Adjustable dosing valve system

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adjustable dosing valve system for dispensing a metered dose of a product, comprising: a metering chamber (1), defined by a side wall, an upper wall and a lower wall, a charging port (2) extending from the lower wall of the metering chamber (1), a releasing stem (3) extending from the upper wall of the metering chamber (1), a piston (5) arranged in the metering chamber (1) and moveable in the metering chamber (1), resilient means (6) exerting pressure on the piston (5) towards the charging port (2), a charging channel (7) connecting the charging port (2) with a propulsion space (10) under the piston (5) and with the dose space (12) above the piston (5), wherein the system comprises a piston driver (19) arranged in the metering chamber (1) and moveable in the metering chamber (1), wherein at its lower end the piston driver (19) has a piston driver stopper ring (20), which prevents the movement of the piston (5) downwards, wherein the piston driver (19) has piston driver blocking means (32) complementary with releasing stem blocking means (33) for transferring the rotational motion of the releasing stem (3) to the piston driver (19), wherein the piston driver (19) has a piston driver outer thread (21) complementary with the body thread (22) formed on the inner surface of the upper wall of the metering chamber (1), wherein the piston driver (19) comprises at least one piston driver channel (30) at least in the region of the piston driver thread (21).

Description

[0001] Adjustable dosing valve system

[0002] The present invention relates to an adjustable dosing valve system. The object of the invention is applied inter alia in pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic, and chemical industries, particularly for dispensing products at an adjustable volume (dose).

[0003] In recent years, a dynamic development of aerosol technologies, which allows the storing and administering of a wide range of products, has been observed. Aerosol containers have gained enormous popularity, as they offer efficiency, convenience and safety of use. Generally, an aerosol container is a disposable or reusable vessel, made of metal, glass, or plastic, containing pressurized, liquefied, or dissolved gas. Aerosol containers can also contain liquid, paste or powder, and are usually equipped with a dispensing device, enabling the application of the product in a form of solid or liquid particles suspended in gas, or in a form of foam, paste, or powder, or in a liquid or gaseous state. A classic aerosol container contains a sprayed agent (e.g. in liquid form) and a propellant, being a fluid or a gas under pressure. Triggering the aerosol valve causes the valve to be opened and the sprayed agent to be discharged by the pressurized propellant towards the outlet, usually ended with a dispensing head, thus creating a finely dispersed stream.

[0004] Aerosol packages gained their popularity due to a number of advantages that they offer. Products stored in aerosol packages usually have long lifespan, mainly because of a hermetic sealing which prevents the contact between the stored product and the environment, especially pollutants and microorganisms. This advantage is particularly appreciated for storing pharmaceutical agents, where maintaining maximal purity is an essential factor. It should also be noted that, in time of a rising issue of global pollution, it is desirable to use packages that are mostly suitable for recycling, which the aerosol packages undoubtedly are, since they are usually manufactured from aluminum and plastic, almost entirely suitable for reprocessing.

[0005] In some branches of industry, aerosol systems are slow to gain appreciation and thus are not often the first choice for dispensing components. An especially demanding branch of industry is the pharmaceutical industry, in which medical substances must be dispensed under very stringent conditions. It is particularly important to provide the dispensation of a medical substance at a precisely metered dose, which frequently translates into the volume of this pharmaceutical substance. It is vital for controlling the particular amount of an active medical substance delivered to the organism. It is equally important to maintain highly repeatable metering of the doses of the dispensed substance, particularly in the case when the volume in the dispensing container decreases at every act of dispensing.

[0006] Document US2015239645A1 discloses a valve system for dosing a predetermined quantity of content, particularly in the form of foam. The valve system comprises a cap which is mounted on the valve and which houses a metering chamber. The volume of a dose is regulated by turning the cap and thus by changing the volume of the metering chamber. The system is based on a valve, which fills the metering chamber during the phase of pushing the stem, and which opens the discharge to the dispensing nozzle and discharges the contents outside the metering chamber during the phase of releasing the stem.

[0007] Document US3301444A discloses an aerosol valve allowing a predetermined measured volume of product to be dispensed, the valve comprising a measuring chamber, which has its volume defined by the dose, and which is filled with the product when the valve is in closed position. The pressing of an actuator stem closes the metering chamber inlet aperture and opens the discharge outlet through the dispensing head. In such a case, the valve discharges the volume of a product contained in the measuring chamber.

[0008] A container for dispensing a dose of the product is also known from document US5031802A. The container comprises a valve system fitted inside a bottleneck. The valve system comprises a metering chamber. The metering chamber is made of an elastic material in the form of a bellows. In order to discharge a metered dose of a product, a cap must be first removed. The removal of the cap causes the volume of the metering chamber to increase and creates a negative pressure. The negative pressure frees a ball which blocks a conduit connected with a plunger tube. In this manner, the conduit is opened and the metering chamber is filled with the product. Complete unscrewing of the cap breaks the fluid-tightness and causes the ball to drop. Thus the user is provided with a metered volume of a product.

[0009] Document WO2019125566A1 discloses an aerosol valve system for dispensing a product from a pressurized container. The aerosol valve system comprises a metering valve which dispenses a predetermined fixed quantity of product upon actuation. The metering valve comprises a housing with a cylindrical body, an open upper portion, a planar base and an outer surface and an aperture through the planar base. The metering valve moreover comprises a dose chamber having an upper cylindrical portion with an open end and a lower cylindrical portion with an open end, wherein a piston is disposed in the lower cylindrical body and preloaded with a spring. During the process of filling the metering chamber, the metered product flows around the outside of the metering chamber and into the inside of the metering chamber through an upper aperture. The pressure exerted by the metered product together with the force exerted by the spring cause the piston to be moved to the lowermost position, i.e. to the position in which the dose is ready to be dispensed. The pushing of the metering stem prevents the product in the vessel of the aerosol container from accessing the metering chamber and opens the channels leading to the discharge in the form of a cylindrical stem. The pressure exerted on the piston causes the piston to be moved vertically upwards and the product present in the upper portion of the dose chamber to be ejected, which in turn ensures that a defined volume (dose) of the product is dispensed. Releasing the stem causes the system to return to the dose chamber filling stage.

[0010] Document PL244401B1 discloses an adjustable dosing valve system for dispensing a metered dose of a product, comprising a metering chamber defined by a side wall, a top wall and a bottom wall, a charging port extending from the bottom wall of the metering chamber, a releasing stem extending from the top wall of the metering chamber, a piston arranged in the metering chamber and moveable in the metering chamber, resilient means exerting pressure on the piston towards the charging port, a charging channel connecting the charging port with the propulsion space under the piston and with the dose space above the piston. The adjustable dosing valve system additionally comprises a control element arranged in the metering chamber, wherein the control element has a thread fitted with a thread arranged on the inner surface of the side wall of the metering chamber and blocking means fitted with blocking means arranged on the side surface of the releasing stem, or the control element has a thread fitted with a thread arranged on the side surface of the releasing stem and a blocking means fitted with a blocking means arranged on the inner surface of the side wall of the metering chamber.

