VALVE PLATE FOR PRESSURE TANKS

Description

DOMAINE DE L'INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a valve cup for a pressure vessel, as well as a valve made up of such a cup. ÉTAT DE LA TECHNIQUE

[0002] Valve cups are commonly used for pressure vessels, particularly aerosol generators. A valve body is attached to the cup, forming an internal chamber containing a spring, a seal, and at least part of the valve itself between them. The spring pushes the valve against the seal, thus closing the valve.

[0003] US patent 6,296,156 B1 discloses a mounting device for mounting a valve on a container and dispenser containing a pressurized product equipped with such a mounting device. The mounting device comprises: a first fastening device configured to fix the mounting device to an open edge of the container; a second fastening device configured to fix the dispensing valve to the mounting device; a first groove formed between the first and second fastening devices; and a locking device intended to be placed in the first groove so as to allow the first fastening device to be clamped to the open edge, wherein the clamping action results from the radial enlargement of a bottom of the first groove.

[0004] Document WO 2017 / 021038 A1 discloses a valve cup for use with a container for dispensing a fluid stored under pressure. The valve cup supports a valve and seals an opening in the container and is made of semi-crystalline polyester. The document also discloses a container in which at least a portion of the container surrounding an opening is made of semi-crystalline polyester. Another valve cup is made of a metallic or rigid material and further includes a polyester coating. Dispensing systems, including the above-mentioned containers and valve cups, are provided in which welding is facilitated between the container and the valve cups.

[0005] US patent 2019 / 161268 A1 discloses a fluid dispensing system for distributing a fluid stored under pressure. The system includes a container for storing the fluid under pressure, the container having a neck that defines an opening. A valve cup supporting a valve closes the opening of the container. The valve cup is attached to the container by an adhesive layer between the valve cup and the neck of the container, thus sealing the container. EXPOSÉ DE L'INVENTION

[0006] The valve cup is generally attached to the neck of a container by expansion, a fastening method that involves creating an expansion of the valve cup by mandrel or hydraulic pressure, resulting in plastic deformation of the valve cup. This deformation allows the cup to take on a shape that closely matches the internal shape of the container neck and is thus secured to said neck. The inventor realized that the plastic deformation during expansion is difficult to control and that the deformation does not always occur only in the immediate vicinity of the neck but also in other parts of the valve cup. This leads to a loss of mechanical resistance to pressure in the container and a risk of failure of the weld between the valve body and the valve cup.

[0007] The objective of some embodiments is to design a valve cup which, when fixed to the pressure vessel, for example by expansion, allows better control of plastic deformation, and in particular to protect the central part of the cup, in addition to protecting the attachment between the valve body and the valve cup.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, a valve cup for a pressure vessel is proposed, having an inner face oriented towards the inside of the vessel and an outer face. The cup is provided with a peripheral deformable mounting area configured to fix the cup to the vessel, a central opening configured to allow the passage of a product outlet stem, and a bottom wall surrounding the central opening, comprising a peripheral descending portion and a central portion. The bottom wall includes a central portion having a protective zone configured to limit the deformation of the central portion when the deformable mounting area of ​​the cup is deformed to fix the cup to the vessel. The protective zone includes an ascending and / or descending wall that protrudes from the peripheral descending portion.The height of the peripheral descending portion is greater than the height of the ascending and / or descending wall. The height is measured parallel to the central axis of the valve cup.

[0009] In this way, when the cup is attached to the container, for example by flaring its neck, the protective zone limits the deformation of the central part, while the deformable attachment zone closely conforms to the shape of the neck. Because of the protective zone, the central part does not need to be particularly robust, as it is subjected to less stress when the cup is attached to the container.

[0010] Furthermore, even if the central portion deforms slightly when the cup is attached to the container and / or when the container is pressurized, the angles between the different sections of the bottom wall remain essentially the same. In particular, the negative angle of the peripheral descending section remains essentially the same, which helps to limit the loss of mechanical resistance to pressure within the container. Indeed, in a traditional valve cup, this angle can decrease in absolute value, approaching zero, or even become positive, due to the deformation of the valve cup, which leads to a loss of mechanical resistance to pressure in the container.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the central part is provided with a flat wall surrounded by the protection zone, including the central opening and configured to receive a valve body on the inner face.

[0012] In other words, the inner face of the valve cup allows for the attachment of a valve body to the cup, notably by bonding or welding the valve body to the flat surface of the central part of the cup. Welding can be carried out by any suitable method, including ultrasonic or rotary welding. Thus, by limiting deformation of the central part, the protective zone safeguards the connection between the valve body and the valve cup, preventing the valve body from detaching from the cup.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the deformable fixing zone includes a deformable descending wall, preferably with an essentially vertical slope, and a support edge.

[0014] The deformable downward wall can be substantially cylindrical or slightly truncated conical. It serves two purposes: firstly, to move the central opening away from the end of the deformable mounting area, thus making the cavity defined by the cup deeper; and secondly, to secure the cup to the neck of the container, particularly in the case of tube expansion. The deformable mounting area allows the cup to be placed on the neck of the container. The outer diameter of the cup may be larger than the diameter of the neck to prevent the cup from falling into the container. In the case of tube expansion cups, the neck of the container is generally rolled, and the deformable mounting area surrounds the inner part of the neck. In this case, the deformable mounting area closely conforms to the shape of the neck by enveloping its inner portion.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, when the rising and / or falling wall corresponds to a rising wall, the rising wall can be configured to surround a fixing ring of a valve body.

