VALVE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A valve assembly including a housing with an internally projecting lip that seals against an outer surface of a valve stem inserted through it. A gas inlet is provided above the lip and a liquid inlet is provided below the lip. The lip thus ensures that a gas flow path and a liquid flow path are kept separate until the valve stem is moved to an open position, at which point a liquid inlet hole in the stem is brought into communication with the liquid inlet in the housing and a gas inlet hole in the stem is brought into communication with the gas inlet in the housing for the fluids mix in an outlet conduit in the stem. The arrangement means that there is no contact between the liquid and a sealing gasket, thereby avoiding swelling of the gasket that can cause the stem to stick.

Claims

1. A valve assembly for an aerosol spray device, the assembly comprising: a housing with internal walls defining a valve chamber, the valve chamber having a liquid inlet for fluid communication with liquid in the aerosol spray device, and a gas inlet for fluid communication with gas in the aerosol spray device; and a valve stem having a proximal and a distal end, the proximal end received in the valve chamber and the distal end projecting through a sealed opening in the valve chamber, the valve stem including an outlet flow conduit with an outlet aperture at the distal end and, more proximally, at least one first stem inlet for liquid and at least one second stem inlet for gas; wherein the housing includes a lip projecting inwardly from the internal walls to form a seal around a perimeter of the valve stem along at least a portion of the valve stem, wherein the valve chamber liquid inlet is proximal of the lip and the valve chamber gas inlet is distal of the lip; wherein the valve stem is moveable between: a closed position in which the at least one first stem inlet is distal of the lip and the at least one second stem inlet is distal of the sealed opening in the valve chamber, such that the at least one first stem inlet is not in fluid communication with the valve chamber liquid inlet and such that the at least one second stem inlet is not in fluid communication with the valve chamber gas inlet; and an open position in which the at least one first stem inlet is proximal of the lip so as to be in fluid communication with the valve chamber liquid inlet, and the at least one second stem inlet is proximal of the sealed opening in the valve chamber and at least partially distal of the lip so as to be in fluid communication with the valve chamber gas inlet, whereby a bubble laden flow is created in the outlet flow conduit.

2. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one second stem inlet for gas is downstream of the at least one first stem inlet.

3. A valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve stem is biased towards the closed position.

4. A valve assembly of claim 1, further comprising a limit stop to prevent movement of the valve stem distally beyond the closed position.

5. The valve assembly of claim 4, wherein the limit stop comprises a shoulder projecting radially from the valve stem towards the proximal end thereof for abutment against the lip.

6. The valve assembly of claim 5, wherein the shoulder includes a channel which, when the valve stem is in the open position, allows fluid to flow from the valve chamber liquid inlet to the at least one first stem inlet, but which when the valve stem is in the closed position is closed off by the abutment against the lip, preventing flow of liquid through the channel.

7. The valve assembly of claim 6, wherein the channel comprises at least one radially extending conduit in fluid communication at one end thereof, in the centre of the valve stem, with a bore from the distal end of the valve stem, and at the other end thereof with a groove in an outer surface of the shoulder running parallel to the bore and to the outlet flow conduit.

8. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein at least the portion of the valve stem about which the lip forms a seal has a constant cross-section.

9. The valve assembly of claim 8, wherein the valve stem has a circular cross-section.

10. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a cup portion and a cap portion.

11. The valve assembly of claim 10, wherein the valve chamber liquid inlet is formed through the cup portion, and the valve chamber gas inlet is formed through the cap portion.

12. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve chamber gas inlet comprises a plurality of radial grooves defined between corresponding radial ribs on an upper surface of the housing, in conjunction with a conduit through the housing to the outer surface thereof, for communication with a headspace of a container to which the aerosol spray device is fitted.

13. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the sealed opening is sealed by a gasket.

14. The valve assembly of claim 12, wherein the sealed opening is sealed by a gasket, the gasket defining an upper bound of the radial grooves in the housing.

15. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the aerosol spray device is of the type comprising a pressurised or pressurisable container holding a liquid to be discharged from the device by a propellant that is a gas at a temperature of 25 C. and a pressure of at least 50 bar.

16. An aerosol spray device comprising a pressurised or pressurisable container holding a liquid to be discharged from the device by a gaseous propellant that is a gas at a temperature of 25 C. and a pressure of at least 50 bar and a spray discharge assembly mounted on the container, the spray discharge assembly incorporating: the valve assembly according to claim 1; and a spray outlet region having an outlet orifice from which fluid from the container is discharged.

17. The aerosol spray device of claim 16, further comprising an actuator assembly which is mounted on the valve stem and which incorporates the spray outlet region, the actuator assembly further incorporating a discharge conduit providing a communication between the stem flow conduit and the spray outlet region.

18. The aerosol spray device of claim 16, wherein the spray outlet region comprises a nozzle adapted to impart a swirling motion to the bubble laden flow prior to discharge thereof from the device.

19. The aerosol spray device of claim 18, wherein the nozzle is a Mechanical Break-Up Unit.

20. An aerosol spray device according to claim 16, which contains a material selected from the group consisting of pharmaceutical, agrochemical, fragrance, air freshener, odour neutraliser, sanitizing agent, polish, insecticide, depilatory chemical, epilatory chemical, cosmetic agent, deodorant, anti-perspirant, anti-bacterial agents, anti-allergenic compounds, and mixtures of two or more thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] The invention will be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0050] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a first known aerosol spray device, with a valve assembly having a pair of sealing gaskets;

[0051] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a second known aerosol spray device with a valve assembly having a single sealing gasket n;

[0052] FIGS. 3a to 3c schematically illustrate a third known aerosol spray device, with an alternative valve assembly having a single sealing gasket formed from two adjacent parts;

[0053] FIGS. 4a and 4b schematically illustrate a valve assembly in accordance with the invention in respective closed and open positions;

[0054] FIG. 4c is a detail view of part of FIG. 4b, showing the relative positions of an annular lip and a stem gas inlet;

[0055] FIGS. 5a and 5b are perspective views of a cap part of the valve housing, showing gas flow conduits;

[0056] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a stem forming part of the valve assembly in accordance with the invention; and

[0057] FIG. 7 is a cross section through the stem of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] A valve assembly 200 according to the invention is illustrated in the accompanying FIGS. 4a to 7. Such a valve assembly is for incorporation into an aerosol spray device 1 of the type generally described in the introductory portion and comprising a container 2, within which is a liquid 5 to be dispensed from the device by a pressurised gas such as nitrogen, air or carbon dioxide, which has limited solubility in the liquid 5 and is in a head space 6 of the container 2.

[0059] The valve assembly 200 of the invention would replace the valve stem 7 and housing 9 combination of the prior art, located between the dip tube 20 and the actuator 10.

[0060] The valve assembly 200 comprises a housing 202 with internal walls defining a valve chamber 204, and a valve stem 220. The housing 202 is formed of two portions: a lower, cup portion 206; and an upper, cap portion 208. As described above by reference to the prior art, the valve assembly 200 would be crimped in place at the top of a container, with a distal portion of the valve stem 220 projecting from the top of the container for connection to an actuator.

[0061] The cup portion 206 has a lower wall 210 with an aperture 212 therethrough. A tubular spigot 214 depends from the lower wall 210. A dip tube (not shown) would be connected to the tubular spigot 214, typically by means of an enlarged lower end as described by reference to the prior art of FIG. 1, the dip tube extending to the base of the container to which the valve assembly 200 is fitted. It will be appreciated that the lower region of a container to which the valve assembly 200 is fitted is in communication with the valve chamber 204 via the dip tube, spigot 214 and aperture 212 (which provides a liquid inlet for the valve chamber).