[0011] The technical problem of the present invention is to provide such an adjustable dosing valve system which would allow an accurately metered volume of a product to be dispensed while maintaining highly repeatable doses of the dispensed product and while providing the functionality of adjusting the volume of the dose realized by the end user. It is also desired that the adjustment of the dose volume is realized without the need to use complicated tools, preferably manually, and that the end user is informed about the currently selected dose volume. It is also desired that the adjustable dosing valve system has a relatively simple construction, which would in particular not influence the structure and external dimensions of the adjustable dosing valve system. It is also desired to provide an adjustable dosing valve system in which the dosed product is not in contact with the propellant gas in the case of using the adjustable dosing valve system in an aerosol technique. Moreover, it is desired to provide an adjustable dosing valve system having reduced external dimensions and increased operating reliability. It is also desired that the adjustable dosing valve system is a universal solution suitable for use in standard aerosol containers and is exchangeable, wherein the introduction of the adjustable dosing valve system on the aerosol container does not require the use of specialist tools. It is also desired to provide an adjustable dosing valve system which will provide not only dose adjustment but also additional operating modes, including a system-lock mode and a continuous-operation mode.

[0012] In one aspect, the present invention provides an adjustable dosing valve system for dispensing a metered dose of a product, comprising: a metering chamber, defined by a side wall, an upper wall and a lower wall, a charging port extending from the lower wall of the metering chamber, a releasing stem extending from the upper wall of the metering chamber, a piston arranged in the metering chamber and moveable in the metering chamber, resilient means exerting pressure on the piston towards the charging port, a charging channel connecting the charging port with a propulsion space under the piston and with the dose space above the piston, characterized in that the system comprises a piston driver arranged in the metering chamber and moveable in the metering chamber, wherein at its lower end the piston driver has a piston driver stopper ring, which prevents the movement of the piston downwards, wherein the piston driver has piston driver blocking means complementary with releasing stem blocking means for transferring the rotational motion of the releasing stem to the piston driver, wherein the piston driver has a piston driver outer thread complementary with the body thread formed on the inner surface of the upper wall of the metering chamber, wherein the piston driver comprises at least one piston driver channel at least in the region of the driver thread.

[0013] Preferably, the releasing stem is connected with the stem block extending towards the charging port.

[0014] Preferably, the charging channel in the metering chamber is arranged coaxially, wherein the charging channel has a charging opening closed by a closure and connecting the charging channel with the propulsion space under the piston and / or with the charging port and a dose opening connecting the charging channel with the dose space above the piston, wherein the piston driver hermetically surrounds the charging channel.

[0015] Preferably, the charging channel is a bush extending coaxially through the metering chamber in which there is moveably arranged the stem block.

[0016] Preferably, the charging channel is hollowed out in the stem block.

[0017] Preferably, a filling check valve is provided in the stem block.

[0018] Preferably, the adjustable dosing valve system is in a form of an adapter for mounting to an external container containing the dispensed product and is provided with a mounting assembly.

[0019] Preferably, the mounting assembly is provided with at least one circumferentially arranged mounting hook for a snap fit connection with the flange of the container containing the dispensed product or with the collar of its neck.

[0020] Preferably, the charging port is a male valve connector or a female valve connector. Preferably, the adjustable dosing valve system is arranged inside the container containing the dispensed product.

[0021] Preferably, the adjustable dosing valve system additionally comprises a dose indicator exposed on the outside of the adjustable dosing valve system.

[0022] Preferably, the adjustable dosing valve system has a rotatable control knob, wherein the control knob has a central opening penetrated by the releasing stem, and on the inner surface of the central opening of the control knob there are arranged control knob coupling means which are complementary with releasing stem coupling means for transferring the rotational motion of the control knob to the releasing stem.

[0023] Preferably, the adjustable dosing valve system has a transfer channel connecting the charging channel with the metering chamber, wherein the transfer channel is arranged at the height greater than the height assumed by the lower edge of the piston driver in the position of the minimum dose of the dispensed product.

[0024] Preferably, access channel has an outlet located in the region of the piston driver stopper ring when the piston driver is in the lowermost position.

[0025] The adjustable dosing valve system according to the present invention, owing to the use of the metering chamber with the piston moveable inside the chamber, the piston being propelled by the pressure exerted by the product from the container with the pressurized product, is a solution providing a precisely metered dose of the product without the need to use complicated propelling structures and positively influencing the reliability of the structure of the system and ensuring highly repeatable doses. The use of the resilient means exerting pressure on the piston towards the charging port ensures the movement of the piston to the terminal charged position of the metering chamber as the dose space of the metering chamber is being filled. The adjustable dosing valve system made in the form of an adapter mounted on the container with the pressurized product provides universal applicability to the solution of this invention, allowing it to be used with the currently existing containers with pressurized products. The use of the mounting assembly based on the mounting hook allows the adapter to be fitted without the need to use complicated tools and thus the fitting may be performed by the end users. On the other hand, the realizing of the adjustable dosing valve system in a form integrated with the container with the pressurized product, in which the adjustable dosing valve system is arranged in the inner space of the container, provides a container with a pressurized product with a functionality of dispensing a predetermined and adjusted dose which has a very compact structure, and which does not differ, in a manner visible to the end user, from standard solutions without such a functionality.

[0026] Importantly, the construction of the piston in a such a form that it surrounds the charging channel (and the piston driver) causes the operating piston to move being guided along the charging channel, thus stabilizing the movement of the piston and allowing its dimensions to be reduced (as the risk of angular inclination of the piston and of the loss of tightness between the dose space and the propulsion space is reduced). As a result, the adjustable dosing valve system has reduced external dimensions, influencing the compactness of the design and increased operating reliability.

[0027] On the other hand, the use of a piston driver vertically moveable inside the metering chamber allows the volume of the dispensed dose to be precisely controlled by introducing a limitation to the downward displacement of the piston. The use of the metering stem together with appropriate structures for displacing the piston driver inside the metering chamber provides the end user with the possibility to change the volume of the dispensed dose without help. Moreover, the use of the control knob provided with the coupling structures corresponding to the complementary coupling structures arranged on the releasing stem allows the change of dose volume to be performed more easily and without the need to use specialist tools. Additionally, the dose indicator exposed on the outside of the adjustable dosing valve system provides the end user with information on the selected volume of the dose to be dispensed.