[0016] The ascending and / or descending wall can be substantially cylindrical or slightly frustoconical. It serves two purposes: firstly, to isolate the central portion from the deformable mounting area; and secondly, it acts as a centering device to align the valve body, particularly when the valve body crown is fixed to the inner face of the flat wall of the central portion. Thus, the ascending and / or descending wall protects the connection between the valve body crown and the valve cup by limiting deformation of the central portion, especially the flat wall of the central portion, and thereby preventing the valve body from detaching from the valve cup.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the bottom wall includes an elbow between the peripheral descending part and the rising and / or descending wall.

[0018] This bend makes it possible to discontinuous the junction between the peripheral descending part and the central part, and thus to protect the central part by limiting the deformation of the central part when fixing the cup on the container, but also to maintain the negative angle of the peripheral descending part at a substantially constant value before and after fixing the cup on the container.

[0019] According to an example embodiment, the rising and / or falling wall is a rising wall, and an angle between the peripheral falling part and the rising wall is less than 90°, preferably between 50° and 85°, more preferably between 60° and 80°.

[0020] According to another example of an embodiment, the rising and / or falling wall is a falling wall, and an angle between the peripheral falling part and the falling wall is greater than 90°, preferably between 95° and 140°, more preferably between 100° and 120°.

[0021] Thus, whether the wall mentioned in the two examples of embodiment above is ascending or descending, said wall makes it possible to isolate the central part from the deformable fixing area, and therefore to protect the fixing between the crown of the valve body and the valve cup by limiting the deformation of the central part.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the bottom wall includes a rolled edge forming a raised edge surrounding the central opening. The edge of the bottom wall surrounding the central opening may be in line with the rising and / or falling wall when this rising and / or falling wall is frustoconical or, if the bottom wall includes a flat wall, in line with said flat wall.

[0023] It can be useful to roll up the edge of the bottom wall surrounding the central opening to prevent the rim of the cup at the central opening from coming into contact with, for example, any remaining product from the pressure vessel that may have fallen into the cup. This can be achieved by rolling up the edge of the bottom wall surrounding the central opening, preferably on the outer face of the cup. This way, the rim of the cup surrounding the central opening is positioned at a distance from, and preferably above, the bottom wall.

[0024] According to one example of an embodiment, the edge is turned up once on the outside side of the cup, and a second time on the inside side of the cup.

[0025] This design prevents the product outlet stem from being accidentally welded to the upturned edge, since the outlet stem is in contact with the outer face of the cup rather than its inner face. Furthermore, in the case of a metallic outer face, corrosion of the upturned edge is prevented by the presence of an annular valve seal around the central opening, thus increasing the cup's lifespan and ensuring a tight seal between the cup and the valve body.

[0026] According to an example of an embodiment in which the central part is provided with a flat wall as described above, the edge forms, with respect to the flat wall, an angle between 70° and 110°, preferably between 80° and 100°.

[0027] According to one example of an embodiment, the peripheral descending part includes a concave outer face.

[0028] The shape of the peripheral descending section can be such that its inner face is convex, and therefore its outer face is concave. In this way, the cup better withstands the pressure within the container. Furthermore, in the case of a cup made of a polymer material or entirely of this material, vertical and radial reinforcing ribs on at least one face of the cup, preferably the outer face, can be provided to strengthen it.

[0029] According to one example of an embodiment, the concave outer face has a radius of curvature between 4 and 20 mm, preferably between 5 and 15 mm.

[0030] According to another example of an embodiment, the peripheral descending part comprises a flat frustoconical outer face.

[0031] The inclination of the truncated cone section allows, on the one hand, for the central opening to be moved further away from the deformable mounting area and, on the other hand, enables the cup to withstand the pressure within the container. The inclination of the truncated cone section can be chosen according to this pressure and the desired distance between the central opening and the deformable mounting area, in other words, the depth of the cup cavity.

[0032] According to yet another example of an embodiment, the peripheral descending part comprises a first portion of a concave outer face and a second portion of a flat frustoconical outer face.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the deformable fixing zone has a height at least three times greater than the height of the peripheral descending part.

[0034] According to an example of an embodiment in which the central part is provided with a flat wall as described above and in which the protection zone includes a rising and / or falling wall as described above, the flat wall forms, with respect to the rising and / or falling wall, an angle of between 70° and 110°, preferably between 80° and 100°.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the end of the deformable fixing zone is substantially horizontal.

[0036] In other words, the deformable attachment area, particularly the support edge, does not collapse down into an outer skirt after reaching its apex. This saves material by eliminating the annular cavity traditionally used to wrap around the container neck beyond the apex.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment, the deformable fixing zone includes a frustoconical part.

[0038] This truncated conical part has the particular advantage of facilitating the attachment of the cup to the neck of the pressure vessel.

[0039] According to a second aspect of the invention, a valve is proposed consisting of a cup according to one of the embodiments described above, and a valve body with a product outlet stem, the valve body being fixed on the inner face of the cup, with the stem passing through the central opening of the cup.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the valve body is welded or glued to the inner face of the central part of the bottom wall.

[0041] Where the protective zone surrounds a valve body mounting ring, the annular edge (upper face) of the mounting ring is preferably provided with at least one additional piece of material extending completely around the ring. This material acts as an energy conductor during the ultrasonic welding of the valve body to the valve cup. In this way, the protective zone safeguards the connection between the valve body and the valve cup, thus preventing the valve body from detaching from the valve cup.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment, the valve body comprises a spring, a valve, and a valve seal.

