Valve for dispensing a liquid or a pasty product with a large outlet

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dispensing valve (10), comprising at least one channel (25) connecting an upstream end (11) of the valve to a product outlet opening, consisting of a stem (20); an elastically deformable plug valve (30), consisting of an upright portion (31) surrounding the stem (20); a plug wall (32); an annular connection zone (33), the plug wall (32) being penetrated by the outlet opening (12) formed in a plug zone (322) that can move between a closed position and an open position, characterised in that the upright portion (31) comprises an attachment zone (312) located in its upstream portion and providing the fixed connection with the stem (20), and an annular deformation zone (313) located in its downstream portion connecting the attachment zone (312) with the downstream end (311) of the upright portion (31); the deformation zone (313) being spaced apart from the stem (20) in any plane P2 perpendicular to the flow axis (X); and the annular connection zone (33) is movable in a radial direction oriented toward the stem (20).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: VALVE FOR DISPENSING A LIQUID OR PASTY PRODUCT WITH A WIDE OPENING

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a valve for dispensing a liquid or pasty product.

[0005] The dispensing valve according to the invention can be mounted on any type of container provided that the user is able to cause the opening of said valve and the dispensing of the product by applying overpressure inside the container.

[0006] The present invention relates in particular to the distribution of pharmaceutical or cosmetic products, but it can equip the container with any fluid or pasty product when it is desired that the product not be in contact with air before being distributed outside the container.

[0007] Technical background

[0008] The operating principle of a dispensing valve is known. The dispensing orifice of the container is housed in the dispensing valve. Access to the dispensing orifice is opened or closed depending on the open or closed position of the valve, the opening of the dispensing valve resulting from an overpressure in the area of ​​the container immediately upstream of said dispensing valve.

[0009] When the pressure balances between said area and atmospheric pressure, a return means causes access to the orifice to close.

[0010] The dispensing valves can be mounted on dispensing tips which are then called “shutter tips”.

[0011] The shutter nozzles can be mounted on containers equipped with a dosing pump ensuring the dosing and distribution of the packaged product.

[0012] In this particular case, the tip is usually an integrated part of a push button allowing the user to operate the dosing pump.

[0013] The invention applies particularly to containers equipped with a so-called "airless" dosing pump, i.e. without air intake, the capacity of the container always remaining identical to the residual volume of the packaged product as the container is emptied.

[0014] These different containers, the operation of the dosing pumps, and their interaction with a dispensing valve are known.

[0015] The relationship between the valve according to the invention and the various constituents of a container equipped with said valve obeys known rules.

[0016] It is therefore not necessary to return to these relationships, having previously admitted that the container and the dispensing valve are connected in such a way that the packaged product can migrate into the dispensing valve under the effect of an overpressure created in a space incorporating the dispensing valve.

[0017] There are two main families of distribution valves, depending on whether the opening of the distribution orifice is obtained by moving a closure means housed in the valve, or by simply deforming this closure means.

[0018] Displacement systems are complex and expensive, while deformation systems are simpler and less expensive, the opening and closing positions of the valve being obtained by simple elastic deformation of the closure means.

[0019] Furthermore, these systems have the advantage of generally being "all plastic" which allows them to be recycled, which, given the applicable environmental constraints, is an advantage which has become an almost necessary condition for marketing. The valve according to the invention belongs to the family of deformation valves. It is composed exclusively of plastic materials and is therefore recyclable.

[0020] Documents WO-A1-2017051127 and FR-A-3041411 both describe an “all-plastic” deformation dispensing valve, the opening and closing positions of the valve being obtained by elastic deformation of the closure means.

[0021] Documents WO-A1-2017051127 and FR-A1-3041411 both describe a dispensing valve which extends axially in the direction of flow from upstream to downstream of the dispensed product, the valve comprising:

[0022] - a rigid end piece in which a cavity is formed, oriented axially along the flow axis of the product from upstream to downstream, open at its upstream and downstream ends;

[0023] - a rod housed in the center of the cavity also oriented along the flow axis of the product;

[0024] - a shut-off valve constituting the shut-off means.

[0025] The shut-off valve comprises an assembly means consisting of a chimney mounted axially in the cavity and surrounding the central rod and a deformable shut-off wall connected to the downstream end of the chimney, oriented in a direction perpendicular to the flow axis, and pierced in its center with the product distribution orifice.

[0026] The valve takes a closed position when the closure wall is resting on the downstream end of the stem, the area of ​​support of the closure wall on the stem blocking access to the orifice, the support being obtained by elastic deformation of the closure flap, said elastic deformation resulting from the assembly of the flap on the stem.

[0027] It assumes an open position when the closure wall is distant from the downstream end of the rod, the space between the closure wall and the end of the rod forming the access passage to the orifice.

[0028] The opening of the passage between the stem and the closure wall is obtained by means of an elongation of the closure wall, elongation allowing the downstream movement along the flow axis of said wall in the vicinity of the orifice, said elongation resulting from an overpressure created inside the valve upstream of the orifice. The closure wall is elastically returned to its position of support on the stem when the overpressure in the valve is insufficient to keep said closure wall at a distance from the stem.

[0029] Documents WO-A1-2017051127 and FR-A1-3041411 have the common characteristic that the chimney is non-deformable under the operating conditions of the valve, i.e. under the overpressure condition known as the “valve trigger threshold” necessary for opening the access passage to the orifice.

[0030] When the overpressure created by the dosage and evacuation of the cream is low, which is the case when the dosages are very low (from 0.15 to 3 milliliters) and when the valve is housed in a cavity of restricted diameter (of the order of 5 mm to 7 mm), the overpressure is insufficient to produce the elongation of the obturation wall necessary for the opening of the valve.

[0031] The present invention eliminates this defect by ensuring the opening of the valve by a radial deformation of the chimney in the direction of the stem, deformation without elongation, therefore activated at an overpressure level in the valve lower than the level which is necessary to lengthen the closure wall.