[0062] The cap portion 208 comprises a generally cylindrical inner wall 224 from which a lip 226 projects inwardly at the upper end thereof. The lower end 228 of the cap portion has a narrower outer diameter so as to fit with an interference fit inside the cup portion 206. At the upper end of the cap portion 208, an annular rim 230, together with an upper surface 232, defines a shelf within which an annular sealing gasket 260 sits.

[0063] A plurality of radial grooves 234 are defined between corresponding radial ribs 236 on the upper surface 232. Inner ends 234a of the grooves 234 open into the upper end of the valve chamber, above the lip 226. Outer ends 234b of the grooves 234 open into a circumferential groove 238, which circumscribes the upper surface 232 just inside the rim 230. The lower and side surfaces of the respective grooves 234, 238 are formed by the cup portion itself, whereas the upper surfaces thereof are formed by the lower surface 262 of the gasket 260.

[0064] A conduit 240 is formed through the cap portion 208, with an upper end opening into the circumferential groove 238 via a hole 242, and with a lower end exiting the side of the cup portion via a hole 244 in the outer surface thereof. It will be appreciated that the head space of a container to which the valve assembly 200 is fitted is in communication with the valve chamber 204 via the conduit 240, circumferential groove 238 and radial grooves 234 (which together provide a gas inlet for the valve chamber).

[0065] The valve stem 220 is generally cylindrical, having an outer surface 272 with a diameter equal to the inner diameter of the lip 226 such that the lip 226 forms a seal around the perimeter of the valve stem. A proximal end 274 of the valve stem is received in the valve chamber 204 and a distal end 276 projects through the centre 264 of the annular sealing gasket 260, which is dimensioned to seal against the outer surface 272 of the valve stem 220. The lower surface 262 of the gasket 260 defines the top of the valve chamber 204.

[0066] The valve stem 220 includes an outlet flow conduit 280 with an outlet aperture 282 at the distal end 276 and, more proximally, at least one first stem inlet 284 for liquid and at least one second stem inlet 286 for gas. As illustrated, there is a single stem inlet 284 for liquid and a single stem inlet 286 for gas, and they are positioned roughly in the middle of the valve stem, with the gas inlet 286 being slightly distal of the liquid inlet 284. It will be understood that alternative arrangements are envisaged. For example, there could be multiple liquid inlets 284 and/or multiple gas inlets 286; the inlets 284, 286 could be located more proximally or more distally than shown; and the axial separation between the respective liquid and gas inlets could be greater than shown.

[0067] Towards the proximal end 274 of the valve stem 220, an enlarged shoulder portion 290 projects radially from the cylindrical valve stem 220. The diameter of the shoulder 290 is substantially equal to that of the valve chamber 204. A bore 292 runs centrally from the proximal end face 275 valve stem 220 to the shoulder portion 290. Four conduits 294 extend radially within the shoulder portion 290 from the centre, where they open into the bore 292, to the outside. At the outer ends, the radial conduits 294 open into respective axial grooves 296 in the outer surface of the shoulder 290 that run parallel to the bore 292 and to the outlet conduit 280.

[0068] As shown in the drawings, the valve stem 220 is biased upwardly of the valve assembly (and thus of the aerosol device) by means of a coil spring 222. Lower end of coil spring 222 locates around the aperture 212 of the cup portion 206 of the housing 202. In the closed valve position, as shown in FIG. 4a, the shoulder 290 abuts against the lip 226 under the force of the spring 222, and the flow channel defined by the bore 292, radial conduits 294 and axial grooves 296 is blocked by virtue of the tops of the axial grooves 296 abutting against the underside of the lip 226. Furthermore, the liquid inlet 284 is more distal than the sealing gasket 260. Accordingly, there is no fluid communication between the valve chamber liquid inlet 212 and the outlet conduit 280. There is also no fluid communication between the valve chamber gas inlet 234a and the outlet conduit 280, because the gas inlet 286 is also more distal than the sealing gasket 260, which hermetically seals against the outer surface 272 of the valve stem.