[0028] Moreover, the use of the piston driver stopper ring together with the appropriate positioning of the outlets of the access channels allows the access channels to be closed and the adjustable dosing valve system to be as a result arranged in a closed position. On the other hand, the arrangement of the transfer channel in the charging channel in the position above the lower edge of the piston driver in the minimum dose dispensing position allows the continuous operation of the adjustable dosing valve system. The subject matter of the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed in the attached examples and can be applied to valves of any types and configurations, without diverting from the scope of the invention. All valve constructions, their positions and their relative arrangement (including vertical, horizontal, and diagonal configurations) known to a person skilled in the art will be suitable for application in the present invention, and the given embodiments are not intended to limit the invention to the disclosed structures and types of valve systems. Importantly, the invention is not to be interpreted as limited to the aerosol technique, and on the contrary, this adjustable dosing valve system is applicable in any dispensing systems which involve elevated pressures of the dispensed product, and which require the ensuring of repeatable and precisely metered volumes of the dispensed product. The non-limiting applications of this adjustable dosing valve system include food-processing techniques for dispensing fluids under pressure, for example beer or non-alcoholic beverages.

[0029] Embodiments of the invention are presented in the drawing, in which:

[0030] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system according to the invention with the filled maximum dose;

[0031] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable dosing valve system according to Fig. 1 during the discharge of the maximum dose;

[0032] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable dosing valve system according to Fig. 1 after the discharge of the maximum dose;

[0033] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable dosing valve system according to Fig. 1 during the filling of an intermediate dose;

[0034] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable dosing valve system according to Fig. 1 during the discharge of the intermediate dose;

[0035] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable dosing valve system according to Fig. 1 after the discharge of the intermediate dose;

[0036] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable dosing valve system according to Fig. 1 during the filling of the container; Fig. 8 is an axonometric view of the adjustable dosing valve system according to Fig. 2 during the discharge of the maximum dose;

[0037] Fig. 9 is an axonometric view of the adjustable dosing valve system according to Fig. 4 during the filling of the intermediate dose;

[0038] Fig. 10 is an axonometric view of the adjustable dosing valve system according to Fig. 7 during the filling of the container;

[0039] Fig. 11 is an exploded axonometric view of the adjustable dosing valve system according to Fig. 1;

[0040] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system according to the invention with the filled maximum dose;

[0041] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable dosing valve system according to Fig. 12 during the discharge of the maximum dose;

[0042] Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable dosing valve system according to Fig. 12 after the discharge of the maximum dose;

[0043] Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable dosing valve system according to Fig. 12 during the filling of an intermediate dose;

[0044] Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable dosing valve system according to Fig. 12 during the discharge of the intermediate dose;

[0045] Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable dosing valve system according to Fig. 12 after the discharge of the intermediate dose;

[0046] Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system according to the invention with the filled intermediate dose;

[0047] Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable dosing valve system according to Fig. 18 during the discharge of the intermediate dose;

[0048] Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable dosing valve system according to Fig. 18 in the position of continuous discharge; Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable dosing valve system according to Fig. 18 during continuous discharge;

[0049] Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable dosing valve system according to Fig. 18 in the closed position;

[0050] Figs. 23 A)-B) are, respectively, an axonometric and a side view of the releasing stem of the adjustable dosing valve system according to Fig. 18;

[0051] Figs. 24 A)-C) are, respectively, an axonometric, a side and a bottom view of the piston driver of the adjustable dosing valve system according to Fig. 18;

[0052] Figs. 25 A)-B) are, respectively, an axonometric and a cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system according to the invention.

[0053] Example 1

[0054] The first embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system of this invention is shown in the cross-sectional views of Figs. 1 - 7, in the axonometric cross-sectional views of Figs. 8 - 10, and in the exploded axonometric view of Fig. 11. In this embodiment, the adjustable dosing valve system is dedicated to solutions known in the art of aerosol techniques, i.e. to aerosol containers. The embodiment is in the form of a system integrated with a container comprising a pressurized product for dispensing, such as an aerosol container 15. The structure of the adjustable dosing valve system, integrated with the container, is not a limitation to the scope of this invention and in alternative embodiments it is possible to have a structure of the adjustable dosing valve system in the form of an adapter being a separate structural element which is intended for mounting on containers comprising a pressurized product for dispensing.

[0055] Generally, the adjustable dosing valve system of this invention comprises a metering chamber 1, which is defined by the upper wall (referred to as the upper body 34), the side wall and the lower wall (referred to as the lower body 35). In this embodiment, the metering chamber 1 assumes a cylindrical shape, but this shape is not a limitation to the scope of this invention. A charging port 2 extends from the metering chamber 1, i.e. from its lower body 35. In this embodiment, the charging port 2 takes the form of a bush which is connected with the inner vessel for storing the metered product, e.g. in the form of a bag known in the BOV (bag-on-valve) technology.

[0056] The charging port 2 is to provide a pressure-tight fluid connection with the container (e.g. with the BOV bag) present in the aerosol container 15 for transferring the product present in the container through the adjustable dosing valve system into the space outside.

[0057] Importantly, the charging port 2 is in the form of a pin, on which a vessel with the metered product, for example a bag-on-valve (BOV) known in the art, is mounted directly.

[0058] In the metering chamber 1, there is arranged a piston 5, which is vertically moveable to its terminal positions or to the respective limiting structures. The piston 5 divides the metering chamber 1 into a propulsion space 10 which is located under the piston 5 (i.e. in the space adjacent to the charging port 2) and a dose space 12, which is located above the piston 5. In the metering chamber 1, there are additionally arranged resilient means 6, in the form of a piston spring, whose ends are supported against the inner surface of the upper body 34 of the metering chamber 1 and against the upper surface of the piston 5. The resilient means 6 exert a pressure on the piston 5 towards the charging port 2.

[0059] The charging port 2 is in fluid communication with the metering chamber 1 through respective access channels 25 which allow the product to be delivered to the metering chamber 1. As a result, the product flowing through the charging port 2 is first delivered through the access channels 25 to the propulsion space 10 of the metering chamber 1.

[0060] A charging channel 7 extends coaxially through the metering chamber 1. In this embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system, the charging channel 7 is formed by a bush 13 extending coaxially through the metering chamber 1. Inside the bush 13, there moves a part of a stem block 4, while preserving a distance from the inner surface of the bush 13 for providing the flow of the product in the thus formed charging channel 7. It should be additionally noted that the piston 5 hermetically surrounds and moves on the outer surface of the piston driver 19, which is arranged on the bush 13. At its end proximal with respect to the charging port 2, the charging channel 7 has a charging opening 8, which is closed by a closure 9 (see Figs. 1 - 7). In this embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system, the closure 9 is a cylindrical rubber seal with a discrete change of the diameter. The closure 9 is mounted to the bottom part of the stem block 4 and moves together with it. The bottom part of the closure 9 has a diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the charging opening 8 in such a manner that when in the closed position (see Figs. 2, 3, 5), it hermetically closes the charging opening 8, preventing the flow of the metered product.

[0061] In its upper part, i.e. at the end proximal with respect to the releasing stem 3, the charging channel 7 has a dose opening 11, which is formed in the bush 13 and which connects the charging channel 7 with the dose space 12 above the piston 5.