[0032] Furthermore, the area where the closure wall rests on the stem and the area of ​​the stem on which the closure wall rests constitute the closure area.

[0033] The walls constituting the closure zone can have a radial or conical arrangement, or an axial arrangement relative to the flow axis of the product.

[0034] When these walls have a radial or conical arrangement, the quality of the obturation depends on the precision of the support dimension of the obturation wall on the stem.

[0035] This precision is difficult to control, or even impossible to control when the overpressure triggering the opening of the valve is very low: factors as numerous and diverse as the viscosity of the cream, the atmospheric temperature, the aging of the packaged product, impact this support dimension and can modify the trigger threshold to the point of destroying the valve's closing function under normal operating conditions.

[0036] Despite this defect, the walls constituting the closure zone of the deformation valves according to the prior art have a radial or conical arrangement, this arrangement being imposed by the very small displacement along the flow axis of the closure wall in the vicinity of the orifice.

[0037] Conversely, the valve according to the invention allows a displacement of the closure wall in the vicinity of the orifice much greater than the displacement according to the prior art, this new property allows the walls constituting the closure zone to be arranged along the flow axis of the product.

[0038] In this configuration, the valve is perfectly closed regardless of the precision of the positioning of the closure wall along the flow axis of the product, when the rod passes at least partially through the dispensing orifice. This arrangement provides a much greater security of closure than that of the valves according to the prior art, in the same way that a stopper closes the neck of a bottle regardless of how far the stopper is inserted into the neck.

[0039] Summary of the invention

[0040] The invention proposes a valve for dispensing a liquid or pasty product which extends from upstream to downstream, along a flow axis X of the product, at least one channel formed in the dispensing valve connecting an upstream end of the valve to an outlet orifice of the product, said dispensing valve being constituted:

[0041] - a) a rigid rod arranged axially along the flow axis X;

[0042] - b) a valve for closing the orifice made in a single piece from an elastically deformable material, consisting of:

[0043] - a chimney surrounding the rod, said chimney being connected to said rod by a fixed annular connection; and

[0044] - a closure wall forming an arrangement substantially perpendicular to the flow axis X, an annular connecting zone of the closure valve connecting an annular periphery of the closure wall and a downstream end of the chimney, the closure wall being pierced in its center with the outlet orifice, the orifice being formed in a closure zone of said closure wall, said closure zone being movable between a closed position of the distribution valve towards which it is elastically returned and in which a face of the closure zone forming the outlet orifice is in sealed contact with a downstream free end of the rod, and an open position of said valve in which the face is distant from said free end.

[0045] The chimney comprises an annular fixing zone located in its upstream part, said annular fixing zone ensuring the fixed annular connection with the rod, and an annular deformation zone located in its downstream part, said annular deformation zone connecting the annular fixing zone and the downstream end of said chimney.

[0046] The annular deformation zone is distant from the rod in any plane P2 perpendicular to the flow axis X.

[0047] The annular connecting zone is movable in a radial direction oriented towards the rod. Advantageously, the annular periphery of the closure wall is in the form of a circle with a radius of a length R1 and the downstream free end of the rod is in the form of a circle with a radius of a length R2 in at least one plane P3 perpendicular to the flow axis X.

[0048] The deformation zone extends along a length L1 along the flow axis X and the length L1 is equal to at least 15% of a length (R1-R2).

[0049] Advantageously, the closure wall has a downstream face that is flat or in the shape of a convex truncated sphere.

[0050] The chimney has a first wall thickness e1 in the annular deformation zone and the closure wall has a second thickness e2 in an intermediate zone between the closure zone and the annular connection zone, the thickness e2 being measured in a direction perpendicular to the downstream face at the measurement observation point. Preferably, the thickness e1 is less than 150% of the thickness e2.

[0051] Furthermore, the closure zone has an average thickness e3 measured in a direction perpendicular to the downstream face at the observation point of the measurement. Preferably the thickness e3 is greater than 150% of the thickness e2.

[0052] The face forming the outlet orifice is included in a third thickness e3 of the closure zone.

[0053] In a first version of the invention, the free end is conical in shape with a large upstream base and a small downstream base, the cone having an angle a (alpha) greater than 10° (ten degrees of angle) with the flow axis and the face forming the outlet orifice has, along the flow axis X, a conical shape complementary to the downstream free end, arranged opposite said free end.

[0054] In a second version of the invention, the downstream free end has, along the flow axis X, at least one zone of cylindrical or slightly conical shape with a large upstream base and a small downstream base, the cone having an angle a (alpha) at most equal to 10° with the flow axis X.

[0055] In this second version of the invention, the face of the closure zone forming the outlet orifice has an annular constriction zone enclosing the downstream free end in at least one plane P4 perpendicular to the flow axis X when the valve is in the closed position, said at least one plane P4 being inscribed in the cylindrical or slightly conical zone of the free end, the annular constriction zone having a diameter of length D1 less than the diameter D2 of the free end in the plane P4 before assembly of the valve on the rod.

[0056] To ensure the fixing of the valve on the rod, the chimney encloses the rod in the annular fixing zone, the internal face of the chimney in said zone having a projecting annular shape complementary to a hollow annular face of the rod opposite the annular fixing zone when the valve is assembled on the rod.

[0057] The internal face of the chimney in the annular fixing zone locally forms a stop directed downstream complementary to a stop formed in the rod directed upstream, the stop formed on the chimney cooperating with the stop formed in the rod to block the valve on the rod along the flow axis X.

[0058] The chimney and the stem are connected by a watertight connection.

[0059] Furthermore, the dispensing valve is housed in a cavity formed in a dispensing nozzle, said cavity being oriented along the flow axis X, an upstream open end of the cavity being connected to an upstream channel formed in the dispensing nozzle and a downstream open end of the cavity forming the downstream end of said dispensing nozzle, the rigid rod equipped with the valve being housed axially along the flow axis X in the cavity, the closure wall fitting into the open end, an upstream end of the rod bearing on an upstream bottom of the cavity substantially perpendicular to the flow axis X, said upstream end having a projecting radial rib perpendicular to the flow axis X and arranged upstream of a complementary radial rib, formed as a projecting part in the cavity, said radial rib blocking the rod along the flow axis X.