[0043] The spring pushes the valve against the seal, thus closing the valve. The seal between the cup and the valve body is therefore ensured by the valve seal being compressed against the inner face of the cup, forming an annular seal all around the central opening. The weld at the interface between the retaining ring and the cup does not need to be watertight. It only needs to hold the valve body against the cup against the spring force and ensure proper contact of the valve seal against the inner face of the cup. Therefore, it is possible for the weld to be non-continuous.

[0044] According to a third aspect of the invention, a valve cup for a pressure vessel is proposed, having an inner face oriented towards the inside of the vessel and an outer face. The cup is provided with a peripheral deformable mounting area configured to fix the cup to the vessel, a central opening configured to allow the passage of a product outlet stem, and a bottom wall surrounding the central opening, comprising a peripheral descending portion and a central portion. The central portion includes a rising and / or descending wall that protrudes from the peripheral descending portion.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, when the rising and / or falling wall corresponds to a rising wall, the rising wall is configured to surround a fixing ring of a valve body.

[0046] Those skilled in the art will understand that the advantages described above in relation to the valve cup according to the aforementioned embodiments and which are the subject of the first aspect of the invention also apply to the valve cup which is the subject of the third aspect of the invention.

[0047] The objective of other embodiments is to design a valve cup that is economical to manufacture and which, when attached to a valve body, for example by welding, allows for better alignment of the central opening of the valve cup and the internal chamber of the valve body.

[0048] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a valve cup for a pressure vessel is proposed, having an inner face oriented towards the inside of the vessel and an outer face. The cup is provided with a peripheral deformable mounting area configured for securing the cup to the vessel, a central opening configured to allow the passage of a product outlet stem, and a bottom wall surrounding the central opening, comprising a peripheral descending portion and a central portion. The central portion is provided with a centering means configured to allow the centering of a valve body when the valve body is fixed to the inner face of the central portion.

[0049] In this way, when the cup is fixed to the valve body, the centering means allows the valve body to be centered so that the central opening of the valve cup is aligned with the internal chamber of the valve body.

[0050] According to one example of an embodiment, the centering means is a continuous peripheral wall formed in the central part.

[0051] According to another example of an embodiment, the centering means is composed of a plurality of protrusions spaced apart from each other.

[0052] This saves material by eliminating the material that would be used if the centering method were continuous. Even more material can be saved by reducing the number of protrusions and / or their dimensions.

[0053] According to a preferred embodiment, the central part is provided with a flat wall including the central opening and surrounded by the centering means, configured to receive on the inner face a valve body.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the centering means is a protection zone configured to limit the deformation of the central part during the deformation of the deformable fixing zone of the cup to fix the cup on the container.

[0055] According to one example of an embodiment, the centering means is a rising wall that protrudes from the peripheral descending part.

[0056] The rising wall can be approximately cylindrical or slightly frustoconical. It serves as a centering device to align the valve body, particularly when the valve body's crown is fixed to the inner face of the flat wall of the central portion. The valve body can occupy the cavity space defined by the rising wall and the central portion of the base wall on the inner face, ensuring it is centered before being attached to the valve cup.

[0057] A person skilled in the art will understand that the centering means which is the subject of the fourth aspect of the invention can be combined with all embodiments of the first or third aspect of the invention. BRÈVE DESCRIPTION DES FIGURES

[0058] These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings showing examples of embodiments of the invention. Identical numbers refer to identical features in all drawings. There Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of a male-type valve equipped with a cup according to an embodiment of the invention; The Figures 2A et 2B respectively illustrate a cross-sectional and perspective view of the valve body of the valve Figure 1 and the male valve stem; The Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the valve of the Figure 1 ; There Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional and perspective view of the valve cup of the Figure 1 ; There Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a female-type valve equipped with a cup according to an embodiment of the invention; The Figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a high-flow valve equipped with a cup according to an embodiment of the invention; The Figure 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a male-type valve equipped with a cup according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; The Figures 8A And 8B illustrate a cross-sectional view of a cup according to an embodiment of the invention before expansion ( Figure 8A ) and after swaging ( Figure 8B ) ; THE Figures 9A And 9B illustrate a cross-sectional view of a cup according to an alternative embodiment of the invention before expansion ( Figure 9A ) and after swaging ( Figure 9B ) ; There Figure 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the valve of the Figure 1 bulged onto a container; The Figures 11A et 11B illustrate a cross-sectional view of a cup according to two alternative embodiments of the invention; The Figures 12A et 12B illustrate a cross-sectional view of a cup according to two alternative embodiments of the invention; and The Figures 13A à 13C illustrate a cross-sectional view of a male type valve equipped with a cup including a centering means. EXPOSÉ DÉTAILLÉ DE L'INVENTION

[0059] There Figure 1 schematically illustrates an exploded view of a male type valve equipped with a cup according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0060] There Figure 1 illustrates a valve cup for a valve 1 intended for a pressure vessel. The valve 1 consists mainly of a cup 50 and a valve body 10 in which are placed a spring 20, a valve 30 and a valve seal 40.

[0061] The valves are hermetically sealed by a valve 30 which must be separated from the valve seal 40 to allow the product to exit the valve. The product leaves the valve 1 through a small tube, called a stem, which passes through a central opening in the cup.

