Dosing valve system

Abstract

The object of the invention is a dosing valve system for dispensing a metered dose of product comprising: a metering chamber (1) defined by a side wall, a top wall and a bottom wall; a charging port (2) extending from the bottom wall of the metering chamber (1); a releasing stem (3) extending from the top wall of the metering chamber (1); a piston (5) arranged 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), wherein the system comprises in the metering chamber (1) a dose cup (19) connected with the releasing stem (3), having an upper wall, a side wall and an open lower end, wherein the piston (5) is arranged in the dose cup (19) so as to provide separation of the propulsion space (10) under the piston (5) from the dose space (12) above the piston (5), and is moveable within the dose cup (19), wherein between the outer surface of the side wall and the upper wall of the dose cup (19) and the inner surface of the side wall and the top wall of the metering chamber (1) there is formed a communication channel (20), wherein the dose cup (19) has in the upper wall a cup opening (22) connecting the dose space (12) with the communication channel (20), wherein the dosing valve system has an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position the lower region of the side wall of the dose cup (19) is lowered and closes the passage between the propulsion space (10) and the communication channel (20), and in the closed position the lower region of the side wall of the dose cup (19) is raised and opens the passage between the propulsion space (10) and the communication channel (20).

Description

[0001] Dosing valve system

[0002] The present invention relates to a dosing valve system. The object of the invention is applied inter alia in pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic, and chemical industries, particularly for dispensing products at a defined, repeatable 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 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.

[0007] A container for dispensing a metered 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.

[0008] 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 filling process of 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 a 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 metering 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 metering chamber filling stage.

[0009] Document PL244401B1 discloses an adjustable metering 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 blocking means fitted with blocking means arranged on the inner surface of the side wall of the metering chamber.

[0010] The technical problem of the present invention is to provide a 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. It is also desirable that the dosing valve system has a relatively simple construction, which would in particular not influence the structure and external dimensions of the dosing valve system. It is moreover desirable to provide a dosing valve system in which the dispensed product is not in contact with the propellant gas in the case of using the dosing valve system in an aerosol technique. Moreover, it is desirable to provide a dosing valve system having reduced external dimensions and increased operating reliability. It is also desired that the dosing valve system is a universal solution suitable for use in standard aerosol containers and is exchangeable, wherein the introduction of the dosing valve system on the aerosol container does not require the use of specialist tools.

[0011] The object of the invention is a dosing valve system for dispensing a metered dose of 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; 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, characterized in that the system comprises in the metering chamber a dose cup connected with the releasing stem, having an upper wall, a side wall and an open lower end, wherein the piston is arranged in the dose cup so as to provide separation of the propulsion space under the piston from the dose space above the piston, and is moveable within the dose cup, wherein between the outer surface of the side wall and the upper wall of the dose cup and the inner surface of the side wall and the top wall of the metering chamber there is formed a communication channel, wherein the dose cup has a cup opening in the upper wall, connecting the dose space with the communication channel, wherein the dosing valve system has an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position the lower region of the side wall of the dose cup is lowered and closes the passage between the propulsion space and the communication channel, and in the closed position the lower region of the side wall of the dose cup is raised and opens the passage between the propulsion space and the communication channel.

[0012] Preferably, the bottom wall of the metering chamber has an annular chamber seat which receives the lower edge of the side wall of the dose cup in the open position of the dosing valve system and / or the bottom wall or the side wall of the metering chamber has a sealing ring which is in tight contact with the lower edge of the side wall of the dose cup in the open position of the dosing valve system.

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

[0014] Preferably, the dosing valve system comprises a bush extending coaxially from the bottom wall of the metering chamber, in which the releasing stem is moveably arranged.

[0015] Preferably, the bush has a transfer channel and / or the bottom wall of the metering chamber has an access channel connecting the charging channel with the propulsion space of the metering chamber.

[0016] Preferably, ribbing is formed on the inner surface of the side wall of the metering chamber and / or on the outer surface of the side wall of the dose cup.

[0017] Preferably, the 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] Preferably, the charging port is a male valve connector or a female valve connector.

[0020] Preferably, the charging port is the lower part of the releasing stem.

[0021] Preferably, the dosing valve system is arranged inside the container containing the dispensed product.

[0022] Preferably, the piston has a piston spring arranged on the side of the propulsion space, wherein the piston spring has a stiffness greater than the stiffness of the resilient means.

[0023] Preferably, the transfer channel is arranged on the bush at a height above the height of the piston after full deformation of the piston spring. Preferably, a filling channel extends in the stem block, in the region of which there is arranged a filling check valve.