[0062] The releasing stem 3 extends from the upper body 34 of the metering chamber 1. In this embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system, the releasing stem 3 and the accompanying structures are a standard solution commonly used in aerosol valve systems. In more detail, the releasing stem 3 is a pipe structure with an outlet channel extending coaxially. The releasing stem 3 is connected with the stem block 4 extending towards the charging port 2. In the region where the releasing stem 3 connects to the stem block 4, there is located an outlet opening 26 extending substantially radially through the releasing stem 3 and connecting to the outlet channel of the releasing stem 3. In the rest position of the aerosol container 15 (see Fig. 1), the outlet opening 26 is closed by a seal 27 comprising a rubber flat ring gasket which surrounds the releasing stem 3 and which is deformed from the bottom by the releasing stem 3 (see Fig. 2). The deformation of the seal 27 causes the outlet opening 26 to open and allows the dose to be ejected through the outlet channel of the releasing stem 3 to the outside of the adjustable dosing valve system. It should be observed that the releasing stem 3 and the stem block 4 are provided with all of the elements required for the proper operation of such an adjustable valve system, commonly used in the art, such as a stem spring 28 exerting pressure on the releasing stem 3 in the direction opposite with respect to the end of the charging port 2 for keeping the outlet opening 26 closed by means of the relevant seal 27 when the adjustable dosing valve system is in the rest position. In this embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system, the piston 5 arranged in the metering chamber 1 hermetically surrounds and moves on the outer surface of the piston driver 19 arranged on the bush 13, so that when in operation, it moves along the piston driver 19 while maintaining pressure tightness and the separation of the propulsion space 10 from the dose space 12.

[0063] It should be noted that in the embodiment of the dosing valve system shown in Fig. 1, the piston 5 is illustrated in its lowermost position, wherein the closure 9 is in the raised position, so that fluid communication between the charging opening 8 and the propulsion space 12 of the metering chamber 1 is preserved.

[0064] The piston driver 19 is arranged in the metering chamber 1 for providing the function of adjusting the volume of the dispensed dose of the product. The structure of the piston driver 19 is better illustrated in the expanded axonometric view of Fig. 11. The piston driver 19 is arranged in the metering chamber 1 and is in the form of a cylinder surrounding the bush 13 and moving vertically relative to the bush 13. At the lower end of the piston driver 19 there is arranged a stopper ring 20, extending radially from the axis of the piston driver 19. During the operation of the dosing valve system, the stopper ring 20 is in contact with the annular inner region of the piston 5 and is for it the stop of its vertical movement (downwards), as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. In the upper part of the piston driver 19, there is formed the outer thread 21 of the driver. On the other hand, in the upper body 34 of the metering chamber 1, there is formed a cylindrical opening whose axis corresponds to the axis of the entire system and whose inner surface has the body thread 22 arranged thereon, complementary with the piston driver thread 21. The rotational movement of the piston driver 19 around its axis causes the vertical displacement of the piston driver 19 by means of interaction between the piston driver thread 21 and the body thread 22. Additionally, as best illustrated in Fig. 11, in the region of the piston driver thread 21, the piston driver 19 comprises at least one driver channel 30, which is a longitudinal slot formed from the upper edge of the piston driver 19 and extending vertically downwards along the length of the piston driver thread 21. The driver channel 30 is a transfer channel between the inner space and the outer space of the piston driver 19. The driver channel 30 is a transfer channel for the dispensed product in the region of the engaged threads, i.e. of the piston driver thread 21 and of the body thread 22. This embodiment shows the piston driver 19 comprising four driver channels 30 arranged at equal angular distances along the circumference of the piston driver 19, but this configuration is not a limitation to the scope of the present invention and in alternative embodiments of the adjustable dosing valve system there may be a greater or smaller number of driver channels 30 having geometries different than that shown in Fig. 11, on condition that the dispensed dose of the product is allowed to flow through the region of the piston driver thread 21 and body thread 22 engaged with each other.

[0065] Moreover, the piston driver 19 has in its upper end piston driver blocking means 32, which are in this non-limiting embodiment formed by a substantially rectangular opening made in the upper wall of the piston driver 19. Importantly, the blocking means 32 in the form of a rectangular opening are complementary to the geometry of the stem block 4, which (as depicted in Fig. 11) has an outer shape complementary to the substantially rectangular opening in the upper wall of the piston driver 19. The flat-cut side surfaces of the stem block 4 are thus releasing stem blocking means 33, wherein the piston driver blocking means 32 and the releasing stem blocking means 33 form a complementary form-fit connection allowing the transfer of the rotational motion of the releasing stem 3 to the rotational motion of the piston driver 19. For ensuring the flow of the product through the upper wall of the piston driver 19, the opening forming the piston driver blocking means 32 can have at least one dimension larger than the dimension of the complementary releasing stem blocking means 33 or can comprise additional through openings, such as the piston driver openings 41 shown in Fig. 11.

[0066] In order to change the volume of the dispensed dose, the end user can change the position of the piston driver 19 by rotating the releasing stem 3 (accessible from the outside of the system). The rotation in one direction (consistent with the hand of the thread) causes the position of the piston driver 19 to lower inside the metering chamber 1, and the rotation in the opposite direction causes the position of the piston driver 19 to rise and therefore limits the movement range of the piston 5 in the metering chamber 1 by blocking the further lowering of the piston 5 by means of the piston driver stopper ring

[0067] 20. Figs. 1 - 3 show the adjustable dosing valve system in which the piston driver 19 is arranged in the lowermost position, allowing the maximum stroke of the piston 5 (which translates into the dispensing of the maximum available dose of the product). Figs. 4 - 6, on the other hand, show the adjustable dosing valve system in which the piston driver 19 is arranged in an intermediate position, allowing a smaller stroke of the piston 5 by limiting the ability of the piston 5 to be displaced at a greater distance. As a result, it is possible to control and adjust the volume of the dose to be dispensed from the adjustable dosing valve system.

[0068] For providing the end user with the possibility to change the volume of the dispensed dose, the adjustable dosing valve system is moreover provided with a control knob 39. The control knob 39, in this embodiment in the form of a dispensing cap ended with a dispensing nozzle 23, is rotationally mounted on the upper part of the aerosol container 15. The control knob 39 comprises a central opening accommodating the releasing stem 3. On the releasing stem 3, in the region of the control knob 39, there are formed releasing stem coupling means 37, fitted and complementary with control knob coupling means 38 formed on the inner surface of the central opening of the control knob 39. In this embodiment, the flat-cut planes on the side surface of the releasing stem 3 form the releasing stem coupling means 37 (the cross-sectional shape of the releasing stem 3 in the upper part is a polygon, preferably a regular polygon, such as the hexagon shown in Fig. 11), and the complementary planes in the central opening of the control knob 39 form the control knob coupling means 38. The releasing stem 3 is thus blocked together with the control knob 39, and therefore the rotation of the control knob 39 ensures the simultaneous rotation of the releasing stem 3, and thus a change in the position of the piston driver 19 inside the metering chamber 1, and therefore a change in the volume of the dispensed dose. For providing quantitative data on the volume of the dose corresponding to the particular position of the piston driver 19, there is a dose indicator 31 arranged on the outer surface of the side wall of an intermediate ring 40. In this embodiment, the dose indicator 31 is realized by a scale arranged on the external surface of the side wall of the intermediate ring 40 and by the side wall of the control knob 39 which, together with the lowering of the control knob 39 as a result of performing rotational motion, covers the individual values on the scale of the dose indicator 31, thus exposing the current value of the dose volume.

