into two, each with fitments for connecting a bag thereto. The bags are typically 3 layer, or 4 layer, pouches made respectively of polyacrylate/aluminium/polypropylene or polyethylene (PA/ALU/PP or PE) or polyethylene terephthalate/aluminium/orientated polyamide/polypropylene or polyethylene (PET/ALU/OPA/PP or PE).

[0099] In contrast to the prior art, the valve assembly (10) according to the first aspect of the invention (as best illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, has a mounting cup (30), a pair of gaskets (42 and 44), a valve seat (50), spring (60) and housing (70), with a dip tube (80) which divides, at its lower end, to receive two tubes (82; 84) on respective fitments (182; 184). An ingredient (100) containing reservoir (110) or bag or pouch (150) is connected to a first tube (82) and a frit or filter (120) is connected to a second tube (84), and acts to prevent fine particles of activated carbon being dispensed. Both tubes extend into dispenser container (90), which is filled with a dispensing carrier gas (140), typically carbon dioxide, which is adsorbed by activated carbon (130) which fills or partially fills the dispenser container (90). On actuation, the dispensing carrier gas (140) is released together with the ingredient (100) stored in the bag (150), and the ingredient (100) and carrier gas (140) mix as they pass through the valve assembly (10) to exit the dispenser container via the actuator spray nozzle (200).

[0100] The dispenser (20) illustrated in FIG. 2D, comprises a dispenser container or cannister (90) (FIG. 2B) which is filled or partially filled with activated carbon (130) and the valve assembly (10) is crimped, or otherwise sealed, to close the opening (94) (FIG. 2B) of the dispensing cannister (90). The dispenser (20) may be charged with a dispensing carrier gas (140) before or after crimping or otherwise sealing, as disclosed in, for example UK application no GB1703286.3 incorporated by reference. Similarly, the bag or pouch (150) may be filled with its ingredients (100) before or after crimping.

[0101] The filled dispenser (20) is substantially as illustrated in FIGS. 2C and 2D.

[0102] The invention enables, for example, essential oils/fragrances to be rapidly mixed by vaporisation/atomisation due to contact with a high velocity gas stream.

[0103] The active ingredient (100) is usually in the form of a liquid or oil, but could be any mobile phase carrying the active ingredient

[0104] The bag or pouch (150) is usually rolled into a hollow cylinder (See FIG. 2B) around first tube (82) for ease of insertion, and the adjoining second tube (84) and frit (120) are inserted into a canister pre-filled with granular activated carbon (130), first and second tubes (82) and (84) being connected to the valve assembly via connectors (182) and (184) respectively. (The granular carbon is easily displaced to accommodate the rolled-up bag which is now surrounded by the activated carbon granules). The canister (90) is then crimped, and the bag side of the canister is filled with the required quantity of active ingredient (100). The frit side of the valve is then filled with pressurised gas (usually, air, oxygen, nitrogen or carbon dioxide). On actuating the valve, the assembly enables the dispensing carrier gas (140), that is mixed or physically saturated, at least in part, with any active ingredient(s), for example, a fragrance for air freshening applications, a drug, or an insecticide. Where the dispensing gas is air or oxygen it is possible to provide a scented air or oxygen, mild enough to breathe. Filling the bag (150) with a medicinal preparation (such as plant oil or an active therefrom) and using the dispensing gas (140) allows for the use as a medical inhaler, optionally fitted with a dose regulator and spacer.

Example 1

[0105] An aluminium canister (90) (173×53 mm) with an internal volume of 330 ml was filled with a high activity activated carbon (130) (approximately 120 g) and dry ice (140) (57.5 g). The canister was shaken to distribute the mix. A bag- and frit-on-valve assembly (10) as per the first aspect of the invention was taken and 20 ml of pure fragrance oil (100) was added to the bag (150). The bag was inserted into the canister (90) by manipulating it through the activated carbon granules and the canister was crimped to the valve assembly (10) to form a dispenser (20).

[0106] The dispenser (20) and its contents was allowed to warm to room temperature. The quantity of carbon dioxide generated a pressure of 12 barg. (Without the activated carbon, it was calculated that the pressure of carbon dioxide in this volume would be equivalent to 54 barg, corresponding to 31 litres of gas).

[0107] When the dispenser (20) was actuated an almost dry spray was generated producing a strong and persistent odour. Because the device does not require a solvent, the fragrance is in a concentrated form, and there is no need to identify a compatible solvent. The actuator (200) can be in any design that permits the required amount of scent (or other active component) to be delivered.

[0108] In an alternative design (FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B) the bag (150) is replaced with an ingredient containing container (160), and optionally an absorbent material (170) and closed with a lid (180) comprising two connectors (182) and (184), which connect to first tube (82) and second tube (84), respectively.

[0109] The container (160) is connected to the valve assembly (20) via a long tube (82), such that the container (160) is disposed towards the base (92) of the cannister (90). A second tube (84), with a frit (120) on its end, which is ideally, but not essentially, seated above the carbon (130) fill line (132), allows the dispensing gas (140) to pass along tube (84) and into container (160) where it carries ingredient (110) along tube (82) into the valve assembly (10) such that it can leave the cannister (90) via the actuator spray nozzle (200). The container (160) may include an absorbent pad (170) that is soaked in the liquid ingredient (110) of choice. Alternatively, the container (160) may house a sublimable solid, such as menthol crystals or camphor. The container (160) and tubes (82; 84) are inserted into the canister (90), connected to the valve assembly (10), pre-filled with granular activated carbon (130) and the canister (90) is gassed under the mounting cup (30) with the aerial gas (140) (preferably, but not limited to, carbon dioxide). The mounting cup (30) is then crimped onto the canister (90). On actuation of the valve, the assembly allows for the saturation of the gas with the fragrance or other ingredient, which is then dispensed into the room or to a subject, without the accompaniment of either solvent or liquefied propellant.

[0110] Although this assembly allows for the vapour of the fragrance or other ingredient to diffuse and potentially contact the activated carbon the following example shows that the diffusion of e.g. limonene is very much limited:

Example 2

[0111] Using limonene (molecular mass=136.2 g/mole, boiling point=176° C.) as an example, for which the saturation vapour pressure at 25° C. is 2 mm Hg.

[0112] At an average can pressure of 5 atmospheres (5.07 bar), the concentration of limonene vapour is:

[0113] 760×2/5=5.3E-4.Math.5.3E-4×136.2 g/mol=0.072 g limonene/mol gas=0.072/24=3.0E-3 g limonene/litre of gas=3 g limonene/m.sup.3 of gas.

[0114] Applying Fick's law: F=D A Δc/L

[0115] Where: F=diffusion flow rate, D=diffusion coefficient, A=tube cross sectional area (diameter=4 mm), c=vapour concentration, L=tube length (10 cm).

[0116] Hence, F=1×10.sup.−7 m.sup.25.sup.−1×12.6×10.sup.−6 m.sup.2×3 g/m.sup.3×1/0.1 m=3.6×10.sup.−11 g/s=0.001 g/year.

[0117] The diffusion rate of the limonene onto the activated carbon under these conditions is therefore only 0.001 g/year.