[0024] Preferably, the charging port has in the region of the lower end at least one groove on the inner surface, and the releasing stem has in the lower part a closure, wherein in the closed state of the dosing valve system the closure closes the charging port, and in the open state of the dosing valve system the closure is displaced to the region of the groove, so that the groove provides the flow of the product to the charging channel.

[0025] The dosing valve system according to the present invention, owing to the use of the metering chamber with the piston moveable inside, 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 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 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.

[0026] On the other hand, the realizing of the dosing valve system in a form integrated with the container with the pressurized product, in which the 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 defined 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.

[0027] Importantly, the construction of the piston in a such a form that it surrounds the bush causes the operating piston to move being guided along the bush, 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), and also provides reduced resistance of the releasing stem, which influences the convenience of use by the end user. As a result, the dosing valve system has reduced external dimensions, influencing the compactness of the design and increased reliability and convenience of operation.

[0028] On the other hand, the use of the dose cup integrated with the releasing stem influences the simplification of the structure and advantages in manufacturing such a structure by reducing the number of components of the dosing valve system.

[0029] Moreover, the structure of the dosing valve system comprising the piston spring provides additional functionality of charging the product vessel without the need to lift the lid of the container in which the vessel is contained. The use of ribbing in sliding contact with the outer surface of the side wall of the dose cup causes stabilization of the vertical movement of the dose cup, thus preventing deviations from the vertical axis of the dose cup, which increases the operating reliability of the dosing valve system of the present invention.

[0030] On the other hand, the structure of the releasing stem comprising the closure together with the structure of the charging port comprising the grooves provide the possibility to close the charging channel and thus to cut off the product vessel from the internal structures of the dosing valve system in its rest state.

[0031] 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 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 dosing valve system include food-processing techniques for dispensing fluids under pressure, for example beer or non-alcoholic beverages.

[0032] Embodiments of the invention are presented in the drawing, in which:

[0033] Fig. 1 is an axonometric cross-sectional view of the dosing valve system according to the first embodiment of the invention in the state filled with a dose of the dispensed product;

[0034] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dosing valve system of Fig. 1 in the state filled with a dose of the dispensed product;

[0035] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the dosing valve system of Fig. 1 after the release of the dose of the dispensed product;

[0036] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the dosing valve system of Fig. 1 during the filling of the container;

[0037] Fig. 5 is an exploded axonometric view of the dosing valve system of Fig. 1;

[0038] Fig. 6 is an axonometric cross-sectional view of the dosing valve system according to the second embodiment of the invention in the state filled with a dose of the dispensed product;

[0039] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the dosing valve system of Fig. 6 in the state filled with a dose of the dispensed product;

[0040] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the dosing valve system of Fig. 6 after the release of the dose of the dispensed product;

[0041] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the dosing valve system of Fig. 6 during the filling of the container;

[0042] Fig. 10 is an exploded axonometric view of the dosing valve system of Fig. 6;

[0043] Fig. 11 is an axonometric cross-sectional view of the dosing valve system according to the third embodiment of the invention in the state filled with a dose of the dispensed product;

[0044] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the dosing valve system of Fig. 11 in the state filled with a dose of the dispensed product; Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the closing valve system of Fig. 11 after the release of the dose of the dispensed product;

[0045] Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the dosing valve system of Fig. 11 during the filling of the container;

[0046] Fig. 15 is an exploded axonometric view of the dosing valve system of Fig. 11;

[0047] Fig. 16 is an axonometric cross-sectional view of the dosing valve system according to the fourth embodiment of the invention in the state filled with a dose of the dispensed product;

[0048] Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the dosing valve system of Fig. 16 in the state filled with a dose of the dispensed product;

[0049] Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the dosing valve system of Fig. 16 after the release of the dose of the dispensed product;

[0050] Fig. 19 is an exploded axonometric view of the dosing valve system of Fig. 11;

[0051] Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the dosing valve system according to another embodiment of the invention in the state filled with a dose of the dispensed product;

[0052] Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the dosing valve system of Fig. 20 after the release of the dose of the dispensed product.

[0053] Example 1

[0054] The first embodiment of the dosing valve system of the present invention is shown in the axonometric cross-sectional view of Fig. 1, in the cross-sectional views of Figs. 2 - 4 and in the exploded axonometric view of Fig. 5. In this embodiment, the 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 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 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 (as shown in one of the following embodiments of the invention).

[0055] Generally, the dosing valve system of this invention comprises a metering chamber 1, which is defined by the top wall (referred to as the upper body 34), the side wall and the bottom 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.