[0069] The abutment of the shoulder 290 against the lip 226 acts as an upper limit stop, preventing the valve stem 220 from being urged further out of the valve housing 202.

[0070] When the valve stem is moved to the open position, as shown in FIG. 4b, the stem liquid inlet 284 is moved below (i.e. proximal of) the lip 226 so as to be in fluid communication with the valve chamber liquid inlet 212 via the flow channel defined by the bore 292, radial conduits 294 and axial grooves 296 through the stem shoulder portion 290. Also, the stem gas inlet 286 is moved below (i.e. proximal of) the sealing gasket 260 to a position at the upper end of the valve chamber 204 in fluid communication with the valve chamber gas inlet 234a. At least a part of the stem gas inlet 286 must be open to the upper portion of the valve chamber 204 (i.e. the portion above the lip 226). Abutment of the bottom face 275 of the valve stem 220 against the lower wall 210 of the cup portion 206 defines a lower limit stop.

[0071] Thus, to operate the device, an actuator cap 10 is depressed so that the valve stem 220 moves downwardly against the bias of spring 222 from the closed position to the open position. As a result, the liquid and gas stem inlets 284, 286 are displaced past the gasket 260 and brought into respective fluid communication with liquid (or powder) 5 from the container 2 and compressed gas from the head space 6.

[0072] Compressed gas can now flow into the outlet conduit 280 by passage through the hole 244 in the outer surface of the cap portion 208, the conduit 240, the hole 242, the circumferential groove 238 and radial grooves 234, and through the stem gas inlet 286.

[0073] Liquid 5 can now flow into the upper portion of the valve chamber 204 by passage upwardly along the dip tube 20, through the inlet 212, the bore 292, the radial conduits 294 and the axial grooves 296. Liquid 5 introduced into the upper portion of the valve chamber 204 passes via stem liquid inlet 284 into flow conduit 280 where it is mixed with the compressed gas bled through the stem gas inlet 286. A bubble laden flow of homogeneous bubbles with similar diameters and without significant coalescence or stratification is formed in the outlet flow conduit 280.

[0074] That bubbly flow can then flow, preferably undisturbed, through the actuator 10, such as one of the type disclosed in FIG. 1, to a spray outlet region 11. This actuator cap 10 (which may be of the type available under the name Kosmos from Precision Valve (UK) Ltd) is moulded so as to locate on the top of valve stem 7, 220 and has an internal L-shaped conduit formed as a first section 12a collinear with the outlet bore 8, 280 of valve stem 7, 220 and a second section 12b that extends at right angles to section 12a and leads to spray outlet region 11. Other different actuators could be used instead; a number of different exemplary styles are disclosed in WO 2011/061531 and WO 2011/128607. The substantially disturbance-free flow of the bubble laden flow can be achieved by configuring the outlet flow conduit 280 and the flow conduit through the actuator such that there is an absence of any flow disturbances, whereby the bubble laden flow is delivered to the spray outlet region in substantially the form in which it was created.

[0075] The bubble laden flow should be at a velocity that gives a sufficiently short residence time of the flow in the outlet flow conduit 280 and the flow conduit through the actuator such that bubble coalescence or stratification does not occur. Typically the flow rate should be in the range 0.5 to 5 m/s.

[0076] The bubble laden flow should be at between 1 bar and 20 bar pressure, and in a preferred embodiment for a consumer aerosol can, between 4 bar and 12 bar (said pressure reducing during evacuation of the can).

[0077] The ratio of volume of gas/volume of liquid contained in the bubble laden flow in the outlet flow conduit 280 should be between 0.2 and 3.0 at the pressure prevailing in this conduit and more preferably between 0.3 and 1.3.

[0078] Preferably, the conduits and outlet region (including any MBUs 13 that might be required) of the actuator 10 can be selected so as to be ideally suited to the flow and aerosolisation of whichever liquid (or powder) product is to be dispensed therefrom.