[0062] Valve 1 can be used in any position. In the figures illustrating this application, the valve is shown with the stem or the female valve access opening facing upwards. The terms "top" / "bottom" or "upper" / "lower" are only relative to the representations in the accompanying figures. It is understood that the valve can be used in any position and that what is at the top in the position shown here will not necessarily be so in use. Furthermore, the valve extends longitudinally with respect to a principal axis A, which is vertical in the representations in the accompanying figures. The terms "radial," "axial," and "transverse" refer to this principal axis A.

[0063] As with any cup valve, the cup 50 forms a partition between the side of the valve intended to be placed inside the container and the other side intended to be outside the container. The terms "inside" and "outside" refer to the elements located on the inside or outside of the cup. The terms "internal" and "external" refer to a particular component (in particular the valve body) and define what is inside or outside that component, regardless of whether it is located on the inside or outside of the cup.

[0064] THE Figures 2A et 2B schematically illustrate respectively a cross-sectional and perspective view of the valve body of the valve Figure 1 and the male valve stem.

[0065] The valve body 10 consists primarily of a tubular body 11 partially closed at one end, called the lower end, by a bottom wall 12 having an inlet opening 121. The tubular body 11 and the bottom wall 12 together define an internal chamber 13. Vertical ribs 131 may be provided in the bottom of the internal chamber, near the bottom wall. These ribs project radially from the tubular body towards the center of the internal chamber, forming a receiving space in which one end of the spring 20 can be received and retained radially. A retaining lug 14 may be provided on the outer face of the bottom wall 12 for securing, for example, a dip tube or anti-sag means. This lug 14 is tubular in shape and surrounds the inlet opening 121.

[0066] To save material, it is preferable for the wall of the tubular body 11 to narrow in the section bearing the vertical ribs 131. In particular, this section may be frustoconical. Thus, the tubular body 11 and the internal chamber 13 essentially consist of a cylindrical upper section extending downwards into a narrowing (here frustoconical) section closed at the bottom by the bottom wall 12. In valve bodies of the prior art, the tubular wall and the internal chamber remain cylindrical up to the bottom wall. This narrowed section helps to reduce the manufacturing cost of the valves of the invention. At least one opening 112 may be provided in the tubular body 11, which opening forms a passage connecting the external and internal faces of the tubular body. This opening, which is not mandatory, serves as an additional gas intake to improve the quality of the spray.

[0067] The second end of the tubular body 11 terminates in a tapered edge 111. This edge is surrounded by a retaining ring 15, which consists of a tubular wall connected to the second end of the tubular body by a transverse wall 151. This transverse wall is, for example, parallel to a plane perpendicular to the main axis A. It can be solid, as in the present example, or serrated if it is not necessary to ensure a seal between the two faces of this transverse wall. The annular edge (upper face) 152 of the retaining ring 15 is preferably provided with at least one excess material extending completely around the ring and serving as an energy director during the ultrasonic welding of the valve body onto the cup. In the example shown here, there are two rings of excess material 152a, 152b.

[0068] The stem 30 is of a common shape. It consists of a cylindrical wall 31 open at its upper end 311 and closed at its lower end, forming a product outlet channel. One or more orifices 312 located at the bottom of the outlet channel pass radially through the cylindrical wall to bring the inner and outer faces of said cylindrical wall 31 into contact. The cylindrical wall 31 constitutes the product outlet stem. This cylindrical wall continues as the valve portion, which includes a larger-diameter ring 32 having vertical channels or ribs on its outer face, allowing the product to flow around the ring. The outer shell of this ring has a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular body 11 of the valve body so that it can enter the valve while being guided.On its upper annular face, the crown 32 is provided with a sealing rib 321 to ensure sealing with the valve seal 40. The crown 32 continues downwards with a guide tenon 33 intended to cooperate with the second end of the spring 20. The seat of the female valves and the grommet of the high-flow valves are also of a common shape.

[0069] There Figure 3 illustrates schematically a cross-sectional view of the valve of the Figure 1 . There Figure 4 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional and perspective view of the valve cup of the Figure 1 .

[0070] The valve cup 50 for a pressurized container 60 has an inner face 501 oriented towards the inside of the container 60 and an outer face 502. The valve cup 50 is provided with a peripheral deformable mounting area 51 configured to fix the cup 50 to the container (not shown, see element 60 of the Figure 10 ), of a central opening 52 configured to allow the passage of a product outlet rod, and of a bottom wall 56 surrounding the central opening 52, and comprising a peripheral descending part 562 and a central part 561. The bottom wall 56 includes a central part 561 provided with a protective zone configured to limit the deformation of the central part 561 during the deformation of the deformable fixing zone 51 of the cup to fix the cup on the container 60.

[0071] The central portion 561 may be provided with a flat wall 565 surrounded by the protective zone, including the central opening 52 and configured to receive a valve body 10 on its inner face 501. The deformable mounting zone 51 may include a deformable downward wall 513, preferably with a predominantly vertical slope, and a bearing edge 511. The deformable downward wall 513 may be substantially cylindrical as illustrated in Figures 3 And 4 , or slightly frustoconical. It allows on the one hand to move the central opening 52 away from the end of the deformable fixing zone 51 by helping to make the cavity 503 defined by the cup 50 deeper, and on the other hand to fix the cup 50 to the neck 61 of the container 60, in particular in the case of flaring.

