Valve and dispenser comprising same

The present invention is directed to valves that can be used in a variety of host devices and can be used in a variety of applications, including, for example, containers and dispensing devices associated with consumer products. The present invention also aims at a dispensing device using the valves provided herein.

<p> One embodiment of the present invention is a sleeve having a sleeve wall including an inner surface, a plug disposed within the sleeve, at least one elastically deformable portion, and extending into the plug from one end of the plug. The plug has a blind hole that defines the plug sidewall and a plug that has a flow passage that extends through the plug sidewall and can be opened or opened, and the plug sidewall is non-plugged. When under stress, the plug has an outer portion that is sealed against the inner surface of the sleeve wall to define the valve closure position, and the plug can elastically deform under sufficient normal stress. Allowed, thereby, the sealed outer portion of the plug sidewall separates from the inner surface of the sleeve wall to define the valve opening position and fluid communication into the plug flow path and blind hole between the plug and sleeve. Provided is a valve that defines the flow path to be used.</p><p> Another aspect of the present invention is a plug having a first plug end and a second plug end, which is formed within the plug and extends from the first plug end to the bottom of the blind hole. A blind hole separated from the end of the second plug, a plug side wall extending radially outward from the blind hole to the outer surface of the plug, and a plug side wall extending through the plug side wall to be open or open. A plug with a flow path that allows, a tube partially disposed in a blind hole, with an internal channel, at least one open end that is fluid communicating with the internal channel, and out of the tube from the internal channel. The plug comprises at least one portion that is elastically deformable, comprising a pipe having a pipe side wall extending radially outward to the side surface and a pipe hole extending through the pipe side wall. Thereby, a valve is provided in which the outer diameter of the plug in at least one portion is reduced when the plug is elastically deformed in the presence of a vertical force applied to the plug through the tube.</p><p> Yet another aspect of the present invention is a bushing having a first end and a second end opposite it, and a tube slidably disposed within at least the first end of the bushing. The internal channel, the open end that fluidly communicates with the internal channel, the side wall that extends radially outward from the internal channel to the outer surface of the tube, and the internal channel and the open end that extend through the side wall. The cap flow path comprises a tube having a fluid communication through the tube and an elastically deformable cap having a flow path that covers the second bushing end and is open or can be opened. The elastically deformable cap is misaligned with the tube hole when unstressed, but can be aligned with the tube hole when the cap is sufficiently stressed to elastically deform the cap. The tube hole also provides, optionally, a valve disposed within a portion disposed within the bushing of the tube when the elastically deformable cap is in a non-stressed state.</p><p> Yet another aspect of the invention provides a dispensing device comprising one of the valves of the invention. In one embodiment, the dispensing device is a container having a container opening and a container body, an inner wall of the container opening, a separate annular body disposed within the container opening, or an annular seal defined by a combination thereof. A stop member, a plug placed within the annular sealing member, at least one elastically deformable portion, a blind hole extending into the plug from one end of the plug to define the plug side wall, and a plug side wall. A plug having a flow path that is open or can be opened through, and a tube that is partially disposed within the blind hole of the plug and is fluid communicating with the internal channel and the internal channel. The plug comprises a tube having at least one open end, a tube side wall extending radially outward from the internal channel to the outer surface of the tube, and a tube hole extending through the tube side wall. The valve can be elastically deformed by the displacement of the pipe to change the valve from the always closed position to the open position.</p>

The present specification specifically points out the subject matter which is considered to form the present invention and concludes with the claims expressly claimed, but exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided by the following description, which is shown with the accompanying drawings. It is believed that it will be better understood.<figref num="1">A side view of a container comprising an exemplary valve embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="2">FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the container and valve shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="3">Sectional drawing of the second exemplary valve embodiment.</figref><figref num="4">FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a third exemplary valve embodiment.</figref><figref num="5">FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the valve shown in FIG. 2 at the open position.</figref><figref num="6">Sectional view of the valve shown in FIG. 2, including a tube inserted into the valve and associated with an actuator.</figref><figref num="7">FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth exemplary valve embodiment.</figref><figref num="8">FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a fifth exemplary valve embodiment.</figref><figref num="9">Sectional drawing of an exemplary dispensing device provided by the present invention.</figref><figref num="10A">Side view of two tubes, each according to at least one embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="10B">Side view of two tubes, each according to at least one embodiment of the present invention.</figref>

