Valve for aerosol containers and aerosol containers with valve

Abstract

Valve (1) for an aerosol container (17), the valve (1) comprising a fastening element (6) for fastening the valve (1) to an aerosol container (17), a valve housing (2), an outlet element (7), a spring element (4) and at least one sealing element (8), wherein a valve interior (3) is formed in the valve housing (2), further comprising an inlet opening (10) which connects the valve interior (3) to the interior of the aerosol container (17) in a state mounted on an aerosol container (17), wherein an aerosol line (9) is integrated into the outlet element (7) and wherein a closed basic state of the valve (1) is maintained by means of the spring element (4) arranged in the valve interior (3), characterized in that the spring element (4) is designed as a disc spring and is made of thermoplastic material.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a valve for aerosol containers for dispensing and dosing an aerosol from an aerosol container and to an aerosol container comprising a corresponding valve.

[0002] Many designs of valves for aerosol containers are already known, which generally seal the aerosol line from the inside of the container to the nozzle arranged in a spray head in a resting state and open it when pressure is applied to the spray head, so that the aerosol is released.

[0003] The valve's basic state is usually maintained by means of a spring element, which positions an outlet element relative to a sealing element in such a way that the aerosol line is sealed.

[0004] In known embodiments of such valves for aerosol containers, the spring element is often implemented as a compression spring made of metal.

[0005] When recycling materials, it is crucial for maximizing recyclability that the materials can be separated as effectively as possible to enable, ideally, pure processing. To achieve this, the material to be recycled is pre-sorted using magnets / electromagnets, and, for example, plastic packaging is sorted using near-infrared radiation (NIR radiation) based on its reflectance.

[0006] Furthermore, in the interest of recyclability, it is generally desirable to use as few different materials as possible in packaging, such as a valve for an aerosol container or an aerosol container with such a valve.

[0007] DE 22 02 004 A and US 2015 / 0 136 122 A1 each disclose a valve for an aerosol container comprising a fastening element for attaching the valve to an aerosol container, a valve housing, an outlet element, a spring element and at least one sealing element, wherein a valve interior is formed in the valve housing, further comprising an inlet opening that connects the valve interior to the interior of the aerosol container in a state mounted on an aerosol container, wherein an aerosol line is integrated into the outlet element and wherein a closed basic state of the valve is maintained by means of the spring element arranged in the valve interior, wherein the spring element may optionally be made of thermoplastic material.

[0008] It is therefore an objective of the invention to create an improved valve for aerosol containers.

[0009] This problem is solved according to the invention by a valve for aerosol containers according to claim 1.

[0010] Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to create an improved aerosol container with a valve.

[0011] This problem is solved according to the invention by an aerosol container according to claim 13.

[0012] The dependent patent claims describe advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0013] The features of a valve for aerosol containers and of an aerosol container disclosed below are part of the invention in all feasible combinations.

[0014] A valve according to the invention for aerosol containers comprises a fastening element for attaching the valve to an aerosol container, a valve housing, an outlet element, a spring element and at least one sealing element.

[0015] In embodiments of the invention, the fastening element is designed, for example, as a screw ring with a screw thread or preferably as a clamping ring.

[0016] A secure connection between the valve and the aerosol container is possible using the fastening element without welding or gluing. Therefore, no manipulation of the aerosol container is required during the installation of the valve according to the invention.

[0017] By designing the fastening element as a clamping ring, non-destructive disassembly or manipulation of an aerosol container equipped with a corresponding valve according to the invention is prevented, thus ensuring any necessary product safety.

[0018] In embodiments of the invention, the valve housing comprises a lower housing part and an upper housing part, which can be connected to each other or are connected to each other in a composite state of the valve.

[0019] For fitting aerosol containers with the appropriate valves, which is done regularly when filling the containers with the respective product, the valves are preferably provided fully pre-assembled.

[0020] In embodiments of the invention, the valve housing is dimensioned and shaped in such a way that it can be inserted into the neck of an aerosol container, at least with the lower part of the housing.