[0056] A charging port 2 extends from the metering chamber 1, 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. 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 dosing valve system into the outer space.

[0057] Importantly, in the metering chamber 1 there is arranged a dose cup 19. The dose cup 19 is formed by a upper wall, a side wall and has an open lower end. The dose cup 19 is connected with the releasing stem 3, as best illustrated in Fig. 5. In this embodiment, the dose cup 19 and the releasing stem 3 are integrated with each other and form a single element, which provides advantages in manufacturing and, by reducing the number of individual components of the system, increases the operating reliability of the dosing valve system of the invention. Alternatively, the dose cup 19 may be a separate element which is permanently connected with the releasing stem 3, for example by means of a gluing, welding or bonding technique.

[0058] In this embodiment, the dose cup 19 has a side wall which is a cylindrical structure, but the invention is not limited to this particular shape. As depicted in the figures, in the dose cup 19 there is arranged a piston 5, which is vertically moveable to its terminal positions, i.e. within the dose cup 19. The piston 5 divides the inner space of the dose cup 19 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 dose cup 19, there are additionally arranged resilient means 6, in the form of a spring, whose ends are supported against the inner surface of the upper wall of the dose cup 19 and the upper surface of the piston 5. The resilient means 6 exert a pressure on the piston 5 towards the charging port 2. Importantly, the piston 5 tightly surrounds the releasing stem 3 (more precisely the stem block 4) and its side edge rests against the inner surface of the side wall of the dose cup 19, providing fluid separation of the propulsion space 10 and the dose space 12, while preserving the possibility of vertical movement of the piston 5 inside the dose cup 19.

[0059] Between the outer surface of the side wall and the upper wall of the dose cup 19 and the inner surface of the side wall and the top wall of the metering chamber 1 there is formed a communication channel 20 through which the metered product flows during the filling of the metering chamber 1.

[0060] In this embodiment of the invention, on the inner surface of the side wall of the metering chamber 1 there is formed ribbing 23, in the form of vertically extending blocks of material, with free spaces left between them forming a part of the communication channel 20. The ribbing 23 is in sliding contact with the outer surface of the side wall of the dose cup 19 and causes stabilization of the vertical movement of the dose cup 19, thus preventing deviations from the vertical axis of the dose cup 19. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, analogous ribbing 23 may be formed on the outer surface of the side wall of the dose cup 19, fulfilling the same function.

[0061] Importantly, the dosing valve system of the present invention is constructed such that in the open position of the dosing valve system, the dose cup 19 is in the lower position, so that the lower region of its side wall provides the closure of the product flow from the propulsion space 10 of the metering chamber 1 to the communication channel 20. On the other hand, in the closed position of the dosing valve system, the dose cup 19 is raised in such a manner that the lower region of the side wall opens the passage for the product between the propulsion space 10 of the metering chamber 1 and the communication channel 20. In this embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-5, this function is realized through the bottom wall of the metering chamber 1, i.e. the lower body 35, which has an annular chamber seat 21 formed on its inner surface, which receives the lower edge of the side wall of the dose cup 19 in the open position of the dosing valve system, for obtaining a tight separation between the inner space of the dose cup 19 and the communication channel 20 (the operating principle of the dosing valve system will be described in the further part of the description). The structure providing the closure of the product flow from the propulsion space 10 to the communication channel 20 in the closed position of the dosing valve system of the invention is not limited to the solution shown based on the annular chamber seat 21, and in an alternative embodiment of the invention it is possible to provide any means providing blocking of the product flow in this region, such as without limitation, a solution based on a sealing ring 36 which is in tight contact with the lower edge of the side wall of the dose cup 19, as shown in the example illustrated in Figs. 20 and 21. Moreover, the dose cup 19 has in the upper wall at least one cup opening 22 connecting the dose space 12 with the communication channel 20.

[0062] The releasing stem 3 extends from the upper body 34 of the metering chamber 1. In this embodiment of the 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 this embodiment, the stem block 4 is a cylindrical, solid structure without hollowed channels. 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 Figs. 1 and 2), the outlet opening 26 is closed by a seal 27 comprising a rubber flat ring gasket which surrounds the releasing stem 3 and is deformed from the bottom by the releasing stem 3 (see Fig. 3). 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 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 a dosing 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 charging port 2 for keeping the outlet opening 26 closed by means of a relevant seal 27 when the dosing valve system is in the rest position. In this embodiment, the releasing stem 3 has on the charging port 2 side a charging channel 7 , which is in communication with the aerosol container 15 (or the BOV system bag) through a charging opening 8. The charging channel 7 extends from the charging opening 8 towards the stem block 4, wherein in the region where the charging channel 7 connects to the stem block 4, there is located a dose opening 11 providing communication with the metering chamber 1, more precisely with the propulsion space 10. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 - 5, the dose opening 11 is formed by a longitudinal (along the vertical axis) slot being a recess in the material of the releasing stem 3. In the region of the mentioned slot, there is also formed a discrete change of the diameter of the releasing stem 3, which forms a stop surface for the upper end of the stem spring 28, which in turn rests with its lower end against an analogously formed stop surface in the charging port 2.