[0072] The protection zone includes a rising and / or falling wall 563 configured to surround a fixing ring 15 of a valve body 10, as illustrated in the Figure 3 The rising and / or falling wall 563 protrudes from the peripheral falling portion 562. The rising and / or falling wall can be substantially cylindrical as illustrated in Figures 3 And 4 , or slightly frustoconical. It allows, on the one hand, the isolation of the central part 561 from the deformable fixing zone 51, and on the other hand, it serves as a centering means to center the valve body 10, particularly when the crown 15 of the valve body 10 is fixed to the inner face 501 of the flat wall 565 of the central part 561. Indeed, the valve body 10 can occupy the space of the cavity defined by the rising wall 563 and the flat wall 565 on the side of the inner face 501 so as to be centered before being fixed to the valve cup 50.

[0073] The bottom wall 56 may include an elbow 566 (cf. Figure 4 ) between the peripheral descending part 562 and the rising and / or descending wall 563. The rising and / or descending wall 563 may correspond to a rising wall 563 as illustrated in Figures 3 And 4 An angle α between the peripheral descending part 562 and the rising wall 563 may be less than 90°, preferably between 50° and 85°, more preferably between 60° and 80°. This angle α is measured from the side of the outer face 502.

[0074] The bottom wall 56 may include a rolled edge 564 surrounding the central opening 52. The edge 564 of the bottom wall 56 surrounding the central opening 52 may be an extension of the flat wall 565. The edge 564 may form an angle β with the flat wall 565 of between 70° and 110°, preferably between 80° and 100°. This angle β is measured from the outer face 502.

[0075] The peripheral descending portion 562 may include a flat frustoconical outer face as illustrated in Figures 3 And 4 The deformable fixing zone 51 may have a height at least three times greater than the height of the peripheral descending portion 562. The height is measured parallel to the principal axis A. The height of the peripheral descending portion 562 is greater than the height of the rising and / or descending wall 563, as illustrated in the Figure 3 Alternatively, the height of the peripheral descending section 562 may be less than the height of the rising and / or descending wall 563, as illustrated in the Figure 4 .

[0076] As illustrated in the Figure 4 The flat wall 565 can form, with respect to the rising and / or falling wall 563, an angle between 70° and 110°, preferably between 80° and 100°. This angle is measured on the side of the inner face 501.

[0077] The end of the deformable fixing zone 51 may be substantially horizontal. The peripheral end of the deformable fixing zone 51 may be in the form of a flat ring as illustrated in Figures 3 And 4 and / or a ring whose wall is inclined towards the center of the cup 50. In other words, the end of the deformable fixing zone 51 does not fall back down after reaching its highest point.

[0078] The deformable descending wall 513 can, for example, be frustoconical as illustrated in Figures 3 And 4, or partially toroidal. Its inner face 501 preferably has substantially the dimensions and shape of the neck 61 of the container 60 for which it is intended. In other words, the deformable attachment zone 51, in particular the bearing edge 511, does not descend in the form of an outer skirt after reaching its apex. The deformable attachment zone 51 may include a frustoconical portion 512. This frustoconical portion 512 has the particular advantage of facilitating the attachment of the cup 50 to the neck of the container (not shown, see elements 60 and 61 of the Figure 10 ).

[0079] The cup 50 can be made entirely of polymer. It is also possible for it to consist, as in the present example, of an outer metallic layer 53 and an inner polymer layer 54. For example, a metal-polymer laminate could be chosen. In particular, a laminate of 0.25 mm steel and 200 µm PP is especially well-suited to the invention. The inner face 501 of the cup can be provided with a layer 54 that can serve as a sealing gasket. For example, this layer 54 can be made of polymer, preferably polypropylene or another polyolefin (PE, PET, TPE), virgin, recycled, or bio-based, food-grade or non-food-grade, pharmaceutical-grade or non-pharmaceutical-grade. This allows it to serve as a gasket if the cup is attached to the container 60 by expansion, and also to allow a valve body to be welded to the inner face of the cup.In such a case, the seal is achieved primarily at the interface between the inner face and the inside of the neck at the flared end. Therefore, it is not necessary to exert as much force on the cup during flared end as when a specific seal is provided between the cup and the neck of the container. The outer face 502 of the cup can be provided with a metallic layer 53, preferably made of aluminum or tinplate. This allows the cup to be secured by flared end. Furthermore, this metallic layer gives the cup sufficient rigidity to withstand the pressure within the pressurized container 60. If necessary, reinforcing ribs can be provided on at least one face of the cup, preferably the outer face.

[0080] A space may be provided between the valve cup 50 and the fixing ring 15 of the valve body 10, as illustrated in the Figure 3 This space has the particular advantage of allowing the fixing ring 15 to vibrate freely during the welding of the valve body 10 onto the valve cup 50.

[0081] There Figure 5 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a female-type valve equipped with a cup according to an embodiment of the invention, showing on the left a cup with a rolled central edge and on the right a cup with a plain central edge. Figure 6 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a high-flow type valve equipped with a cup according to an embodiment of the invention, showing on the left a cup with a rolled central edge and on the right a cup with a simple central edge.

[0082] Similar components have been indicated by the same reference numbers as in previous embodiments and will not be described again.