[0060] The upstream end of the rod and the cavity are connected by a watertight connection.

[0061] Finally, said at least one channel ensuring the flow of the product in the dispensing valve extends in the rod from the upstream end of said rod to the product outlet orifice in extension of the upstream channel formed in the dispensing nozzle.

[0062] The shut-off valve is made of a thermoplastic or vulcanizable elastomer type material with a Shore A hardness of less than 70, preferably less than 50.

[0063] Integration of the valve according to the invention into the container of the dispensed product

[0064] The dispensing valve according to the invention is a device which includes the dispensing orifice of a container in which a liquid or pasty product is packaged. The container and the dispensing valve constitute an assembly of which the container is the upstream sub-assembly and the dispensing valve is the downstream sub-assembly, during the dispensing of the product.

[0065] The relationship between the container and the dispensing valve according to the invention is known, the valve comprising at least one product flow channel, ensuring communication between the container upstream of the dispensing valve and the dispensing orifice.

[0066] In the rest position the valve is closed.

[0067] When the user creates an overpressure inside the container, this overpressure directly or indirectly creating an overpressure in the area of ​​the container located immediately upstream of the dispensing valve, the valve takes an open position and the packaged product flows from the inside of the container to the outside, through said dispensing valve.

[0068] Brief description of the figures

[0069] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0070] [Fig. 1] - Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the two components of the valve - stem and shut-off flap - before assembly, as well as the end piece in which the valve is housed; the end piece, the stem and the flap being arranged along the flow axis X;

[0071] [Fig. 2] - Figure 2 is a comparative schematic representation of a partial deformation of the valve according to the invention (Diagram S1 on the left) and a partial deformation of the valve according to the prior art (Diagram S2 on the right);

[0072] [Fig.3] - Figure 3 is a sectional view of the stem and the valve before assembly in a plane passing through the flow axis X; [Fig.4] - Figure 4 is a sectional view, in a plane passing through the flow axis X, of the valve according to the invention in a first embodiment;

[0073] [Fig.5] - Figure 5 is a sectional view, in a plane passing through the flow axis X, of the valve according to the invention in a first version of a second embodiment; [Fig.6] - Figure 6 is a sectional view, in a plane passing through the flow axis X, of the valve according to the invention in a second version of the second embodiment; [Fig.7] - Figure 7 is a sectional view, in a plane passing through the flow axis X, of the valve according to the invention in the second version of the second embodiment and of the dispensing nozzle, before assembly of the valve in the dispensing nozzle;

[0074] [Fig.8] - Figure 8 is a sectional view, in a plane passing through the flow axis X, of the valve according to the invention of the second embodiment in its first version, after assembly of the valve in the dispensing nozzle;

[0075] [Fig.9] - Figure 9 is a sectional view, in a plane passing through the flow axis X, of a first valve according to the prior art in a first embodiment;

[0076] [Fig.10] - Figure 10 is a sectional view, in a plane passing through the flow axis X, of a first valve according to the prior art in a second embodiment;

[0077] [Fig. 11] - Figure 11 is a sectional view, in a plane passing through the flow axis X, of a second valve according to the prior art.

[0078] Detailed description of the invention

[0079] In the following description, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numbers.

[0080] By convention, the flow axis X is oriented vertically from bottom to top in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10.

[0081] In Figures 8 and 11, the flow axis is oriented in the direction corresponding to that which it occupies when the container fitted with the valve is arranged vertically on a support.

[0082] The valve according to the invention is illustrated, without limitation, by figures 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. Figures 4 to 8 are views of the assembled valve in the closed position.

[0083] The valve according to the invention is not illustrated in the open position, this representation not being necessary with regard to the views in the closed position and the characteristics according to the invention.

[0084] For the description of the invention and the understanding of the claims, a flow axis X of the product is defined through the dispensing valve, the product flowing from the container, upstream of the valve, to a dispensing orifice of the product downstream.

[0085] By convention, the term "flow axis X" defines the direction of flow of the dispensed product, through the dispensing valve.

[0086] The valve components have an upstream end and a downstream end along the flow axis X. By convention, the term "axial" defines the axis along which the flow axis X is inscribed, without specifying the upstream or downstream direction.

[0087] The term radial defines a centripetal or centrifugal direction falling within an angle substantially perpendicular to the flow axis X plus or minus 20° (twenty degrees of angle).

[0088] The dispensing valve 10 according to the invention extends from upstream to downstream, along a flow axis X of the product to be dispensed, at least one channel 25 formed in the dispensing valve connecting an upstream end 11 of the valve 10 to an outlet orifice 12 of the product, said valve being constituted:

[0089] - a) a rigid rod 20 arranged axially along the flow axis X;

[0090] - b) a shut-off valve 30 for the orifice 12 made in a single piece from an elastically deformable material, consisting of:

[0091] - a chimney 31 surrounding the rod 20, said chimney 31 being connected to said rod 20 by a fixed annular connection; and

[0092] - a closure wall 32 forming an arrangement substantially perpendicular to the flow axis X, an annular connecting zone 33 of the closure valve 30 connecting an annular periphery 321 of the closure wall 32 and a downstream end 311 of the chimney 31, the closure wall 32 being pierced in its center with the outlet orifice 12, the orifice 12 being formed in a closure zone 322 of said closure wall 32, said closure zone 322 being movable between a closed position of the distribution valve 10 towards which it is elastically returned and in which a face 323 of the closure zone 322 forming the outlet orifice 12 is in sealed contact with a downstream free end 21 (or downstream free end section 21) of the rod 20, and an open position of said valve in which the face 323 is distant from said free end 21.