[0069] Additionally, in this embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system, there is a filling check valve 14 arranged in the stem block 4. The filling check valve 14 is a sealing ball subjected to a force exerted by a spring pressing towards the releasing stem 3, but this is not a limitation to the scope of the invention and in alternative embodiments it is possible to use a check valve 14 of a different construction, on condition that a one-way fluid communication is ensured through the releasing stem 3, such as a non-return valve design. The implemented check valve 14 is of significance in the operation of filling the aerosol container 15 and allows an effective filling of the inner vessel of the container. For this purpose, the closure 9 in this embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system is a seal with a hollowed central opening providing the flow of the product through the charging port 2 and to the inner vessel. Importantly, during the operation of filling the aerosol container 15, the releasing stem 3 remains in the rest position (not pressed).

[0070] The adjustable dosing valve system operates in the following steps. Fig. 1 shows the adjustable dosing valve system in the rest position, in which the metering chamber 1 has been fully filled with the product flowing from the BOV-type bag container. In this position, the adjustable dosing valve system is ready to be used, i.e. to dispense the dose set via the control knob 29. As depicted in Fig. 1, in this embodiment the dose is set to maximum volume by arranging the piston driver 19 in the lowermost position in the metering chamber 1. In this position, the piston 5 can move downwards also to the lowermost position and as a result define a dose that corresponds to the volume of the dose space 12. Fig. 2 shows the initial step of releasing the maximum dose stored in the metering chamber 1. The process of dispensing the product dose together with the flow paths is illustrated in more detail in the partially cross-sectional axonometric view of Fig. 8.

[0071] In order to dispense a product of a defined dose (volume), i.e. of a dose selected with the use of the above-described volume-control system, the releasing stem 3 is pressed. The pressing of the releasing stem 3 causes the stem block 4 to move towards the charging port 2 and the charging opening 8 to be closed by the closure 9 in the form of a rubber seal. In this state the product can no longer flow through the charging channel 7 to the dose space 12 of the metering chamber 1. As the releasing stem 3 moves, the seal 27 is deformed, which results in the opening of the outlet opening 26 leading through the outlet channel of the releasing stem 3 to the outside of the adjustable dosing valve system (through the control knob 39 and the dispensing nozzle 23). In such a situation, the pressure exerted by the product on the piston 5 in the propulsion space 10 results in the vertical movement of the piston 5 towards the releasing stem 3 and in the simultaneous ejection of the product dose present in the dose space 12 of the metering chamber 1. The pressure exerted on the piston 5 by the pressurized product present in the propulsion space 10 is greater than the pressure exerted in the opposite direction by the piston resilient means 6. The piston 5 moves until it reaches its upper terminal position, as shown in Fig. 3. During the dispensing of the dose, the product flows from the dose space 12, through the piston driver channels 30, and further through the channels formed between the outer surface of the stem block 4 and the inner surface of the side wall of the metering chamber 1, through the outlet opening 26 to the inner channel of the releasing stem 3 and further through the channels in the control knob 39, through the dispensing nozzle 23 to the outside of the system. The position of the adjustable dosing valve system after the dispensing of the maximum dose is shown in Fig. 3, in which the piston 5 has reached its maximum upper position.

[0072] Releasing the pressing force on the releasing stem 3 causes the releasing stem 3 to return to its original position due to the pressure from the stem spring 28 and the outlet opening 26 to be closed again while the charging opening 8 is opened and the propulsion space 10 and the dose space 12 of the metering chamber 1 are filled until reaching the position shown in Fig. 1, i.e. until reaching a state of readiness to eject another dose of a selected volume. The flow of the product during the filling of the metering chamber 1 is shown in detail in Fig. 9. The product flows from the bag of the BOV system through the charging port 2 and simultaneously through the access channels 25 to the metering chamber 1. The product flows through the open charging opening 8 and further through the charging channel 7 formed by the bush 13, and then flows through the dose openings 11, the piston driver openings 41 and the piston driver channels 30 to the propulsion space 10 and further to the dose space 12 of the metering chamber 1. In this state, the outlet opening 26 in the releasing stem 3 remains closed. As the product flows to the dose space 12, the piston 5 starts to move towards the charging port 2, until it reaches its terminal position shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 9. As the pressure of the product present in the propulsion space 10 is equal to the pressure of the product present in the dose space 12, the movement of the piston 5 is aided by the pressure force due to the piston resilient means 6. Fig. 1 and Fig. 9 show the state of the adjustable dosing valve system in the position of being completely charged with the product to be dispensed.

[0073] For obtaining a dose of a smaller volume than the volume of the maximum dose shown in Fig. 1, the control knob 39 should be rotated to the position indicated by the subsequent value on the dose indicator 31. The rotation of the control knob 39 causes a simultaneous rotation of the releasing stem 3, which in turn transfers this rotational movement to the piston driver 19. The rotational movement of the piston driver 19 causes its vertical transfer upwards via the coupled piston driver thread 21 and the body thread 22, as described in detail above. The adjustable dosing valve system of this invention in the intermediate position of the dispensed product dose is shown in Fig. 4, and due to the fact that the filling mechanism (the product flow paths) is analogical to that shown above, it will not be repeated for the clarity of this disclosure. Fig. 4 shows the adjustable dosing valve system with the filled metering chamber 1 having a volume corresponding to the intermediate dose. Fig. 5 shows the beginning of the dispensing of the intermediate dose by pressing the releasing stem 3. The flow of the product in this position is identical to the flow of the product described in the context of dispensing the maximum volume of the dose. After the dispensation of the intermediate dose is complete, the piston 5 is in the maximum upper position, as shown in Fig. 6. The releasing of the releasing stem 3 again causes the initiation of the actions of filling the metering chamber 1, in accordance with the above-described procedure. This process is repeated until the vessel in the aerosol container 15 is completely emptied.

[0074] Moreover, Fig. 10 shows the operation of filling the product vessel inside the aerosol container 15. The filling of the vessel (the bag of the BOV system) is realized through the releasing stem 3 (with the removed control knob 39), which is in the pressed position in which the outlet opening 26 is open. The product is introduced through the central channel of the releasing stem 3 and further through the outlet openings 26 and the central channel formed in the stem block 4. The product flows through the non-return filling check valve 14, through the opening formed in the closure 9, and further through the charging opening 8 and through the charging port 2 to the vessel in the form of the BOV- type bag. Thus, the action of filling the product vessel inside the aerosol container 15 is realized.

