Bag on valve technology

Abstract

A dispenser and a method of delivering an ingredient from a dispenser are disclosed. The dispenser includes a dispenser container and a valve assembly comprising a valve connected to the dispenser container. The dispenser container is partly filled with activated carbon or another adsorbent and a dispensing carrier gas. An ingredient is contained in an ingredient containing reservoir. The valve assembly includes a component comprising a tube, an upper end of which is in operative communication with an actuator spray nozzle, and a lower end of which divides into first and second fitments which receive respectively first and second tubes. The first tube is connected to the ingredient containing reservoir. The second tube includes a frit or filter to prevent the activated carbon passing into the second tube when the pressurized dispensing carrier gas is released.

Claims

1. A dispenser comprising: a dispenser container, a valve assembly comprising a valve connected to the dispenser container, and a dip tube, wherein: a) the dispenser container is at least partially filled with activated carbon and/or another adsorbent and a dispensing carrier gas, b) an ingredient is contained in an ingredient containing reservoir, and c) the valve assembly comprises an upper end of which is in operative communication with an actuator spray nozzle, and a lower end connected to the ingredient containing reservoir, and a means to prevent the activated carbon and/or another adsorbent from passing into the valve assembly when the pressurised dispensing carrier gas is released; such that on actuation, the dispensing carrier gas is released together with the ingredient, and the ingredient and dispensing carrier gas mix before exiting the dispenser; wherein the dip tube comprises a first tube and a second tube, wherein the dip tube is operatively connected to the ingredient containing reservoir and the dispenser container such that on actuation of the valve assembly the ingredient and dispensing carrier gas travel along the first tube and the second tube respectively, and mix before exiting the dispenser.

2. The dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispensing carrier gas travels along the second tube into the ingredient containing reservoir and carries the ingredient along the first tube where they mix.

3. A method of delivering an ingredient from a dispenser as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ingredient is released from the ingredient containing reservoir under pressure together with the dispensing carrier gas which is also released on actuation of the valve assembly which dispensing carrier gas travels along the second tube into ingredient containing reservoir and carries the ingredient along the first tube where they mix before exiting the dispenser via the actuator spray nozzle to an environment or subject.

4. The dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ingredient containing reservoir is a bag or pouch.

5. The dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dip tube is connected to the ingredient containing reservoir or container via a lid, the first fitment connects to the first tube and connects the valve assembly to the ingredient container, and the second fitment connects to the second tube, comprising the means which prevents activated carbon from passing into the dip tube, and into the ingredient containing reservoir, thus enabling the pressurised dispensing carrier gas to drive the ingredient out of the ingredient containing reservoir upon actuation.

6. The dispenser as claimed in claim 5, wherein the ingredient containing reservoir comprises an open container, at least partially filled with a sublimable ingredient and/or an ingredient absorbing material onto which the ingredient is absorbed, which open container is closed by the lid.

7. The dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dip tube is adaptable to connect to another ingredient containing reservoir comprising a different ingredient.

8. The dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispensing carrier gas is chosen from nitrous oxide, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, argon, or mixtures thereof.

9. The dispenser as claimed in claim 8, wherein the dispensing carrier gas is carbon dioxide.

10. The dispenser as claimed in claim 1, which is absent of a liquified propellant and/or a solvent.

11. The dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the active ingredient is chosen from a fragrance, flavour, pheromone, pesticide, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, or mixtures thereof.

12. A method of delivering an ingredient from a dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispensing carrier gas is released together with the ingredient, and the ingredient and dispensing carrier gas mix before exiting the dispenser.

13. A method of delivering an ingredient from a dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ingredient is released from the ingredient containing reservoir under pressure together with the dispensing carrier gas which is also released on actuation of the valve assembly which ingredient and dispensing carrier gas travel along the first tube and the second tube respectively and mix before exiting the dispenser.

14. The dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means comprises a frit or filter connected to the second tube.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

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

(3) FIG. 1B is a cross sectional view of the assembled valve assembly of FIG. 1A;

(4) FIG. 2A is an exploded view of a first embodiment of a valve assembly of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 2B is an exploded view of a first embodiment of a dispenser comprising the valve assembly of FIG. 2A;

(6) FIG. 2C is a side elevation of the assembled dispenser of FIG. 2B;

(7) FIG. 2D is a cross sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 2B;

(8) FIG. 2E is a detailed view of the encircled area of FIG. 2D;

(9) FIG. 3A is an exploded view of a second embodiment of a dispenser comprising an alternative valve assembly; and

(10) FIG. 3B is a cross sectional view of the second embodiment of dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) Referring to FIG. 1 a typical bag on valve assembly (10) comprises: i) a mounting cup (30); ii) an outer (42) and inner (44) gasket (40); iii) a valve seat (50); iv) a spring (60); v) a housing (70); and vi) a dip tube (80) with a fitment, such as a rib, to which a bag (not shown) is attached.

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

(13) 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).

(14) 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).

(15) The dispenser (20) illustrated in FIG. 2D, comprises a dispenser container or canister (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 canister (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.

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

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

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

(19) 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

(20) 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).

(21) 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).

(22) 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.

(23) 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.

(24) 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 canister (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 canister (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.

(25) 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

(26) 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.

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

(28) 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.

(29) Applying Fick's law: F=D A ?c/L

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

(31) Hence, F=1?10.sup.?7 m.sup.2s.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.

(32) The diffusion rate of the limonene onto the activated carbon under these conditions is therefore only 0.001 g/year.