[0093] In the closed position, the face 323 bears on the free end 21, said support resulting from the elastic return of the closure zone, said elastic return resulting from the assembly of the valve on the rod.

[0094] In the open position, an overpressure created inside the valve between the stem and the flap causes the wall 323 and the free end 21 to move apart, the overpressure inside the valve generating for this purpose a force opposite to the elastic return force and greater than this return force.

[0095] The chimney 31 comprises an annular fixing zone 312 located in its upstream part, said annular fixing zone 312 ensuring the fixed annular connection with the rod 20, and an annular deformation zone 313 located in its downstream part, said annular deformation zone 313 connecting the annular fixing zone 312 and the downstream end 311 of the chimney 31.

[0096] The annular deformation zone 313 is radially distant from the rod 20 in any plane P2 perpendicular to the flow axis X.

[0097] The annular connecting zone 33 is movable in a radial direction oriented towards the rod 20. The two diagrams S1 and S2 shown in FIG. 2 describe a partial deformation of the valve according to the prior art and of the valve according to the invention.

[0098] Diagram S1 illustrates a partial deformation of the valve according to the invention according to a three-point representation in a plane P along the flow axis.

[0099] Point A - fixed - represents the connection point in plane P between the annular fixing zone 312 and the annular deformation zone 313.

[0100] Point B - movable in a radial direction substantially oriented towards the rod 20 - represents the connection point between the downstream end 311 of the chimney and the annular periphery 321 of the closure wall 32.

[0101] Point C - movable in a direction substantially oriented along the flow axis X - represents a point on the face 323 of the closure zone 322.

[0102] An overpressure created in the valve causes the point B to move towards the stem 20 and the opening of the angle y (gamma) formed by the segments AB and BC. Point C moves along the flow axis X without concomitant elongation of the segment BC.

[0103] According to the same mode of representation, diagram S2 illustrates a partial deformation of the valve according to the prior art, as for example represented in document US3984035A1. Point B being fixed, the displacement of point C along the flow axis X is necessarily associated with an elongation of the segment BC combined with a smaller opening of the angle y (gamma).

[0104] The dispensing valve moves from a closed position - in which a face 323 of the closure zone 322 is in contact with a downstream free end 21 of the rod - to an open position in which the face 323 is distant from the downstream free end 21.

[0105] In the plane P, the displacement of the point C along the flow axis X describes the kinematics of a point on the face 323 to move from the position of closure of the orifice 12 to the position of opening of the orifice.

[0106] Thus, considering diagram S1:

[0107] - the chimney 31 which includes the annular deformation zone 313 which is represented by the segment AB;

[0108] - the annular deformation zone 313 is distant from the rod 20 in any plane perpendicular to the axis X and has an angle y (gamma) with the annular periphery 321 of the closure wall 32 in any plane P passing through the flow axis X;

[0109] - the annular connecting zone 33 is movable in a radial direction oriented towards the rod 20; This zone is represented by point B on diagram S1;

[0110] - when the face 323 of the sealing zone 322 is in sealed contact with the free end 21 of the rod 20, the angle y (gamma) is equal to at least 90° (ninety degrees of angle).

[0111] Diagram S1 schematically represents the distribution valve according to the invention in the open position and in the closed position. It is the deformation of the assembly constituted by the downstream part of the chimney (segment AB) and the closure wall (segment BC) - point B moving in the direction of the X axis - which allows the displacement of the distribution orifice (schematically represented by point C) downstream along the X axis of the valve.

[0112] The opening of the valve according to the prior art is subject to the elongation of the closure wall as shown in diagram S2.

[0113] The opening of the valve according to the invention is obtained without elongation of the closure wall 32, as shown in diagram S1, which considerably reduces the force necessary to obtain the opening of the valve.

[0114] In practice, the effective deformation of the valve combines the main deformation without elongation of the closure wall 32 shown in Figure 2 with other deformations of lesser importance.

[0115] Firstly, the movement of point B towards the rod is accompanied by a modification of the geometry of the downstream end 311 of the chimney in the annular connection zone 33 of the valve.

[0116] This deformation is essential for the proper functioning of the distribution valve 10 since it produces the elastic return of the closure zone to the closed position of the valve, the face 323 then being in sealed support on the free end 21 of the rod.

[0117] In diagram S1, the radial displacement of point B measures the radial crushing of the flap necessary to open the valve.

[0118] For a given length of radial displacement of point B, the length of displacement of point C in the flow axis (X) is inversely proportional to the opening angle y (gamma). when the valve is closed.

[0119] To ensure the sealing of the valve against very small pressure variations (for example the variation of atmospheric pressure at constant altitude), it is appropriate to subordinate the initiation of the opening of the valve to a minimum significant radial crushing of the flap. More precisely, this minimum significant crushing is obtained when the annular deformation zone 313 (represented by the segment AB in diagram S1) has an angle y (gamma) equal to at least 90° (ninety degrees of angle), preferably equal to at least 115° (one hundred and fifteen degrees of angle), with the annular periphery 321 (the segment BC representing the wall 32 in diagram S1), in any plane P passing through the flow axis (X), when the face 323 is resting on the free end 21 of the rod.

[0120] Similarly, the angular deformation of the closure wall (opening of the angle y (gamma)) is accompanied by a slight increase in the perimeter of the orifice 12 with radial elongation of the closure zone 322.

[0121] The invention thus makes it possible to open the orifice 12 while considerably limiting the value of the overpressure necessary to trigger the opening of the valve.

[0122] This deformation capacity according to the invention is essential for the proper functioning of the valves whose principle is based on the deformation of the flap, when the variation in pressure induced by the dosage is very low (100 to 200 millibars) and when the elongation zone of the closure wall called intermediate zone 325 (between the annular connection zone 33 and the closure zone 322) is very short, for example of the order of 1 mm.

[0123] Document WO-A1-2017051127 describes a deformation distribution valve, the opening and closing positions of the valve being obtained by elastic deformation of the closure wall of the valve.