[0075] Example 2

[0076] The second embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system of the present invention is shown in the cross-sectional views of Figs. 12 - 17.

[0077] The container with the adjustable dosing valve system is similar in construction to the construction of the container with the adjustable dosing valve system presented in the first embodiment, and therefore similar components will not be described again for the clarity of this disclosure.

[0078] Unlike in the first embodiment of the invention, the second embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system is in the form of an adapter mounted on the aerosol container 15. The adjustable dosing valve system in the form of an adapter is a separate structural element which is intended for mounting on the aerosol container 15.

[0079] As shown in Fig. 14, the charging port 2 extends from the metering chamber 1, from its lower body 35, towards the aerosol container 15. In this embodiment, in which the adjustable dosing valve system takes the form of an adapter mounted on the aerosol container 15, the purpose of the charging port 2 is to provide a pressure-tight fluid connection with the aerosol container 15 for transferring the product present in the aerosol container 15, through the adjustable dosing valve system, to the outer space. Importantly, the charging port 2, depending on what type of the aerosol container 15 it is dedicated to, can assume the form of a male valve connector or a female valve connector. The embodiment presented in Figs. 12 - 17 is an adjustable dosing valve system in the form of an adapter mounted on the aerosol container 15 with a receiving seat, i.e. with a female aerosol valve, and therefore the charging port 2 is a male valve connector. Importantly, the connection of the adjustable dosing valve system with the aerosol container 15 causes the aerosol valve present in the aerosol container 15 to become permanently open and the product to be constantly delivered to the inner spaces of the adjustable dosing valve system.

[0080] Another important difference lies in the construction of the charging channel 7. In this embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system, the charging channel 7 is formed in the stem block 4. In its upper part, i.e. at the end proximal with respect to the releasing stem 3, the charging channel 7 has a dose opening 11 connecting the charging channel 7 with the dose space 12 above the piston 5. In this embodiment, the dose opening 11 is formed in the stem block 4 and extends substantially radially through the stem block 4. In this embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system, the piston 5 arranged in the metering chamber 1 hermetically surrounds the charging channel 7, i.e. the stem block 4, on which there is arranged the piston driver 19, and when in operation, it moves along the piston driver 19 while preserving pressure tightness and the separation of the propulsion space 10 from the dose space 12. Additionally, in this embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system, the closure 9 is a cylindrical rubber seal with a discrete change of the diameter and is not provided with the through opening. The lack of the through opening is dictated by the structure of the adjustable dosing valve system in the form of an adapter, owing to which no need exists to fill the aerosol container 15 with the product. For the same reason, the adjustable dosing valve system is not provided with the filling check valve 14. The closure 9 is mounted to the lower body 35 of the metering chamber 1, and its upper portion has a diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the charging channel 7 in such a manner that when in the closed position (see Figs. 13 and 14), it hermetically closes the charging channel 7, preventing the movement of the metered product. In the adjustable dosing valve system of this invention, on the lower body 35 there are formed radially extending communication channels 36, whose purpose is to ensure that during the filling of the metering chamber 1 the product flows from the access channel 25 through the propulsion space 10 to the charging channel 7 in the situation in which the piston driver 19 is in the lowermost position in which the piston driver stopper ring 20 is in contact with the inner wall of the lower body 35. As illustrated in Figs. 12- 17, the lower end region of the side wall of the adjustable dosing valve system in the form of an adapter is provided with the mounting assembly 16 extending along the circumference of the lower edge of the side wall. In this embodiment, the mounting assembly 16 takes the form of a mounting hook extending on the edge side (not shown). The mounting hook 17 is a continuous structure extending along the entire circumference of the edge of the side wall of the system, but in alternative embodiments it can take a discreet form, extending circumferentially with a space provided between the consecutive mounting hooks 17. During the operation of mounting the adjustable dosing valve system in the form of an adapter on the aerosol container 15, a force applied at a vertical direction towards the aerosol container 15 causes an elastic outward deformation of the lower end region of the housing side wall, thus allowing the flange 18 of the aerosol container 15 to be introduced into the inner annular circumferential recess (not shown) adjacent to the mounting hook 17 on the edge side in such a way that the mounting hook 17 is locked against the flange 18 of the aerosol container 15. As a result, the adjustable dosing valve system in the form of an adapter can be mounted on the aerosol container 15 in a quick and relatively easy manner, without the need to use specialist tools.

[0081] Another difference lies in the construction of the control knob 39. In this embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system, the control knob 39 is in the form of a cover rotationally mounted on the upper body 34 of the metering chamber 1. The control knob 39 is not provided with the dispensing nozzle, and as a result it is possible to use dispensing caps mounted on the releasing stem 3, as known in the art. The rotational motion of the control knob 39 causes the rotation of the releasing stem 3 (by coupling the releasing stem coupling means 37 and the control knob coupling means 38).

[0082] The operating principle of the adjustable dosing valve system according to the second embodiment is substantially similar to the operating principle of the adjustable dosing valve system according to the first embodiment. Similarly , the change of the volume of the dispensed dose is realized by the rotation of the control knob 39, which causes the rotation of the releasing stem 3, and this in turn transfers the rotational motion to the piston driver 19 (by means of coupling the piston driver blocking means 32 and the releasing stem blocking means 33), which, owing to the interaction between the piston driver thread 21 and the body thread 22, causes the vertical displacement of the piston driver 19 and the limitation of the movement of the piston 5 on the piston driver stopper ring 20. In the case of the adjustable dosing valve system in the form of an adapter, first the adjustable dosing valve system should be mounted to the aerosol container 15. The mounting of the adjustable dosing valve system entails introducing the charging port 2 in the form of a male valve connector into the valve seat of the aerosol container 15 and simultaneously opening the aerosol valve in the aerosol container 15.

[0083] Fig. 12 shows the adjustable dosing valve system in the rest position, with the filled maximum dose of the product. In Fig. 13, the releasing stem 3 is pressed and the dispensing of the maximum dose starts until it is completely dispensed, as shown in Fig. 14, where the piston 5 is in its maximum upper position inside the metering chamber 1. Fig. 15 shows the following step of filling the metering chamber 1 with a dose, wherein the adjustable dosing valve system is set to an intermediate dose (the piston driver 19 is vertically displaced). Fig. 16 shows the system in the position of starting the dispensing of the intermediate dose, in which the releasing stem 3 is pressed, and Fig. 17 shows the final step of dispensing the intermediate dose, in which the piston 5 is in its upper position in the metering chamber 1.

[0084] Example 3

[0085] The third embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system of the present invention is shown in the cross-sectional views of Figs. 18 - 22. Additionally, Figs. 23 A) - B) show the structure of the releasing stem 3, and Figs. 24 A) - C) show the structure of the piston driver 19.