The present invention can be more easily understood by reference to the following preferred embodiments for carrying out the invention. The claims are not limited to the particular components, methods, conditions, devices or parameters described herein, and the terms used herein do not limit the claimed invention. Please understand that. Also, as used herein, including the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural form and reference to a particular number. Includes at least that particular number, unless otherwise explicitly indicated by the context. Where a range of values is stated, another embodiment includes from one particular value to and / or the other. Similarly, when a value is stated as an approximation by using the preceding "about", it is understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. All ranges are comprehensive and combinable.

An object of the present invention is a valve useful for controlling material flow. Valves can be used in a variety of applications, including, for example, containers for dispensing consumer products. A preferred valve embodiment generally comprises a position where the valve closes or diminishes the flow with an elastically deformable member that seals against complementary components. Stress can be applied to the elastically deformable member, which causes dimensional changes to open the sealing area and define the flow path through the valve, which causes the valve to move from the always closed position to the open position. Will be converted.

Next, with reference to the drawings, and more specifically with reference to FIG. 1, the material dispensing system 1 is shown, which is the container preform 10 and the top opening of the preform 10 made by compression molding technology. It is provided with a valve 12 arranged in the portion. Although not essential or limiting to the claimed valve, the container preform 10 is made by injection molding technology and then blow molded into the final foldable container (not shown) or It may be formed by other methods. As shown in FIG. 1, the container preform 10 is surrounded by an expandable elastic band along with the container to provide a driving force for dispensing the material filled in the final container.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary valve 12, which comprises a sleeve 20 and a plug 30 disposed within the sleeve 20. The sleeve 20 has a sleeve wall 22, an outer surface 24 that contacts an opening formed in the container preform 10, and an inner surface 26 that cooperates with the plug 30 to form a seal at the valve's always closed position. Be prepared. The plug 30 has a first open end 32 and a closed end 34 on the opposite side. An optional flange 36 is defined near the first end 32. A blind hole 38 extends from the first end 32 into the plug 30 to define the plug side wall 40. A flow passage 42 penetrates and extends through the plug side wall 40. The flow passage 42 is shown as an open through hole. Also, the flow path may be a slit or other structure that extends through the plug side wall 40 and appears to be closed, but can be opened when the plug 30 is elastically deformed. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that multiple channels can be used. The plug 30 includes a large diameter outer portion 44 that seals against the inner side surface 26 of the sleeve 20 when the valve 12 is in the closed position. The remaining outer portion 46 of the plug 30 facing the inner side surface 26 of the sleeve is separated from the inner side surface. The clearance 48 defined by this configuration helps with the sticking problem when trying to convert the valve from the closed position to the open position. In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 3, there are no gaps so that the entire outer portion (or nearly entire) of the plug 30'facing the inner surface of the sleeve 20'is relative to the inner surface 26'. It is sealed. In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 4, there is a gap 48 "along the entire length of the plug 30" facing the inner side surface 26 "of the sleeve, which seals against the lower rim of the sleeve wall 22". There is a large diameter portion 44 "to the distal portion of the plug 30".

The plug 30 is shown in the unstressed state in FIG. 2, so the valve 12 is shown in its normally closed position. The plug 30 is elastically deformable and extends longitudinally with sufficient stress. Can be (stretched). This extension or extension increases the length of the plug and at the same time reduces its effective diameter. Also, due to the reduction in the effective diameter of the plug, the outer portion 44 has an inner surface 26 sufficient to form a fluid communication flow path 50 between the plug 30 and the sleeve 20 through the flow passage 42 and the blind hole 38. Be separated from. Then, referring to FIG. 5, the valve 12 is therefore transformed from the closed position to the open position as the flow path 50 is formed. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that alternative plug embodiments may be elastically deformed in a form other than or in addition to the aforementioned form to establish the open valve position.