[0124] A first embodiment of the distribution valve according to document WO-A1-2017051127 is reproduced in Figure 9.

[0125] When the valve is fitted into the cavity of the container's dispensing tip, the valve's valve stem is fixed and non-deformable.

[0126] Figure 9 shows that the chimney is not deformable in a substantially radial direction oriented towards the stem.

[0127] Indeed, strict support of the chimney wall on the cavity is essential to ensure the correct axial positioning of the valve, the precise positioning of the valve along the flow axis X guaranteeing control of the pressure force of the valve on the rod.

[0128] Conversely, the separation of the external face of the chimney from the valve and the wall of the cavity would cause the valve to move along the flow axis X under the effect of the overpressure created in the container to open the valve and dispense the product, especially since the stop guaranteeing the correct axial positioning of the valve on the rod is arranged in the downstream part of the chimney.

[0129] The separation of the cavity wall and the chimney wall would consequently lead to the destruction of the valve.

[0130] Document WO-A1-2017051127 describes and claims:

[0131] "...said valve is fixed to the end piece by fitting the chimney into the cavity, along the axis XX', an outer face of the chimney and an inner face of the wall of the cavity describing a substantially annular shape of revolution cooperating with each other, said outer face being in sealed support on the inner face of the wall of the cavity,...".

[0132] To avoid the risk of the walls of the chimney and the cavity becoming detached, the wall of the chimney is provided to be very thick, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. Since this safety may prove insufficient, this same document provides a second embodiment, shown in Figure 10, in which the chimney is compressed radially between the wall of the rod and the wall of the chimney.

[0133] The document specifies in the description that:

[0134] "In the second embodiment, the outer face of the valve chimney rests on the face of the cavity and its inner face rests on the side of the stem. The passage of the product is ensured by means of a groove made in the stem."

[0135] This second embodiment ensures better support of the chimney on the wall of the cavity at the height of the axial stop of the valve on the rod, the chimney being held in a vice between the walls of the rod and the cavity. Document FR-A1-3041411 also describes a deformation distribution valve, the opening and closing positions of the valve also being obtained by elastic deformation of the closing wall of the valve.

[0136] The valve flap chimney is fixed and non-deformable when the flap is fitted onto the stem.

[0137] The stem and valve assembly is then fitted into the dispensing nozzle of the container. Figure 11 reproduces a sectional plan of the valve according to document FR-A1-3041411, in a plane passing through the flow axis X.

[0138] As illustrated in Figure 11, the chimney being in radial support on the rod over its entire length, the latter is therefore deprived of mobility in a substantially radial direction oriented towards the rod.

[0139] Claim 1 of document FR-A1-3041411 describes a valve which comprises "a tubular body which surrounds the central rod" which corresponds to the chimney of the present invention; "an annular valve head" which corresponds to the closure zone of the present invention; and "an intermediate annular portion which connects the annular head to the tubular body, which extends along a radial extension between the annular valve head and the annular valve body, which is elastically deformable and which applies to the annular valve head an elastic return force towards its closed position".

[0140] Document FR-A1-3041411 defines in its claim 1 a valve whose elastic deformation zone is the radial extension of the closure zone, that is to say an annular component of the closure wall surrounding the closure zone.

[0141] The intermediate annular portion of document FR-A1-3041411 corresponds to the intermediate zone 325 between the closure zone 322 and the annular connection zone 33 according to the present invention.

[0142] The stem preventing radial deformation of the chimney, as illustrated in figure 11, the opening of the valve is only possible at the cost of an elongation of the “intermediate annular portion”, that is to say an elongation of the obturation wall.

[0143] Unlike valves according to the prior art, the present invention allows the displacement of the closure zone along the flow axis X without elongation of the closure wall.

[0144] It is thus possible to lower the trigger threshold of the shut-off valve 10 to an overpressure level lower than the overpressure created by the dosing and dispensing of the product, thus considerably securing the operation of the valve when the dosage - or quantity to be dispensed - of the packaged product is very low, of the order of 0.15 to 0.50 milliliters.

[0145] According to a characteristic of the invention, the annular periphery 321 of the closure wall 32 is in the shape of a circle with a radius of length R1, the free downstream end 21 of the rod 20 is in the shape of a circle with a radius of length R2 in at least one plane P3 perpendicular to the flow axis X, the deformation zone 313 extends along a length L1 along the flow axis X, from the annular fixing zone (312) to its downstream end (311), and the length L1 is equal to at least 15% of a length equal to R1-R2.

[0146] When the valve is small, the length L1 is equal to at least 34% of the length R1-R2.

[0147] It is in fact necessary for the deformation zone 313 to be sufficiently long to allow radial deformation in the direction of the rod of the annular connection zone 33 of the valve.

[0148] Preferably, the length L1 is equal to at least 0.68 mm when the length R1-R2 is equal to 1.97 mm.

[0149] Furthermore, the dispensing valve 10 according to the invention has a downstream face 324 that is flat or in the shape of a convex truncated sphere in order to facilitate gripping of the dispensed cream and cleaning of the tip by the user after dispensing the cream.

[0150] According to another characteristic of the invention, the chimney 31 has a first wall thickness e1 in the annular deformation zone 313, the closure wall 32 has a second thickness e2 in an intermediate zone between the closure zone 322 and the annular connection zone 33, the thickness e2 being measured in a direction perpendicular to the downstream face 324 at the observation point of the measurement and the thickness e1 is less than 150% of the thickness e2.

[0151] These two areas are both thinned in similar proportions to facilitate the opening of the valve when dispensing the measured cream.

[0152] When the annular deformation zone is very short, a thickness e1 less than 140% of the thickness e2 is preferable to facilitate radial deformation.

[0153] Preferably, the wall of the annular zone has a thickness of the order of 0.35 mm and the wall of the intermediate zone has a thickness of the order of 0.48 mm when the closure wall has a diameter of the order of 5.5 mm to 6 mm.