[0079] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 4c, the stem gas inlet 286 is moved to a position in which it is marginally offset distally from the lip 226i.e. a central axis 287 of the stem gas inlet 286 is just above the centreline 227 of the lip 226. This allows not only gas from the valve chamber gas inlet 234a to enter the stem gas inlet 286, but also a small amount of liquid from the valve chamber liquid inlet 212 too.

[0080] Preferably, the stem gas inlet 286 is stepped, having an outer portion 286a (opening to the stem surface 272) with a larger diameter than an inner portion 286b (opening to the outlet conduit 280). Alternatively, the stem gas inlet 286 may have a conical cross-section, tapering from a larger outer portion to a smaller inner portion. The advantage of such gas inlet profiles is to assist in manufacture: when moulding the valve stem, pins are typically inserted into the mould to provide for the respective gas and liquid inlets. By having a tapered or stepped profile to the gas inlet, the corresponding pin can have a matching profile, thereby being thicker and stronger at its root than would be the case with a constant diameter pin (matching the narrowest diameter required for the gas inlet). However, a constant diameter gas inlet 286 could be used instead.

[0081] In the construction of the valve assembly 200, it should be ensured that the total cross-sectional area of the gas bleed passageways 240, 238, 234, 286 should not be so large that excessive gas is bled into the outlet conduit 280 such that the container 2 is depleted of pressurised gaseous propellant before all of the liquid 5 in the container has been discharged. Typically, the total cross-sectional area of the gas bleed inlet passageways should be equivalent to that of a singular, circular section inlet with a diameter of 0.15-0.8 mm.

[0082] Preferred dimensions for the construction of the valve assembly 200 to ensure production of a bubble laden flow of homogeneous bubbles with similar diameters and without coalescence or stratification are shown in the following table:

TABLE-US-00001 Reference Diameter Length Item Numeral (mm) (mm) Stem Portion of valve stem 272 3.2 11.4 above shoulder Portion of valve stem 274 3.5 3.65 below shoulder Stem shoulder portion 290 4.7 1.0 Outlet conduit in valve 280 1.0 10 stem Stem liquid inlet 284 0.5 1.1 Stem gas inlet 286 0.2 1.1 Outer portion of stem 286a 0.5 0.7 gas inlet Inner portion of stem 286b 0.2 0.4 gas inlet Distance of stem gas 7.8 inlet from distal end of stem Distance of stem liquid 8.6 inlet from distal end of stem Stem bore 292 1.0 4.4 Radial conduit 294 0.5 1.6 Axial groove 296 0.5 (0.25 radius) 1.0 Housing Cup portion outer 206 12 5.4 diameter Cup portion inner 8.0 4.2 diameter Spigot 214 4.0 4.8 Aperture 212 2.0 6.0 Cap portion lower end 228 8.0 4.2 Inner wall 224 4.8 Lip 226 3.2 0.91 Rim 230 11.5 1.1 Circumferential groove 238 9.1 0.5 (width); 0.2 (height) Gas hole 242 0.5 Gas hole 244 0.5 Conduit 240 0.5 Radial groove 234 0.5 Offset: stem gas inlet to 227/287 0.06 lip (in open position)

[0083] With the dimensions as indicated above, the valve assembly 200 is particularly suitable for consumer aerosol products such as polishes, insecticides, deodorants, hairspray and air fresheners.

[0084] It will be appreciated that the specific dimensions and arrangement of the various constituent parts of the respective gas and liquid flow paths are by way of example only and that alternative arrangements are envisaged. What is key is for the valve chamber gas inlet 234a to be distal of the lip 226 and for the valve chamber liquid inlet 212 to be proximal of the lip 226, whilst the stem gas and liquid inlets are positioned such that the stem liquid inlet is brought into fluid communication with the valve chamber liquid inlet and the stem gas inlet is brought into fluid communication with the valve chamber gas inlet on actuating the valve to the open position.

[0085] In particular, the arrangement of the flow passage 292, 294, 296 through and past the stem shoulder portion 290 could be omitted, so long as the stem liquid inlet is only brought into fluid communication with the valve chamber liquid inlet in the open position; the flow path being blocked by virtue of the lip 226 when in the closed position.