[0021] The valve interior is formed within the valve housing. In most embodiments of the invention, an outlet element (stem) projects into this interior from the top of the valve, into which an aerosol line is integrated.

[0022] Furthermore, a first sealing element is arranged in or on the valve interior, positioned between an inlet opening (located on the underside of the valve in most embodiments of the invention), which connects the valve interior to the interior of the aerosol container when mounted on it, and the aerosol channel in the outlet element. The first sealing element is designed to seal the aerosol channel of the outlet element in a basic state.

[0023] In embodiments of the invention, the valve has a retaining element for holding the first sealing element in a defined position. This prevents the sealing element from shifting along with the stem when the valve is actuated. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the first sealing element is fixed in the defined position by bonding. In other embodiments of the invention, the first sealing element is additionally or solely fixed to the housing in the defined position by a positive fit, for example, by a profile circumferentially surrounding the outside of the sealing element.

[0024] For example, a riser tube can be connected to the valve's inlet opening, extending deeper into the interior of a connected aerosol container. Alternatively, a plastic bag can be connected to the inlet opening to hold the aerosol or another fluid.

[0025] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the valve has a second sealing element which is arranged on the valve housing such that, in a state of the valve being mounted on an aerosol container, it is positioned between the valve housing and the neck of the aerosol container, so that a seal between the valve housing and the aerosol container is realized.

[0026] Preferably, the valve housing can be pressed onto the second sealing element using the fastening element, so that the gap between the valve housing and the neck of the aerosol container can be securely sealed by the first sealing element.

[0027] In embodiments of the invention, it is intended to combine the first and second sealing elements into a single sealing element that realizes the respective sealing functions.

[0028] The valve's basic state is maintained by means of a spring element located inside the valve, which positions the outlet element accordingly relative to the second sealing element.

[0029] From the closed state, the valve can be moved into the open state by applying pressure to the outlet element into the valve housing, with the outlet element being positioned relative to the first sealing element in such a way that the inlet opening is conductively connected to the aerosol line of the outlet element.

[0030] In preferred embodiments, the first sealing element is arranged between the outlet element, which is movable relative to the valve housing, and the valve housing in such a way that any gap that may exist between the outlet element and the valve housing is sealed.

[0031] According to the invention, the spring element is made of a thermoplastic material.

[0032] Preferably, the spring element is made of a fully recyclable thermoplastic material.

[0033] Preferably, the spring element is made of at least one thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). This material offers particularly suitable properties with regard to the required spring force and compatibility with the valve geometry, especially for a disc spring as the spring geometry.

[0034] According to the invention, the spring element is designed as a disc spring. A disc spring is a spring disc with a conical shape.

[0035] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the spring element designed as a disc spring has a diameter of between about 12 mm and 20 mm and a height of between about 3 mm and 10 mm in a relaxed state.

[0036] It is important that the diameter of the disc spring, even when compressed, is smaller than the inner diameter of the valve housing, so that the aerosol can always flow past the outside of the spring element.

[0037] In embodiments of the invention, openings and / or recesses in the body of the spring element are realized as an alternative or additional measure to the corresponding dimensioning of the spring element in such a way that an aerosol can flow from the inlet opening to the aerosol channel in the stem regardless of the degree of compression of the spring element.

[0038] In a spring element designed as a disc spring, such openings and / or recesses may be arranged in the casing.

[0039] The thickness of the material of a spring element designed as a disc spring, when manufactured from thermoplastic plastic in embodiments of the invention, is preferably between about 0.5 mm and 2 mm, particularly preferably between about 0.75 and 1.5 mm.

[0040] Particularly with regard to the use of a disc spring, the valve according to the invention, in preferred embodiments, has a rib-like structure at the bottom of the valve interior. This ensures that aerosol flow through the valve interior is always possible and that the valve cannot be completely closed by the spring element.