[0154] According to another characteristic of the invention, the closure zone 322 has an average thickness e3 measured in a direction perpendicular to the downstream face 324 at the observation point of the measurement, and the third thickness e3 is greater than the thickness e2, preferably greater than 150% of the thickness e2.

[0155] This feature increases the resistance to degradation of the orifice wall during the container's use phase.

[0156] Preferably the thickness e3 is equal to at least 0.9 mm when the closure wall 32 has a diameter of the order of 5.5 mm to 6 mm.

[0157] The face 323 forming the outlet orifice 12 is inscribed in the thickness e3 of the closure zone 322.

[0158] In a first embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 4, the downstream free end 21 of the rod 20 is conical in shape with a large upstream base and a small downstream base, the cone having, with the flow axis X, an angle a (alpha) greater than 10° (ten degrees of angle) preferably greater than or equal to 35° (thirty-five degrees of angle). In this first embodiment, the face 323 forming the orifice 12 has, along the flow axis X, a conical shape complementary to the downstream free end 21. The face 323 is arranged opposite the downstream free end 21 after assembly of the valve 30 on the rod 20. It bears on the downstream free end 21 when the valve is closed.

[0159] For a given displacement along the X axis of the closure wall, the flow passage depends on the angle a (alpha) of the cone wall with the flow axis X: the flatter the cone, the greater the outlet passage for a given displacement stroke of the closure wall along the flow axis X.

[0160] This first application is therefore of particular interest when the axial displacement of the closure wall is very small, for example when the elastomer in which the closure valve is formed is very inelastic, for example with a Shore hardness greater than 75A.

[0161] It may be advantageous to use such elastomers when the packaged cream is heavily loaded with aggressive constituents such as certain oils.

[0162] An angle of around 10° (ten degrees of angle) limits the precision requirement for the support dimension of the valve on the stem. An angle of around 35° (thirty-five degrees of angle) allows the use of valves with little elasticity.

[0163] In a second embodiment of the invention, the free downstream end 21 of the rod 20 has, along the flow axis X, at least one zone of cylindrical or slightly conical shape with a large upstream base and a small downstream base, the cone having an angle a (alpha) at most equal to 10° (ten degrees of angle) preferably equal to 1.5° (1.5 degrees of angle) with the flow axis X.

[0164] The face 323 forming the outlet orifice 12 has, along the flow axis X, a cylindrical or slightly conical shape complementary to the shape of the downstream free end 21, opposite the cylindrical or slightly conical shaped zone of the downstream free end 21 after assembly of the valve 30 on the rod 20 when the valve is in the closed position.

[0165] The face 323 has an annular constriction zone 326 enclosing the downstream free end 21 in at least one plane P4 perpendicular to the flow axis X, when the valve is in the closed position, this at least one plane P4 being inscribed in the cylindrical or slightly conical zone of the free end 21.

[0166] The free end 21 has an axial length L2 along the flow axis X as shown in Figure 3. In Figures 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8, the downstream free end 21 is cylindrical or slightly conical over the entire axial length L2.

[0167] In other solutions, not shown in the figures, the downstream free end is cylindrical over an area of ​​axial length shorter than L2.

[0168] Before assembling the valve on the rod, the annular throttle zone 326 has a diameter of length D1 less than the diameter D2 of the downstream free end 21 in the plane P4. The diameter D1 has a length 6% less than the diameter D2 when the valve is made of an elastomer with a Shore hardness less than or equal to 50A.

[0169] The free end of the rod 21 and the face 323 both having a cylindrical or quasi-cylindrical arrangement along the flow axis X, the free end 21 of the rod 20 passes through the orifice in an axial arrangement when the valve is in the closed position. The seal is then ensured by radial tensioning of the wall of the orifice around the rod, this radial tensioning being independent of the precise positioning of the closure wall along the flow axis X, and this all the more so as the angle a (alpha) tends towards 0° (zero degree of angle), the free end 21 then taking the form of a perfect cylinder.

[0170] Thus, in this preferred embodiment, the sealing of the valve is ensured regardless of the positioning of the closure wall along the flow axis X, provided that the stem extends at least partially through the orifice.

[0171] The valve according to the invention has considerable functional superiority over deformation valves according to the prior art which do not allow this second mode of cylindrical or quasi-cylindrical arrangement of the walls forming the closure to be implemented when the valve is closed.

[0172] Indeed, the opening of the valve according to the prior art being dependent on the elongation of the closure wall, the elongation of the closure wall only allowing a very small displacement stroke of the closure zone along the flow axis, this displacement is insufficient to open the access passage to the orifice when the walls forming the closure have a cylindrical or quasi-cylindrical arrangement.

[0173] Another advantage of the second embodiment of the invention is to arrange the annular zone of the constriction in a plane P4 close to the downstream face 324 of the closure wall.

[0174] This arrangement makes it possible to limit, or even eliminate, the retention of cream in the vicinity of the orifice, downstream of the sealing zone, which presents a considerable advantage with regard to the risks of bacterial retro-contamination in the container.

[0175] Finally, this arrangement allows the cream lodged between the wall of the orifice and the stem to be scraped when the valve is closed.

[0176] Conversely, when the closure zone has a radial arrangement, approximately perpendicular to the flow axis X, the wall of the orifice forming the closure rests on the radial or conical end of the stem, a residual layer of cream then forming between the wall of the orifice and the wall of the stem when the support is insufficient or imprecise. This residual layer of cream constitutes a vector for the migration inside the container of bacteria brought by the user downstream of the closure zone during the dispensing of the cream.

[0177] The dispensing valve according to the invention therefore has a superiority over the deformation valves according to the prior art, because it guarantees the closure of the orifice independently of the precision of the axial positioning of the closure zone of the flap when the valve is closed, providing a considerable advantage when the trigger threshold of the valve is very low, and because it significantly improves the barrier to bacterial retro-contamination during the dispensing of the cream contained in the container.

[0178] In this second embodiment, the valve according to the invention can be declined in two versions depending on the distance L3, represented in figure 6, separating the upstream face 327 of the closure zone and the stem in an axial direction when the valve is in the closed position.