[0083] The implementation methods presented to Figures 3 ,7 , 10 And 13 correspond to male-type valves in which the valve is an integral part of the stem 30, part of whose stem 31 protrudes from the valve. As shown in the Figure 5 The invention can also be applied to a female-type valve having a valve seat located in the valve body 10 and actuated by an external stem (generally that of a diffuser) entering the valve through the central opening 52. The invention can also be used for a high-flow valve such as the one illustrated in the Figure 6 .

[0084] There Figure 7 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a male type valve equipped with a cup according to an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the central part comprises a rising wall followed by a truncated conical descending wall, showing on the left a cup with a rolled central edge and on the right a cup with a simple central edge.

[0085] As illustrated in the Figure 7 The rising and / or falling wall 563 may comprise a first rising wall that protrudes from the peripheral falling portion 562, followed by a frustoconical falling wall. The central edge 564 of the bottom wall 56 that surrounds the central opening 52 may be located in the extension of the frustoconical falling wall.

[0086] THE Figures 8A And 8B schematically illustrate a cross-sectional view of a cup according to an embodiment of the invention before expansion ( Figure 8A ) and after swaging ( Figure 8B ).

[0087] As illustrated in Figures 8A And 8B The peripheral descending portion 562 may include a flat frustoconical outer face 502. When the cup 50 is fixed to the container 60, for example by flaring its neck 61, the protective zone limits the deformation of the central portion 561, while the deformable fixing zone 51 substantially conforms to the shape of the neck 61, as illustrated by the shape that the cup 50 takes after flaring. Figure 8B compared to the one it had before the expansion at the Figure 8A .

[0088] The peripheral descending portion 562 can have a negative angle δ, in other words, a descent angle, of between 10 and 30 degrees, preferably between 15 and 25 degrees. Even if the central portion 561 deforms slightly when the cup 50 is attached to the container 60 and / or when the container 60 is pressurized, the angles between the different portions of the bottom wall 56 remain substantially the same. In particular, as shown in Figures 8A And 8B , the negative angle δ of the peripheral descending part 562 remains substantially the same after expansion, which helps to limit the loss of mechanical resistance to pressure within the container 60.

[0089] With reference to Figures 8A And 8B , the edge 564 can be turned up once on the side of the outer face 502 of the cup 50, and a second time on the side of the inner face 501 of the cup 50.

[0090] THE Figures 9A And9B schematically illustrate a cross-sectional view of a cup according to an alternative embodiment of the invention before expansion ( Figure 9A ) and after swaging ( Figure 9B ).

[0091] As illustrated in Figures 9A And 9B The peripheral descending portion 562 may include a concave outer face 502. In this way, the cup 50 is more resistant to pressure within the container 60. Furthermore, in the case of a cup 50 comprising a polymer material or made entirely of this material, vertical and radial reinforcing ribs on at least one of the faces of the cup, preferably the outer face 502, may be provided to reinforce the cup.

[0092] The concave outer face 502 may have a radius of curvature R of between 4 and 20 mm, preferably between 5 and 15 mm. Even if the central part 561 deforms slightly when the cup 50 is attached to the container 60 and / or when the container 60 is pressurized, the angles between the different portions of the bottom wall 56 remain substantially the same. In particular, as shown in Figures 9A And 9B , the radius of curvature R of the peripheral descending part 562 remains substantially the same before and after expansion, which makes it possible to limit the loss of mechanical resistance to pressure within the container 60.

[0093] The cup can be defined by its dimensions, including the following dimensions: D1 External diameter of the cup 50, measured at the peripheral end of the deformable fixing zone 51; D2 Diameter of the junction between the bearing edge 511 and the frustoconical part 512 of the deformable fixing zone 51; D3 External diameter of the bottom wall 56; D4 External diameter of the flat wall 565; D5 Internal diameter of the flat wall 565; D6 Diameter of the central opening 52; H1 Total height of the cup; H2 Distance between the top of the outer face of the deformable fixing zone 51 and the top of the outer face of the peripheral descending part 562; H3 Distance between the top of the outer face of the deformable fixing zone 51 and the top of the outer face of the deformable descending wall 513.

[0094] The dimension H1 is defined as the distance between the projection onto the central axis A of the top of the outer face of the deformable fixing zone 51 and the projection onto the central axis A of the bottom of the inner face of the peripheral descending part 562.

[0095] The dimension H2 is defined as the distance between the projection onto the central axis A of the apex of the outer face of the deformable fixing zone 51 and the projection onto the central axis A of the apex of the outer face of the peripheral descending part 562.

[0096] The dimension H3 is defined as the distance between the projection onto the central axis A of the apex of the outer face of the deformable fixing zone 51 and the projection onto the central axis A of the apex of the outer face of the deformable descending wall 513.

[0097] The table below shows examples of dimensions: Exemples de dimensions exprimées en mm Cotes Examples of cup beaches Fig. 8A And 9A D1 25,00-35,00 D2 23,00-33,00 D3 21,00-31,00 D4 10,00-14,00 D5 5,00-9,00 D6 3,00-6,00 H1 7,00-13,00 H2 5,00-9,00 H3 2,00-4,00

[0098] Due to the presence of the protective zone, the dimensions of points D4, D5, and D6 remain essentially the same after expansion. Similarly, the angles of the different sections of the bottom wall remain essentially the same after expansion.

[0099] There Figure 10 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the valve of the Figure 1 swaged onto a container.