The valves of the present invention may be used during the filling operation of the container, in which case the valve is used to fill the container with a fluid or dispenseable formulation, which requires dispensing. Maintained by a closed valve. In the present application, for example, with respect to the exemplary valve 12, to the extent that the pressurized formulation is introduced into the blind hole 38 and the outer portion 44 separates from the inner side surface 26 of the sleeve to form a flow path between the plug and the sleeve. The stress level required to extend the plug 30 is created. The pressurized formulation can then flow through the valve into the available filling volume of the container.

Other stress sources can be used to convert the valve from closed to open. For example, with reference to FIG. 6, the exemplary valve 12 is shown with the tube 60 partially disposed within the blind hole 38. The tube 60 can form all or part of the conduit associated with the actuator / nozzle component for dispensing the formulation from the container using the valve of the present invention. The pipe 60 includes an internal channel 62 that defines the pipe side wall 64. A through hole 66 extends through the pipe side wall 64 so that fluid material can be sent between the flow passage 42 defined in the plug side wall 40 and the internal channel 62. The through hole 66 may be larger in diameter or size than the flow passage 42 defined in the plug, which can reduce alignment problems when the valve is stressed during dispensing. Further, the through hole 66 may be an opening slot extending downward toward the bottom of the pipe 226. 10A and 10B provide two examples: a tube 60 with a through hole 66 (FIG. 10A) and a tube 260 with a through hole 266 in the form of an opening slot on the right side (FIG. 10B). Moving the tube 60 downward provides the stress required to extend the plug 30 sufficiently to separate the outer portion 44 from the inner side surface 26 of the sleeve and open the valve. Tubes can be made from a variety of materials, including, for example, metal, glass and plastic. The tube can be sized so that it fits relatively tightly into the plug blind hole. Also, the tube and / or plug blind hole is sealed between the tube and the blind hole using various feature shapes such as at least one annular ring, or multiple annular rings such as two or three. May be enabled to minimize leakage around the pipe and from the plug blind holes.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 6, the tube through hole 66 is shown to be aligned with the plug flow passage 42 both axially and circumferentially when the plug is in a non-stressed state. However, the pipe through hole may be displaced from the plug flow path. The tube has a tube through hole circumferentially (partially or completely) with the plug flow path to provide a "locking mechanism" that minimizes or eliminates the dispensation of the material when the tube is accidentally misaligned. ) It may be sufficiently rotatable in the plug blind hole so that it can be displaced. Similarly, the tube through hole may be axially (partially or completely) offset from the plug flow path when the plug is unstressed and aligned when the plug is stressed and extended / extended. Good.

As shown in FIG. 2, the optional sleeve 20 acts as an annular sealing member for the plug 30. In an alternative embodiment that does not include the sleeve 20, the sealing function of the sleeve 20 ensures sufficient contact between a portion of the valve (such as one or more annular rings 44) and the inner wall of the container preform 10. It can be carried out by. To minimize the possibility of changes in inner sleeve dimensions, inner diameter, and inner surface integrity (smooth and cylindrical shape) during heating and cooling, the optional sleeves 20 have the same glass transition temperature with different glass transition temperatures. Or it will be understood by those skilled in the art that it can be made of different materials. It is considered that the provision of the optional sleeve 20 reduces the occurrence of deformation caused by the heating process before blow molding. This ensures good compatibility with the plug and / or annular ring. That is, the container opening and / or the container neck define the sleeve component of the valve. Separate sleeves can be used even when the plug 30 is located within the container opening and / or container neck, thereby allowing a single plug to be made into container openings of various sizes by changing the outer diameter of the sleeve. Please note that it can be used within the department.