[0179] Figure 5 illustrates a first version in which the upstream face 327 is close to the stem.

[0180] Figure 6 illustrates a second version in which the upstream face 327 is further from the stem.

[0181] This version ensures that the valve takes an optimized closed position without interference from any axial support of the valve on the stem disturbing the radial tensioning of the orifice wall.

[0182] The chimney 31 of the valve according to the invention encloses the rod 20 in the annular fixing zone 312, the internal face 314 of the chimney in said zone having a projecting annular shape complementary to a hollow annular face 22 of the rod 20 opposite the annular fixing zone 312 when the valve 30 is assembled on the rod 20. This arrangement makes it possible to precisely position the valve relative to the rod in its radial arrangement and in its axial arrangement.

[0183] More precisely, the internal face 314 of the chimney in the annular fixing zone 312 locally forms a stop 315 directed downstream which is complementary to a stop 23 formed in the rod 20 directed upstream, the stop 315 cooperating with the stop 23 to block the valve on the rod along the flow axis X.

[0184] The downstream-directed stop 315 formed on the inner face of the chimney and the upstream-directed stop 23 formed on the stem have an arrangement which makes it possible to block the valve with great precision along the flow axis X during the overpressure created upstream of the valve to dispense the cream, which guarantees the stability of the support of the closure wall on the stem when the valve is closed.

[0185] The chimney 31 and the rod 20 are connected by a sealed connection in the annular fixing zone 312 of the chimney, so that the liquid or pasty product necessarily circulates from the container to the outlet orifice 12 by using the at least one channel 25 connecting the upstream 11 of the valve to the outlet orifice 12.

[0186] Furthermore, the dispensing valve is housed in a cavity 41 formed in a dispensing nozzle 40, this cavity 41 being oriented along the flow axis X.

[0187] An upstream open end 411 of the cavity 41 is connected to an upstream channel 42 formed in the distribution nozzle 40, a downstream open end 412 of the cavity 41 forming the downstream end of said distribution nozzle 40.

[0188] The rigid rod 20 equipped with the valve 30 is housed axially along the flow axis X in the cavity 41. The closure wall 32 fits into the open end 412, an upstream end 24 of the rod 20 bearing on an upstream bottom 413 of the cavity perpendicular to the flow axis X.

[0189] This upstream end 24 has a radial rib 26 projecting perpendicular to the flow axis X and arranged upstream of a complementary radial rib 414, formed projecting in the cavity 41, said radial rib 414 blocking the rod 20 along the flow axis X.

[0190] Such an arrangement makes it possible to precisely position the valve according to the invention in the cavity formed in the dispensing nozzle to house said valve, the radial positioning and the downstream stop of the valve being ensured by the radial ribs arranged one around the stem and the other in the cavity, the valve taking its upstream support on the bottom of the cavity.

[0191] As shown in Figure 7, the channel 42 formed in the dispensing nozzle upstream of the cavity 41 ensures the connection between the area of ​​the container located upstream of the valve and the upstream end of the at least one channel 25 connecting the upstream end 11 of the valve to the outlet orifice 12.

[0192] The upstream end 24 of the rod 20 and the cavity 41 are connected by a sealed connection, so that the liquid or pasty product necessarily circulates from the container to the outlet orifice by using at least one channel 25 connecting the upstream 11 of the valve to the outlet orifice 12.

[0193] The watertight connection between the stem and the cavity prevents the migration of any foreign body, and in particular any contaminating agent, from the outside of the container to the inside of the container.

[0194] Downstream of said sealed connection, the external face of the valve chimney may be in contact with the wall of the cavity.

[0195] This possible contact must be made in the upstream zone of the chimney, so as not to degrade the deformation kinematics of the valve and the trigger threshold of the valve. In order to limit the risk of pollution of the possible space between the external face of the chimney and the wall of the cavity downstream of the sealed connection between the rod and the cavity, the closure wall can be extended in a radial arrangement 328, the closure wall then covering the downstream face 43 of the distribution nozzle 40 surrounding the downstream opening 412 of the cavity.

[0196] This arrangement is incidental insofar as the outlet orifice 12 arranged in the valve is the only point of passage between the interior and the exterior of the container.

[0197] Preferably, the at least one channel 25 ensuring the passage between the upstream end of the valve and the product outlet orifice is arranged inside the rod 20 from the upstream end 24 of said rod to the product outlet orifice 12 in extension of the upstream channel 42.

[0198] This arrangement allows the sealed connection between the chimney and the rod to be perfectly annular without interruption of contact. Preferably, three channels are provided in the rod, arranged angularly in a regular manner at 120 degrees of angle from each other to balance the support of the packaged product on the upstream face of the closure wall during the overpressure opening the access passage to the orifice. The distribution valve 10 is composed of a rod and a flap.

[0199] The rod is made of a rigid thermoplastic, for example, but not limited to, polypropylene or polyethylene.

[0200] The shut-off valve 30 is made of a thermoplastic or vulcanizable elastomer with a Shore A hardness of less than 70, preferably less than 50. The thermoplastic elastomer may be a SEBS (Polystyrene Polyethylene-butylene), the vulcanizable elastomer may be a silicone. For equivalent mechanical properties, the elastomer compatible with the packaged product is chosen.