[0041] Particularly when using a disc spring as the spring element in the base area of ​​the valve interior, a mechanical stop is provided below the disc spring to prevent it from being completely flattened. If a disc spring is flattened, there is a risk that the ends will fold over when the spring is released, causing the spring to twist. Continued on page 6 of the original description

[0042] In advantageous embodiments of the invention, the mechanical stop is realized by the contour of the rib-like structure on the bottom of the valve interior such that at least one of the ribs rises towards the center of the valve interior.

[0043] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the entire valve is made of thermoplastic materials.

[0044] Particularly preferred is the entire valve made of fully recyclable thermoplastic materials, in particular polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), polyamide (PA) or polyoxymethylene (POM).

[0045] In embodiments of the invention, the spring element is made of TPE and the valve housing and the fastening element are made of PET.

[0046] In preferred embodiments of the invention, all external components of the valve are made of PET, so that a reliable assignment to the PET group is possible in the recycling process.

[0047] Components made from a plastic other than PET can be separated from the PET components in the recycling process using a float-sink method of shredded plastic flakes. Lighter plastics with a lower density than PET float to the surface and can then be skimmed off.

[0048] Therefore, preferably in embodiments of the invention, in addition to PET, only those plastics are used for components of the valve according to the invention which have a lower density than PET.

[0049] In preferred embodiments, the valve according to the invention is designed on its upper side for connection with a spray head.

[0050] In addition to the improved usability of the materials of the valve and the aerosol container according to the invention, the invention enables simplified and more cost-effective production and assembly by reducing the number of components used.

[0051] Valves according to the invention can be made compatible with all spray heads for aerosol containers available on the market.

[0052] An aerosol container according to the invention has a valve according to the invention.

[0053] Furthermore, in preferred embodiments, an aerosol container according to the invention has a connecting structure on the outside in the neck area into which the fastening element of the valve can engage for connection with the aerosol container.

[0054] A connection structure that forms connecting elements projecting outwards from the neck of the aerosol container, at least in some areas, behind which the fastening element can reach, is particularly suitable.

[0055] The connection structure is particularly preferred if it is formed by at least one rib running around the outside of the neck.

[0056] Furthermore, an external connecting structure around the neck stabilizes the container opening, eliminating the need for additional stabilizing elements such as metal rings, which are otherwise regularly used. Post-treatment of the aerosol containers to stabilize them and increase their heat resistance, such as crystallization of the neck area, is also unnecessary thanks to this specially designed connecting structure, thus enabling simplified and more cost-effective production of the aerosol containers.

[0057] The figures described below illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention. They show: Fig. 1: A cutaway view of a valve according to the invention mounted on an aerosol container, Fig. 2: A view from below of a spring element of a valve according to the invention, Fig. 3: Make a section along axis AA according to the illustration from Fig. 2, Fig. 4: A cutaway view of an aerosol container according to the invention with a valve, Fig. 5: a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a valve according to the invention and Fig. 6: A perspective view of an embodiment of a holding element.

[0058] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a valve (1) according to the invention for an aerosol container (17) mounted on an aerosol container (17). The valve (1) has a valve housing (2) which is composed of an upper housing part (2a) and a lower housing part (2b). The valve interior (3) is formed in the valve housing (2), in which a spring element (4) is arranged.

[0059] A second sealing element (5), designed as a ring seal in the illustrated embodiment, is arranged between the valve housing (2) and the neck of the aerosol container (17). This second sealing element (5) is arranged in such a way that it simultaneously seals any gap between the upper housing part (2a) and the lower housing part (2b), as well as any gap between the valve housing (2) and the neck of the aerosol container (17).

[0060] The spring element (4) is designed as a disc spring and holds the outlet element (7) resiliently in its home position without external force. In this home position, a first sealing element (8), which in the illustrated embodiment is also designed as a ring seal, seals an aerosol line (9) implemented in the outlet element (7), so that no aerosol can flow from the interior of the aerosol container (17) into the aerosol line (9) via the inlet opening (10) located on the underside of the valve (1).

