Aerosol valve with defined flow paths

Abstract

An aerosol valve having a valve stem, valve stem housing, compression spring, and a hard stop formed by the interaction of valve stem and valve stem housing is provided. The hard stop prevents the compression spring from becoming fully compressed, or coil-bound, when the valve stem is pressed to dispense a product formulation from the container, thereby creating open spaces between coils of the compression spring and providing a defined flow path for the product formulation. The aerosol valve increases mixing and turbulence of the product formulation that reduce agglomerations of solids that might otherwise block the flow paths. The additional defined flow path also directs more of the product to the valve stem aperture, further increasing dispensing of the product formulation from the container. A method of using the aerosol valve is provided.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0001]1. Field of the Disclosure[0002]The present disclosure relates to the field of aerosol valves for delivery of product formulations having solids. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an aerosol valve having a valve stem, compression spring, and a hard stop that prevents full compression of the compression spring when the valve stem is pressed by the consumer to dispense the product formulations having solids, creating defined flow paths.[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]Aerosol valve structures for product formulations that contain solids can fail because of agglomeration (clumping) of solids in the flow passages in the internal space of the valve stem housing. Conventional designs of aerosol valves often employ flow paths that have long, narrow channels, abrupt changes in flow direction, and areas of recirculation—any or all of which can cause solids in the product formulation to clump and clog the flow paths.[0005]Also, conv...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an aerosol valve that improves the mixing of the product formulation by providing an additional flow path for the product and propellant. This valve reduces agglomeration of solids that might clog the flow paths and increases turbulence in the product flow. The valve also reduces back pressure and allows the product to flow directly through the center of the compression spring, improving the dispensing of the product. Overall, this invention improves the performance of the aerosol valve and provides a better user experience.

Problems solved by technology

Aerosol valve structures for product formulations that contain solids can fail because of agglomeration (clumping) of solids in the flow passages in the internal space of the valve stem housing.

Conventional designs of aerosol valves often employ flow paths that have long, narrow channels, abrupt changes in flow direction, and areas of recirculation—any or all of which can cause solids in the product formulation to clump and clog the flow paths.

However, the compressed spring coils form a barrier to the product formulation that is flowing upward, and so forces the product and propellant to follow a flow path that is nearly entirely along the outside of the fully-compressed spring coils, since there is little or no space between the spring coils to permit the product formulation and propellant to flow in between the spring coils or access the volume in the center of the compression spring.

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