The sleeve component is preferably made of a material that is rigid enough to provide a sealing surface for the associated plug component. Suitable materials include, for example, plastics such as polyolefin, polyester, polycarbonate, metals, wood, glass and cardboard (which may be coated with a hydrophobic material such as wax). In one exemplary embodiment, the sleeve is made of a thermoplastic material and is made by injection molding. Other materials and manufacturing techniques may be used. The plug components are shown as a single unit in the figure. In this configuration, the entire plug is elastically deformable, for example as made from an elastomeric material (eg, natural rubber or synthetic rubber). In other embodiments (not shown), the plug may be made of two or more separate parts and / or materials, which allows only a portion of the plug to be elastically deformable. As a mere example, each end of the plug may be made of a thermoplastic material and the middle part may be made of an elastomeric material. In such a configuration, separate parts may be made by separate operations and then assembled, or multi-component molding techniques (eg, double injection molding with thermoplastic and thermoplastic elastomer materials (TPE)). May be made by. Multi-component molding techniques may also be used to mold both the plug and sleeve in a single mold assembly, including molds with rotating parts.

It should be understood that the plug and sleeve components may have various geometric shapes and features different from those shown in FIGS. 1-6. By way of example, the plug and / or sleeve may be a right cylinder, and in alternative embodiments it may be oval, square, or other shape. Also, the components are shown to have a perfectly uniform wall, and in other embodiments, the component walls may be of different dimensions.

An alternative valve embodiment is then shown with reference to FIG. The valve 68 includes a bushing 70, a tube 80 slidably disposed within the bushing, and an elastically deformable cap 90 that covers the end of the bushing 70. The bushing 70 has a first end 72 and a second end 74 on the opposite side. An optional flange 76 is disposed around the first end 72 to assist in fixing the valve 68 to the container or other distribution device. The bushing may use other feature shapes and / or the valve may use other components that assist in fixing the valve to the host device. The pipe 80 extends through the internal channel 82, the open end 84, the opposite end 86 (which may be open or closed), the side wall 87, and the side wall, and fluids into the internal channel 82 and the open end 84. It has a tube hole 88 that communicates with it. The elastically deformable cap 90 has a flow passage 92 extending through the wall 94. The flow path 92, shown as an open hole in FIG. 7, extends through the cap wall 94, appears to be closed, but has slits and other features that can be opened when the cap 90 is elastically deformed. The structure may be. The cap 90 is shown to extend upward along the outside of the bushing 70, but may instead be attached only to the second bushing end 74. The cap may be indirectly attached to the bushing by one or more components. The cap may be made of any elastically deformable material such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, PVC, PU or thermoplastic elastomer. The bushing and cap may be manufactured together, for example, by a simultaneous molding technique, in which case the bushing is molded with a thermoplastic material and the cap is molded with a thermoplastic elastomer.

As shown in FIG. 7, the tube hole 88 is located in the bushing 70 of the tube 80 in the normally closed position of the valve. In the alternative valve embodiment 68'shown in FIG. 8, the tube hole 88'is located in the distal portion of the tube 80'outside the bushing 70' in the normally closed position of the valve. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the tube can form all or part of the conduit associated with the actuator / nozzle component for dispensing the formulation from the container using the valve of the present invention. .. When the tube is moved towards the elastically deformable cap, the cap extends / extends enough to align the tube hole with the cap flow path and convert the valve from the closed position to the open position.

The valve of the present invention can be used for various purposes in a large number of host devices. One such host device is a dispensing device for dispensing a fluid formulation. As a mere example, with reference to FIG. 9, a dispensing device 100 comprising an outer container 102, an inner flexible container 104 surrounded by an energy band 106, an exemplary valve 108, an actuator 110, and a closure 112 Shown. Although the exemplary dispenser 100 utilizes potential energy associated with the energy band 106 rather than the propellant, the valves of the invention can be used in pressurized dispensers. Using pressurized and non-pressurized dispensers that use the valves of the present invention, for example, personal care products (eg cosmetics, antiperspirants / deodorants, skin care products, shave care products, perfumes, etc. And hair care products), home care products, air care products, and various formulations including pet care products can be dispensed.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numbers listed. Rather, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the listed values and the functionally equivalent range around those values. For example, the dimension disclosed as "40 mm" shall mean "about 40 mm".

All references cited in "Forms for Carrying Out the Invention" are incorporated herein by reference in the relevant parts, but any reference to any of the references acknowledges that it is prior art with respect to the invention. It should not be interpreted as a thing. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in the literature incorporated as a reference, the meaning or definition given to that term in this document shall apply. To do.

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other modifications and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, all such changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention shall be treated within the scope of the appended claims.