[0061] A riser tube (20) is attached to the pin-like inlet opening (10) protruding downwards from the valve (1), which extends deeper into the aerosol container (17).

[0062] The outlet element (7), or stem, is pin-shaped and partially hollow, and has a ring-shaped plate (11) surrounding the body in the valve interior (3). The first sealing element (8) is arranged between this plate (11) and the housing upper part (2a) such that any gap between the outlet element (7) and the housing upper part (2a) is sealed.

[0063] Below the plate (11) of the outlet element (7) the spring element (4) rests with the upper side of the cone against the outlet element (7), which extends through the opening (19) of the spring element (4).

[0064] The outlet element (7) is centered at its lower end by means of a centering element (12) and is guided in its movement.

[0065] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the outlet element (7) has a rib-like structure in the region of its lower end, with ribs extending longitudinally along the outlet element (7). This prevents the inlet opening from being closed by pushing the lower end of the outlet element far into the valve.

[0066] On the bottom of the valve interior (3) on the surface of the lower housing part (2b) a rib-like structure (13) is formed, which between the ribs (13) forms radially outwardly extending channels (14) from the center in the area of ​​the inlet opening (10) below the spring element (4).

[0067] The height of the ribs (13) is increased towards the center, so that a mechanical stop for the disc spring and the disc (11) of the outlet element (7) is realized and a free flow path from the inlet opening (10) into the valve interior (3) is always maintained for the aerosol.

[0068] The valve housing (2) is attached to the opening of the aerosol container (17) by means of a fastening element (6) designed as a clamping ring, which engages with projections behind corresponding detents of the connecting structure (18) on the outside of the neck of the aerosol container (17) and thereby positively connects the valve (1) to the aerosol container (17). The clamping ring presses down on the upper part (2a) of the valve housing (1).

[0069] The connecting structure (18) is realized as a rib circumferentially around the neck of the aerosol container (17), which has on its upper side a sliding surface sloping obliquely outwards and an edge adjoining the equilateral surface, behind which the rib ends.

[0070] A spray head (15) is mounted on the valve (1), which has a nozzle (not shown) for dispensing the aerosol and is connected to the aerosol line of the outlet element (7). The spray head (15) is connected to the outlet element (7) via a pressure plate, so that pressure from above on the spray head (15) can be transmitted to the outlet element (7) to move it relative to the first sealing element (8) into the open position of the valve (1).

[0071] In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a removable cap (16) is attached to the spray head (15). This cap (16) is optional and not included in all embodiments of the invention.

[0072] In Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a spring element (4) designed as a disc spring of a valve (1) according to the invention for aerosol containers (17) in a view from below. The disc spring has a circular opening (19) in the center.

[0073] In Fig. 3 is the one in Fig. Figure 2 shows a section of the spring element (4) along the axis AA. The cone of the spring element (4) has a height H, a diameter D and a wall thickness S.

[0074] Fig. Figure 4 shows a cutaway view of an aerosol container (17) according to the invention, having a valve (1) according to the invention as described above.

[0075] The aerosol container (17) has an externally circumferential connecting structure (18) in its neck area, behind which the fastening element (6) of the valve (1), designed as a clamping ring, engages.

[0076] In Fig. Figure 5 shows a cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of a valve (1) according to the invention. The valve (1) has a retaining element (22) for fixing the first sealing element (8) in a defined position. This position of the first sealing element (8) is defined such that, in the basic position of the valve (1), the first sealing element (8) seals the aerosol line (9) implemented in the outlet element (7).

[0077] Furthermore, the illustrated embodiment of a valve (1) has a two-part fastening element (6) comprising an inner clamping ring and an outer tension ring (21). The two-part design of the fastening element (6), with a thinner inner clamping ring (which is therefore more flexible) and a dimensionally stable outer tension ring (21), enables improved securing of the valve (1) to an aerosol container (17).

[0078] PET is preferably used as the material for the retaining element (22) and the clamping ring (21).