[0086] The adjustable dosing valve system is similar in construction to the construction of the adjustable dosing valve system presented in the first and in the second embodiment, and therefore similar components will not be described again for the clarity of this disclosure. This embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system is a combination of the technical features disclosed in the first and in the second embodiment. As in the case of the second embodiment, the adjustable dosing valve system according to this embodiment is an adapter mounted on the aerosol container 15. On the other hand, in the context of the charging channel 7 , the structure of these components is similar to the structure of the charging channel 7 and the cooperating elements shown in the first embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system.

[0087] Unlike in the first and in the second embodiment of the invention, the third embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system comprises at least one transfer channel 24 formed in the bush 13 of the charging channel 7. The at least one transfer channel 24 is a through opening formed in the bush 13, arranged at the height greater than the height assumed by the lower edge of the piston driver 19 in the position of the minimum dose of the dispensed product. In effect, if the adjustable dosing valve system of this invention is set to the maximum dose (not shown in the figures), the piston driver 19 covers the transfer channel 24, thus preventing the flow of the product. When the adjustable dosing valve system is in an intermediate dose position (see Figs. 18 and 19), the transfer channel 24 still remains covered by the piston driver 19. And when the control knob 39 is rotated to the position defined as continuous operation, the piston driver 19 is displaced to a greater distance vertically upwards, to the position in which the lower edge of the piston driver 19 no longer covers the transfer channel 24, allowing the flow of the product to the charging channel 7. The operating principle of the adjustable dosing valve system in the continuous operation mode will be described in detail below.

[0088] Additionally, in this embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system, the outlet of the access channel 25 is located in the region of the piston driver stopper ring 20 when the piston driver 19 is in the lowermost position. In this position (see Fig. 22) the adjustable dosing valve system is in the closed position and thus prevents the ejection of any dose of the product. Such an operation of the system is due to the covering of the access channel 25 by the piston driver stopper ring 20, which is in its lowermost position.

[0089] Importantly, the charging opening 8 leads directly to the channel formed in the charging port 2, bypassing the propulsion space 10 of the metering chamber 1, as was the case in the second embodiment. Due to the structure of the charging channel 7 formed by the bush 13, the dose opening 11 in the upper part of the charging channel 7 is formed in the bush 13 and not in the stem block 4, as was the case in the second embodiment. Moreover, Fig. 23 A) shows an axonometric view of the releasing stem 3, and Fig. 23 B) shows a side view of the same releasing stem 3. Unlike in the previous embodiments, the releasing stem 3 comprises, on the outer surface of the stem block 4, the releasing stem blocking means 33 in the form of teeth known in the art of toothed gears. The flat-cut side surfaces are still present, and together with the teeth, they provide the releasing stem blocking means 33. In turn, as shown in the top view of Fig. 24 C), the piston driver 19 has the piston driver blocking means 32 arranged on its inner surface, also in the form of teeth, which are complementary with the teeth of the releasing stem blocking means 33. After being mounted, the piston driver blocking means 32 are coupled with the releasing stem blocking means 33 and allow the rotational motion of the releasing stem 3 to be transferred to the rotational motion of the piston driver 19, for its vertical displacement in the metering chamber 1. Note that in this embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system the piston driver 19 is not provided with the upper wall, and therefore the flat-cut plane of the side surface of the stem block 4 allows the flow of the product through the charging channel 7 also in the region of the piston driver blocking means 32 coupled with the releasing stem blocking means 33.

[0090] As depicted in Figs. 23 A) - B), the releasing stem 3 has in its upper cylindrical part arranged the releasing stem coupling means 37, which are also in the form of teeth. The releasing stem coupling means 37 are in turn complementary with the control knob coupling means 38 arranged on the inner surface of the central opening of the control knob 39. The releasing stem coupling means 37 and the control knob coupling means 38 coupled with each other are responsible for transferring the rotational motion of the control knob 39 to the rotational motion of the releasing stem 3.

[0091] The operating principle of the adjustable dosing valve system according to the third embodiment is substantially similar to the operating principle of the adjustable dosing valve system according to the second embodiment. Similarly , the change of the volume of the dispensed dose is realized by the rotation of the control knob 39, which causes the rotation of the releasing stem 3, and this in turn transfers the rotational motion to the piston driver 19 (by means of coupling the piston driver blocking means 32 and the releasing stem blocking means 33), which, owing to the interaction between the piston driver thread 21 and the body thread 22, causes the vertical displacement of the piston driver 19 and the limitation of the movement of the piston 5 on the piston driver stopper ring 20.

[0092] Fig. 18 shows the adjustable dosing valve system in the position with the set intermediate dose. In this situation, the piston driver 19 is in a position in which the piston driver stopper ring 20 does not cover the outlet of the access channel 25, while the transfer channel 24 remains covered. The operating principle during the dispensing and filling of the metering chamber 1 is analogical to that of the previous embodiments. After the releasing stem 3 is pressed (see Fig. 19), the pressurized product begins to fill the dose space 10, and presses against the piston 5, which causes the ejection of the product stored in the dose space 12. In this position the product cannot flow to the charging channel 7 due to the closed transfer channel 24 and the charging opening 8.

[0093] Fig. 20 shows the adjustable dosing valve system in the continuous operation position. In this mode, the adjustable dosing valve system has the piston driver 19 arranged in the upper position (e.g. in the maximum upper position), in which the lower edge of the piston driver 19 is located above the transfer channel 24, so that the transfer channel 24 is uncovered and allows the flow of the pressurized product. The pressing of the releasing stem 3, as shown in Fig. 21, causes the charging opening 8 to become closed with the closure 9 and the outlet opening 26 in the releasing stem 3 to become open. In this situation, the only path for the product to follow from the aerosol container 15 is through the charging port 2, the access channels 25, the dose space 10, the charging channel 7, the dose opening 11, the outlet opening 26 and to the outside of the adjustable dosing valve system. In this mode, the dose is simultaneously released from the dose space 12 of the metering chamber 1.

[0094] Fig. 22 shows the adjustable dosing valve system in the closed position. In this mode, the adjustable dosing valve system has the piston driver 19 arranged in the lowermost position in which the piston driver stopper ring 20 covers the outlets of the access channels 25. In this situation, the product which is present in the dose space 12 of the metering chamber 1 cannot be dispensed after the releasing stem 3 is pressed and the outlet opening 26 is open. This is due to the fact that the closed access channels 25 do not allow the pressurized product to be introduced into the propulsion space 10 when the releasing stem 3 remains pressed, and therefore the piston 5 without a force acting from below (i.e. due to the pressurized product introduced into the propulsion space 10) will not be displaced to the upper position, and thus it will not allow the dose stored in the dose space 12 to be discharged. Note that after the releasing stem 3 is pressed, the charging opening 8 is also closed by the closure 9, completely isolating the system from the flowing pressurized product.