[0086] Also, whereas the valve assembly is described as having four radial conduits 294 and associated axial grooves 296, there may be fewer or more. Likewise, four radial grooves 234 are illustrated, but there may more or fewer.

[0087] Furthermore, although described as generally cylindrical, the stem 220 may take other generally prismatic profiles (such as square), with appropriate adaptation of mating parts such as the gasket 260 and the lip 226 and the inner walls 224 of the cap portion 208. Similarly, the shape of the outer surface of the housing 202 does not have to be generally round in cross-section.

[0088] For a given exit orifice size the dependency of gas and liquid flow rates on gas and liquid inlet diameters is complex; for example it is proposed that reducing the liquid inlet diameter produces a lowering of pressure inside the conduit which increases the inflow of gas into the conduit. However this increased gas inflow can increase the blockage of the bubbly flow at the swirl inlets and exit orifice of an MBU, which produces a lowering of the liquid inflow rate from the value expected.

[0089] To minimise the droplet sizes it is necessary to maximise the gas/liquid volume ratio however smaller exit orifices and higher canister pressures also reduce drop size. The ratio of volume of gas/volume of liquid contained in the bubble laden flow in the flow conduit should typically be between 0.2 and 3.0 at the pressure prevailing in this conduit and more preferably between 0.3 and 1.3, although ratios as high as 9.0 can still produce satisfactory results.

[0090] Method of Assembly

[0091] In known valve assemblies, such as those described by reference to the accompanying FIGS. 1 and 2, the stem 7 is typically inserted into the housing 9 from above (after dropping in the spring 14, or having already attached the spring to the bottom of the valve stem), and the assembly 3 can then be crimped together with the top cap 30, securing the sealing gasket(s) in place and securing the assembly to a container 2. By virtue of the lip 226, and the shoulder 290 of the present invention, it would not be possible to insert the valve stem 220 into the housing 202 from above. Accordingly, a modified assembly process is carried out.

[0092] In essence, assembly is initially carried out upside-down. Reference to upper and lower portions, etc., should be taken as references to those portions in their usual orientation in use (i.e. an upper portion is closer to the top of a valve assembly and to the outlet spray region of a container to which it is attached than a lower portion).

[0093] Thus, to assemble a valve assembly 200 according to the invention, a gasket 260 is placed into the central portion of an inverted top cap 30, and an inverted valve cap portion 208 is placed on top, so that the gasket 260 is held in place between the top cap 30 and the shelf on the upper surface 232. A valve stem 220 is inserted, distal end 276 first, through the cap portion 208 in the direction from the narrower lower end 228 towards the upper surface 232. The distal end 276 passes through lip 226 with an interference fit until the shoulder 290 abuts against the lip 226. The spring 222 can then be slid over the lower proximal end 274 of the valve stem. Alternatively, the spring 222 could be inserted together with the stem 220. The cup portion 206 can then be snap-fitted onto the cap portion 208.

[0094] The assembled top cap 30, housing 202 and stem 220 can then be inverted (to the upright orientation) for crimping of the central portion of the top cap 30, to secure the cap portion 208 thereto, ensuring that the hole 244 is not obstructed by the crimped top cap 30 to ensure that the gas flow passageway is viable. A dip tube 20 can then be secured to the spigot 214 at the bottom of the cup portion 206.

[0095] Alternative orders of the assembly steps can readily be envisaged, such as assembling the cup and cap portions 206, 208 of the valve housing together (after the insertion of the stem 207 and spring 222 into the cap portion 208) prior to placement onto the top cap 30 with gasket 260, or placing the gasket 260 on to the top of the assembled cup and cap portions after having been inverted to the upright orientation, then placing the top cap 30 over the gasket and valve housing combination prior to crimping. Moreover, the crimping step and the fitting of the dip tube could instead take place with the assembly in an inverted orientation.