[0079] In further embodiments of the invention, the retaining element (22) and the two-part design of the fastening element (6) are either present or absent independently of each other.

[0080] Fig.Figure 6 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a retaining element (22). In the illustrated embodiment, the shape of the retaining element (22) is adapted to be inserted into the valve interior (3) between the valve housing (2) and the spring element (4). In the illustrated embodiment, this is achieved by a hollow, truncated cone-shaped base body with an inwardly curved side surface. The upper surface of the retaining element (22) is designed to support the first sealing element (5), while the lower surface of the retaining element (22) is designed to support it against the bottom of the valve interior (3). This clamps the first sealing element (5) between the retaining element (22) and the valve housing (2) and fixes it in the defined position.

[0081] The circumferential wall of the retaining element (22) has elongated openings extending from the underside to the top, each at a distance from the respective end of the base body. A plurality of such openings are arranged at regular intervals around the circumference. In this and similar embodiments of the retaining element (22), these openings ensure that, regardless of the valve position, a flow channel for the aerosol is always provided and that the valve interior (3) is not undesirably additionally sealed, for example, by a spring element (4) lying tightly against the inside of the retaining element (22).

Claims

[1] Valve (1) for an aerosol container (17), the valve (1) comprising a fastening element (6) for fastening the valve (1) to an aerosol container (17), a valve housing (2), an outlet element (7), a spring element (4) and at least one sealing element (8), wherein a valve interior (3) is formed in the valve housing (2), further comprising an inlet opening (10) which connects the valve interior (3) to the interior of the aerosol container (17) in a state mounted on an aerosol container (17), wherein an aerosol line (9) is integrated into the outlet element (7) and wherein a closed basic state of the valve (1) is maintained by means of the spring element (4) arranged in the valve interior (3), characterized by , that the spring element (4) is designed as a disc spring and is made of thermoplastic material. [2] Valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the spring element (4) is made of at least one thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). [3] Valve (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized by , that the entire valve (1) is made of thermoplastic materials. [4] Valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the spring element (4) is made of TPE and the valve housing (2) and the fastening element (6) are made of PET. [5] Valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that at least one fluid opening and / or at least one recess in the body of the spring element (4) is realized in such a way that an aerosol can flow from the inlet opening (10) to the aerosol channel (9) in the outlet element (7) regardless of the degree of compression of the spring element (4). [6] Valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the diameter of the disc spring is smaller than the inner diameter of the valve housing (2) even when compressed, so that the aerosol can always flow past the outside of the spring element (4). [7] Valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that this has a rib-like structure (13) at the bottom of the valve interior (3), so that channels (14) for guiding the aerosol under the spring element (4) are formed at the bottom of the valve (1) between the ribs (13), which are open regardless of the degree of compression of the spring element (4). [8] Valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that a mechanical stop is provided in the bottom area of ​​the valve interior (3) below the spring element (4) which prevents complete compression of the spring element (4), in particular flattening of a spring element (4) designed as a disc spring. [9] Valve (1) according to claims 7 and 8, characterized by, that the mechanical stop is realized by the contour of the rib-like structure (13) on the bottom of the valve interior (3) such that at least one of the ribs (13) rises towards the center of the valve interior (3). [10] Valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by , that this has a first sealing element (8) in or on the valve interior (3) which in the basic state of the valve (1) is positioned between the inlet opening (10) and the aerosol channel (9) in the outlet element (7) such that the aerosol channel (9) is sealed against the inlet opening (10). [11] Valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by, that this has a second sealing element (5) which is arranged on the valve housing (2) such that, in a state of the valve (1) being mounted on an aerosol container (17), it is positioned between the valve housing (2) and the neck of the aerosol container (17), so that a seal is realized between the valve housing (2) and the aerosol container (17). [12] Valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by , that the fastening element (6) has a clamping ring and a tension ring (21). [13] Aerosol container (17), characterized by that it has a valve (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

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