[0095] In Fig. 13, the releasing stem 3 is pressed and the dispensing of the maximum dose starts until it is completely dispensed, as shown in Fig. 14, where the piston 5 is in its maximum upper position inside the metering chamber 1. Fig. 15 shows the following step of filling the metering chamber 1 with a dose, wherein the adjustable dosing valve system is set to an intermediate dose (the piston driver 19 is vertically displaced). Fig. 16 shows the system in the position of starting the dispensing of the intermediate dose, in which the releasing stem 3 is pressed, and Fig. 17 shows the final step of dispensing the intermediate dose, in which the piston 5 is in its upper position in the metering chamber 1.

[0096] Example 4

[0097] The fourth embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system of this invention is shown in the axonometric view of Fig. 25 A) and in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 25 B).

[0098] The adjustable dosing valve system is similar in construction to the construction of the adjustable dosing valve system presented in the third embodiment, and therefore similar components will not be described again for the clarity of this disclosure. This embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system is a solution dedicated to be mounted on a barrel made of stainless steel, used for storing beer or other food-grade liquids, commonly referred to as a keg. In order to adjust it to be mounted on a keg, the adjustable dosing valve system has been redimensioned for this particular application. For example, the volume of the metering chamber 1 has been increased to correspond for example to the volume of 500 ml, commonly used in dispensing beer. Moreover, the mounting assembly 16 is adjusted to being mounted on the collar of the keg neck, and not on the flange of the aerosol container, as was the case in the previous embodiments. This embodiment of the adjustable dosing valve system has a structure allowing continuous operation, a closed position and an intermediate dose position, as shown in the third embodiment.

[0099] The operating principle of the adjustable dosing valve system of this invention is identical to the operating principle shown in relation to the third embodiment, and therefore it will not be repeated for the clarity of this disclosure.

[0100] List of reference numerals:

[0101] 1 - metering chamber

[0102] 2 - charging port

[0103] 3 - releasing stem

[0104] 4 - stem block

[0105] 5 - piston

[0106] 6 - resilient means

[0107] 7 - charging channel

[0108] 8 - charging opening

[0109] 9 - closure

[0110] 10 - propulsion space

[0111] 11 - dose opening

[0112] 12 - dose space

[0113] 13 - bush

[0114] 14 - filling check valve

[0115] 15 - aerosol container

[0116] 16 - mounting assembly 17 - mounting hook

[0117] 18 - flange of the aerosol container

[0118] 19 - piston driver

[0119] 20 - piston driver stopper ring

[0120] 21 - piston driver thread

[0121] 22 - body thread

[0122] 23 - dispensing nozzle

[0123] 24 - transfer channel

[0124] 25 - access channel

[0125] 26 - outlet opening 1 - seal

[0126] 28 - stem spring

[0127] 29 - indicator window

[0128] 30 - piston driver channel

[0129] 31 - dose indicator

[0130] 32 - piston driver blocking means

[0131] 33 - releasing stem blocking means

[0132] 34 - upper body

[0133] 35 - lower body

[0134] 36 - communication channel

[0135] 37 - releasing stem coupling means

[0136] 38 - control knob coupling means - control knob - intermediate ring - piston driver opening

Claims

Claims1. An adjustable dosing valve system for dispensing a metered dose of a product comprising: a metering chamber (1) defined by a side wall, an upper wall and a lower wall, a charging port (2) extending from the bottom wall of the metering chamber (1), a releasing stem (3) extending from the upper wall of the metering chamber (1), a piston (5) arranged in the metering chamber (1) and moveable in the metering chamber (1), resilient means (6) exerting pressure on the piston (5) towards the charging port (2), a charging channel (7) connecting the charging port (2) with a propulsion space (10) under the piston (5) and with a dose space (12) above the piston (5), characterized in that the system comprises a piston driver (19) arranged in the metering chamber (1) and moveable in the metering chamber (1), wherein at its lower end the piston driver (19) has a piston driver stopper ring (20), which prevents the movement of the piston (5) downwards, wherein the piston driver (19) has piston driver blocking means (32) complementary with releasing stem blocking means (33) for transferring the rotational motion of the releasing stem (3) to the piston driver (19), wherein the piston driver (19) has an outer piston driver thread (21) complementary with a body thread (22) formed on the inner surface of the upper wall of the metering chamber (1), wherein the piston driver (19) comprises at least one piston driver channel (30) at least in the region of the piston driver thread (21).

2. The adjustable dosing valve system according to claim 1, characterized in that the releasing stem (3) is connected with the stem block (4) extending towards the charging port (2).

3. The adjustable dosing valve system according to claim 1 or 1, characterized in that the charging channel (7) in the metering chamber (1) is arranged coaxially, wherein the charging channel (7) has a charging opening (8) closed by a closure (9) and connecting the charging channel (7) with the propulsion space (10) under the piston (5) and / or with the charging port (2) and a dose opening (11) connecting the charging channel (7) with the dose space (12) above the piston (5), wherein the piston driver (19) hermetically surrounds the charging channel (7).

4. The adjustable dosing valve system according to claim 3, characterized in that the charging channel (7) is a bush (13) extending coaxially through the metering chamber (1) in which there is moveably arranged the stem block (4).

5. The adjustable dosing valve system according to claim 3, characterized in that the charging channel (7) is hollowed out in the stem block (4).

6. The adjustable dosing valve system according to any of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that there is a filling check valve (14) arranged in the stem block (4).

7. The adjustable dosing valve system according to any of claims 1 - 6, characterized in that it is in a form of an adapter for mounting to an external container containing the dispensed product and is provided with a mounting assembly (16).

8. The adjustable dosing valve system according to claim 7, characterized in that the mounting assembly (16) is provided with at least one circumferentially arranged mounting hook (17) for a snap fit connection with a flange (18) of the container containing the dispensed product or with a collar of its neck.

9. The adjustable dosing valve system according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the charging port (2) is a male valve connector or a female valve connector.

10. The adjustable dosing valve system according to any of claims 1 - 6, characterized in that it is arranged inside the container containing the dispensed product.

11. The adjustable dosing valve system according to any of claims 1 - 10, characterized in that it additionally comprises a dose indicator (31) exposed on the outside of the adjustable dosing valve system.

12. The adjustable dosing valve system according to any of claims 1 - 11 characterized in that it has a rotatable control knob (39), wherein the control knob (39) has a central opening penetrated by the releasing stem (3), and on the inner surface of the central opening of the control knob (39) there are arranged control knob coupling means (38) which are complementary with releasing stem coupling means (37) for transferring the rotational motion of the control knob (39) to the releasing stem (3).

13. The adjustable dosing valve system according to any of claims 1 - 12 characterized in that it has a transfer channel (24) connecting the charging channel (7) with the metering chamber (1), wherein the transfer channel (24) is arranged at the height greater than the height assumed by the lower edge of the piston driver (19) in the position of the minimum dose of the dispensed product.

14. The adjustable dosing valve system according to any of claims 1 - 13 characterized in that the outlet of the access channel (25) is located in the region of the piston driver stopper ring (20) when the piston driver (19) is in the lowermost position.

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