[0100] The deformable mounting area 51 allows the cup to be placed on the neck 61 of the container 60. The external diameter of the cup D1 may be larger than the diameter of the neck 61 so that the cup does not fall into the container 60. In the case of flared cups, the neck 61 of the container 60 is generally rolled, and the deformable mounting area 51 surrounds the inner part of the neck 61. In this case, the deformable mounting area 51 closely follows the shape of the neck by enveloping the inner part of the neck 61, as illustrated in the Figure 10 .

[0101] THE Figures 11A et 11B schematically illustrate a cross-sectional view of a cup according to two alternative embodiments of the invention.

[0102] The rising and / or falling wall 563a, 563b may comprise a rising wall 563a followed by a falling wall 563b. The falling wall 563b may extend down to the same axial position as the bottom of the rising wall 563a. The rising and / or falling wall 563a, 563b may be vertical as illustrated in the Figure 11A , or a flat truncated cone as illustrated in the Figure 11B The junction between the rising wall 563a and the descending wall 563b can be abrupt, as shown in the Figure 11B .

[0103] Even if in the methods of implementation of Figures 11A et 11B there is only one rising wall 563a and one falling wall 563b, the person skilled in the art will understand that any number of successive rising and / or falling walls 563a, 563b will produce effects similar to those mentioned above.

[0104] THE Figures 12A et 12B schematically illustrate a cross-sectional view of a cup according to two alternative embodiments of the invention.

[0105] As explained above, the rising and / or falling wall 563 serves on the one hand to isolate the central part 561 from the deformable fixing zone 51, and on the other hand, it serves as a centering means to center the valve body 10, in particular in the case of fixing the crown 15 of the valve body 10 on the inner face 501 of the flat wall (565) of the central part 561. These effects can be obtained by different combinations of rising and / or falling wall 563.

[0106] In a first embodiment, the rising and / or falling wall 563 corresponds to a falling wall 563 that protrudes from the peripheral falling part 562, as illustrated in the Figure 12A The angle α between the peripheral descending portion 562 and the descending wall 563, measured from the side of the outer face 502, may be less than 270°, preferably between 230° and 265°, and more preferably between 240° and 260°. The descending wall 563 may be followed by a flat wall 565 including the central opening 52 and configured to receive a valve body 10 on its inner face 501.

[0107] This embodiment has the particular advantage of being able to fix the fixing ring 15 of the valve body 10 when the radial dimension of the fixing ring 15 is greater than the radial dimension of the flat wall 565.

[0108] In a second embodiment, the rising and / or falling wall 563 comprises a first rising wall 563c which protrudes from the peripheral falling portion 562, followed by a flat wall 563d, followed by a second rising wall 563e which protrudes from said flat wall 563d, as illustrated in the Figure 12B The rising and / or falling wall 563 can be followed by a flat wall 565 including the central opening 52 and configured to receive on the inner face 501 a valve body 10.

[0109] A person skilled in the art will understand that other, undescribed combinations of rising and / or falling walls can achieve the advantages described above.

[0110] THE Figures 13A à 13C schematically illustrate a cross-sectional view of a male type valve equipped with a cup including a centering means.

[0111] Similar components have been indicated by the same reference numbers as in previous embodiments and will not be described again.

[0112] As explained above with reference to Figures 3 And 4 , the rising and / or falling wall 563 can serve as a centering means to center the valve body 10, in particular when fixing the crown 15 of the valve body 10 on the inner face 501 of the flat wall 565 of the central part 561.

[0113] Alternatively or additionally, with reference to Figures 13A à 13C , the central part 561 can be provided with a centering means 57 configured to allow the centering of a valve body 10 when the valve body 10 is fixed to the inner face 501 of the central part 561, which makes it possible to obtain the same centering effect as that described in relation to the previous embodiments.

[0114] As illustrated in Figures 13B-13C , the centering means 57 can be combined with the cups of all the preceding embodiments, for example with a cup comprising a rising wall ( Figure 13B ) or with a cup comprising a descending wall ( Figure 13C ).

[0115] The centering means 57 can correspond to a continuous peripheral wall formed in the central part 561. As illustrated in Figure 13A And 13C The centering means 57 can correspond to a downward peripheral protrusion from the central part 561. The radial distance separating the centering means 57 from the main axis A can be greater, preferably by no more than a few millimeters, than the radial distance separating the end of the fixing ring 15 from the main axis A, so that the centering means 57 surrounds the fixing ring 15 when the valve body 10 is fixed to the inner face 501 of the central part 561.

[0116] Alternatively, the centering means 57 can be composed of a plurality of protrusions spaced apart from each other, which saves material by reducing the number of protrusions and / or their dimensions.

[0117] The central part 561 can be provided with a flat wall 565 including the central opening 52 and surrounded by the centering means 57, configured to receive on the inner face 501 a valve body 10.

[0118] The centering means 57 can be a protective zone configured to limit deformation of the central part during deformation of the deformable fixing zone of the cup to fix the cup to the container. As illustrated in the Figure 13BThe centering means 57 can be a rising wall that protrudes from the peripheral descending part 562. The rising wall serves on the one hand as a protective zone by isolating the central part 561 from the deformable fixing zone 51, and on the other hand, it serves as a centering means 57 to center the valve body 10. Indeed, the valve body 10 can occupy the space of the cavity defined by the rising wall 563 and the central part 561 of the bottom wall 56 on the side of the inner face 501 so as to be centered before being fixed to the valve cup 50.

[0119] The height of the centering means 57, defined as the distance between the top of the centering means 57 and the base of the centering means 57, may be less than the height of the fixing ring 15.