[0201] The valve according to the invention is recyclable in plastic recycling channels.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Dispensing valve (10) for a liquid or pasty product which extends from upstream to downstream, along a flow axis (X) of the product, at least one channel (25) formed in the dispensing valve (10) connecting an upstream end (11) of the valve to an outlet orifice (12) of the product, said dispensing valve (10) consisting of: a) a rigid rod (20) arranged axially along the flow axis (X); b) a closure valve (30) of the orifice (12) made in a single piece from an elastically deformable material, consisting of: - a chimney (31) surrounding the rod (20), said chimney (31) being connected to said rod (20) by a fixed annular connection; and - a closure wall (32) forming an arrangement substantially perpendicular to the flow axis (X), an annular connecting zone (33) of the closure valve (30) connecting an annular periphery (321) of the closure wall (32) and a downstream end (311) of the chimney (31), the closure wall (32) being pierced in its center with the outlet orifice (12), the orifice (12) being formed in a closure zone (322) of said closure wall (32), said closure zone (322) being movable between a closed position of the distribution valve (10) towards which it is elastically returned and in which a face (323) of the closure zone (322) forming the outlet orifice (12) is in sealed contact with a free downstream end (21) of the stem (20), and an opening position of said valve in which the face (323) is distant from said free end (21), characterized in that: - the chimney (31) comprises an annular fixing zone (312) located in its upstream part, said annular fixing zone (312) ensuring the fixed annular connection with the rod (20), and an annular deformation zone (313) located in its downstream part, said annular deformation zone (313) connecting the annular fixing zone (312) and the downstream end (311) of said chimney (31): - the annular deformation zone (313) is distant from the rod (20) in any plane P2 perpendicular to the flow axis (X) and has an angle y (gamma) with the annular periphery (321) of the closure wall (32) in any plane (P) passing through the flow axis (X); - the annular connecting zone (33) is movable in a radial direction oriented towards the rod (20); - when said face (323) of the sealing zone (322) is in sealed contact with the free end (21) of the rod (20), the angle y (gamma) is equal to at least 90° (ninety degrees of angle).

2. Dispensing valve (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: - the annular periphery (321) of the closure wall (32) is in the shape of a circle with a radius of length R1; - the free downstream end (21) of the rod is in the shape of a circle with a radius of length R2 in at least one plane P3 perpendicular to the flow axis (X); - the deformation zone (313) extends along a length L1 along the flow axis (X); - the length L1 is at least equal to 15% of a length (R1-R2).

3. Dispensing valve (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the closure wall (32) has a downstream face (324) which is flat or in the shape of a convex truncated sphere.

4. Dispensing valve (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - the chimney (31) has a first wall thickness (e1) in the annular deformation zone (313); - the closure wall (32) has a second thickness (e2) in an intermediate zone (325) between the closure zone (322) and the annular connection zone (33), the second thickness (e2) being measured in a direction perpendicular to the downstream face (324) at the observation point of the measurement; - the first thickness (e1) is less than 150% of the second thickness (e2).

5. Dispensing valve (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that: - the closure zone (322) has a third average thickness (e3) measured in a direction perpendicular to the downstream face at the observation point of the measurement; - the third thickness (e3) is greater than the second thickness (e2) preferably greater than 150% of the second thickness (e2); - the face (323) forming the outlet orifice (12) is included in the third thickness (e3) of the closure zone (322).

6. Dispensing valve (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - the free end (21) is conical in shape with a large upstream base and a small downstream base, the cone having, with the flow axis (X), an angle alpha (a) greater than ten degrees of angle.; - the face (323) forming the orifice (12) has, along the flow axis (X), a conical shape complementary to the downstream free end (21), arranged opposite said free end.

7. Dispensing valve (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: - the free downstream end (21) has, along the flow axis (X), at least one zone of cylindrical or slightly conical shape with a large upstream base and a small downstream base, the cone having, with the flow axis (X), an angle alpha (a) at most equal to ten degrees of angle; - the face (323) forming the orifice (12) has an annular constriction zone (326) enclosing the downstream free end (21) in at least one plane (P4) perpendicular to the flow axis (X) when the valve is in the closed position, said at least one plane (P4) falling within the cylindrical or slightly conical zone of the free end (21); - before assembling the valve on the rod, the annular throttling zone (326) has a first diameter of length (D1) less than a second diameter (D2) of the free end (21) in said at least one plane (P4).

8. Dispensing valve (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chimney (31) encloses the rod (20) in the annular fixing zone (312), the internal face (314) of the chimney in said zone having a projecting annular shape complementary to a hollow annular face (22) of the rod (20) opposite the annular fixing zone (312) when the valve (30) is assembled on the rod (20).

9. Dispensing valve (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the internal face (314) of the chimney in the annular fixing zone (312) locally forms a stop (315) directed downstream complementary to a stop (23) formed in the rod (20) directed upstream, the stop (315) cooperating with the stop (23) to lock the valve on the rod along the flow axis (X).

10. Dispensing valve (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the chimney (31) and the rod (20) are connected by a sealed connection.

11. Dispensing valve (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve is housed in a cavity (41) formed in a dispensing nozzle (40), said cavity (41) being oriented along the flow axis (X), an upstream open end (411) of the cavity (41) being connected to an upstream channel (42) formed in the dispensing nozzle (40), a downstream open end (412) of the cavity (41) forming the downstream end of said dispensing nozzle (40), the rigid rod (20) equipped with the valve (30) being housed axially along the flow axis (X) in the cavity (41), the closure wall (32) fitting into the open end (412), an upstream end (24) of the rod (20) bearing on an upstream bottom (413) of the cavity substantially perpendicular to the flow axis (X), said upstream end (24) having a radial rib (26) projecting perpendicular to the flow axis (X) and arranged upstream of a complementary radial rib (414), formed projecting in the cavity (41), said radial rib (414) blocking the rod (20) along the flow axis (X).

12. Dispensing valve (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that the upstream end (24) of the rod (20) and the cavity (41) are connected by a sealed connection.

13. Dispensing valve (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one channel (25) extends through the stem (20) from the upstream end (24) of said rod in extension of the upstream channel (42) to the outlet orifice (12) of the product.

14. Dispensing valve (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shut-off valve is made of a thermoplastic or vulcanizable elastomer type material with a Shore A hardness of less than 70, preferably less than 50.

15. Dispensing valve (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, when said face (323) of the closure zone (322) is in sealed contact with the free end (21) of the rod (20), the angle y (gamma) is equal to at least 115° (one hundred and fifteen degrees of angle).

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