[0120] Although the principles of the invention have been set forth above in relation to specific embodiments, it should be understood that this description is merely by way of example and does not constitute a limitation of the scope of protection which is determined by the claims attached below. LIST OF REFERENCES

[0121] 1 Valve according to the invention 10 Valve body 11 Tubular body 111 Tapered edge 112 Passage opening 12 Bottom wall 121 Inlet opening 13 Internal chamber 131 Vertical ribs 14 Tenon 15 Fixing ring 151 Transverse wall 152 Annular slice of the fixing ring 152a Weld overhang 152b Weld overhang 20 Spring 30 Stem 31 Cylindrical wall 311 Lower end 312 Orifices 32 Ring 321 Sealing rib 33 Spring guide tenon 40 Valve seal 50 Cup 501 Inner face of the cup 502 Outer face of the cup 503 Cavity in the outer face of the cup 51 Deformable fixing zone 511 Peripheral support edge 512 Truncated conical section 513 Deformable descending wall 52 Central opening 53 Metallic outer layer 54 Polymer inner layer 56 Bottom wall 561 Central section around the central opening 562 Peripheral descending section 563 Rising and / or descending wall 564 Rolled central edge 565 Flat wall566 Elbow 57 Centering means 60 Container 61 Neck AA Main axis D1 External diameter of the cup D2 Diameter of the junction between the bearing edge 511 and the frustoconical part 512 of the deformable fixing zone 51 D3 Maximum diameter of the peripheral descending part 562 D4 Maximum diameter of the flat wall 565 D5 Minimum diameter of the flat wall 565 D6 Internal diameter of the central opening 52 H1 Total height of the cup H2 Distance between the apex of the deformable fixing zone 51 and the apex of the peripheral descending part 562 H3 Distance between the apex of the deformable fixing zone and the apex of the deformable descending wall 513 R Radius of curvature of the peripheral descending part 562 α Angle between the peripheral descending part 562 and the rising wall and / or descending 563 βAngle between the rolled central edge 564 and the flat wall 565 γAngle between the flat wall 565 and the rising and / or descending wall 563 δDescent angle of the partdescending peripheral 562

Claims

1. A valve cup (50) for a pressure container (60), having an inner face (501) turned towards the inside of the container (60), and an outer face (502), the cup being provided with: a peripheral deformable attachment area (51) configured for attaching the cup onto the container (60), a central opening (52) configured for allowing passage of a product outlet rod, a bottom wall (56) which surrounds the central opening (52) and comprises a peripheral descending part (562) and a central part (561), characterised in that the central part (561) is provided with a protection area configured for limiting the deformation of the central part (561) during the deformation of the deformable attachment area (51) of the cup for attaching the cup onto the container (60), in that the protection area comprises a rising and / or descending wall (563) which protrudes from the peripheral descending part (562) and in that the height of the peripheral descending part (562) is greater than the height of the rising and / or descending wall (563).

2. The valve cup (50) according to claim 1, characterised in that the central part (561) is provided with a planar wall (565) surrounded by the protection area, including the central opening (52) and configured for receiving a valve body (10) on the inner face (501).

3. The valve cup (50) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the deformable attachment area (51) comprises a deformable descending wall (513), preferably with an essentially vertical slope, and a bearing edge (511).

4. The valve cup (50) according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the bottom wall (56) comprises a bend (566) between the peripheral descending part (562) and the rising and / or descending wall (563).

5. The valve cup (50) according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the rising and / or descending wall (563) is a rising wall (563), and in that an angle (α) between the peripheral descending part (562) and the rising wall (563) is less than 90°, preferably between 50° and 85°, more preferably between 60° and 80°.

6. The valve cup (50) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bottom wall (56) comprises a turned-up edge (564) forming a rolled edge surrounding the central opening (52); wherein the edge (564) is preferably rolled up a first time (564a) in the direction of the outer face (502) of the cup, and a second time (564b) in the direction of the inner face (501) of the cup.

7. The valve cup (50) according to claim 2 and claim 6, characterised in that the edge (564) forms an angle (β) of between 70° and 110°, preferably between 80° and 100°, with respect to the planar wall (565).

8. The valve cup (50) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the peripheral descending part (562) comprises a concave outer face; wherein the concave outer face preferably has a radius of curvature of between 4 and 20 mm, more preferably between 5 and 15 mm.

9. The valve cup (50) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the peripheral descending part (562) comprises a planar frustoconical outer face.

10. The valve cup (50) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the deformable attachment area (51) has a height at least three times greater than the height of the peripheral descending part (562).

11. The valve cup (50) according to claim 2, characterised in that the planar wall (565) forms an angle (γ) of between 70° and 110°, preferably between 80° and 100°, with respect to the rising and / or descending wall (563).

12. The valve cup (50) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the end of the deformable attachment area (51) is substantially horizontal; and / or characterised in that the deformable attachment area (51) comprises a frustoconical part (512).

13. A valve (1) consisting of a cup (50) according to one of the preceding claims, and a valve body (10) with a product outlet rod, the valve body being attached to the inner face (501) of the cup, with the rod passing through the central opening of the cup (50).

14. The valve (1) according to claim 13, characterised in that the valve body (10) is welded or glued to the inner face (501) of the central part (561) of the bottom wall (56).

15. The valve (1) according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that the valve body (10) comprises a spring (20), an obturator (30) and a valve seal (40).