[0063] On the other hand, from the upper body 34, in the direction opposite with respect to the charging port 2, there extends a tubular member 29, inside which the stem block 4 runs. The outer diameter of the stem block 4 is smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular member 29, so that between the outer surface of the stem block 4 and the inner surface of the tubular member 29 there is formed a tubular channel 30. Importantly, the tubular channel 30 is in communication with the communication channel 20 and the cup opening 22 and thus provides the flow of the product during the dispensing of a defined dose. The upper end of the tubular channel 30 is directed towards the seal 27, which in the rest state of the dosing valve system cuts off the product flow to the outlet opening 26.

[0064] Additionally, in this embodiment of the dosing valve system, the piston 5 is provided with a piston spring 31, which extends from the bottom surface of the piston 5 towards the charging port 2 and rests with its lower end against the lower body 35 of the metering chamber 1. In this embodiment of the invention, the piston spring 31 takes the form of an elastic bellows formed integrally with the piston 5, but this is not a limitation to the invention and in alternative embodiments it is possible to use any resilient means for the construction of the piston spring 31. Importantly, the degree of stiffness of the piston spring 31 is greater than the degree of stiffness of the resilient means 6, so that during the normal operation of the dosing valve system the piston spring 31 is not deformed under the influence of the force exerted by the resilient means 6 on the piston 5, also together with the pressure exerted by the pressure of the product present in the dose space 12. The structure of the system comprising the piston spring 31 is to provide the possibility to fill the aerosol container 15 with the pressurized product, which will be described in more detail in the further part of the description.

[0065] The dosing valve system operates in the following steps. Figs. 1 and 2 show the 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 dosing valve system is ready to be used, i.e. to dispense a defined dose of the product. As depicted in Figs. 1 and 2, in this embodiment the piston 5 is in its lower position, which is limited by the (undeformed) piston spring 31. The filling of the metering chamber 1, more specifically the dose space 12, proceeds as follows. The product flows from the container connected to the charging port 2 through the charging opening 8, and then through the charging channel 7, so that it flows through the dose opening 11 to the propulsion space 10 below the piston 5. At this time, the releasing stem 3 is in its upper position, whereby the dose cup 19 is also in its upper position. When the dose cup 19 is in the upper position, the side wall of the dose cup 19 is raised, whereby a flow channel is created for the product between the lower edge of the side wall of the dose cup 19 and the lower body 35 of the metering chamber 1. The product flows along this path to the communication channel 20 located between the outer surface of the side wall and the upper wall of the dose cup 19 and the inner surface of the side wall and the top wall of the metering chamber 1. As the dosing valve system is in the rest position in which the outlet opening 26 is closed by the seal 27, the product flows through the cup opening 22 to the dose space 12 above the piston 5. As the product flows to the dose space 12, the piston 5 moves from the upper position to the lower position (as shown in Figs. 1 and 2), wherein the movement of the piston 5 is aided by the resilient means 6. The dose space 12 is filled with the product to the maximum volume in which the piston 5 is in its lower position (limited by the undeformed piston spring 31). In this position, the pressure in the dose space 12 and in the propulsion space 10 is equalized and the dosing valve system is ready to be used. In order to dispense a product of a defined dose (volume), the releasing stem 3 is pressed, as shown in Fig. 3. The pressing of the releasing stem 3 causes the releasing stem 3 together with the stem block 4 to move towards the charging port 2. In this position, the dose opening 11, which is formed as a longitudinal slot, still provides communication of the charging channel 7 with the propulsion space 10 of the metering chamber 1. Importantly, as the releasing stem 3 moves downwards, the dose cup 19 is also moved, wherein the lower edge of the side wall of the dose cup 19 enters the chamber seat 21, cutting off the product flow from the propulsion space 10 to the communication channel 20. Simultaneously, 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 dosing valve system. 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 cup opening 22, further through the tubular channel 30, through the outlet opening 26 to the inner channel of the releasing stem 3 and to the outside of the system. The position of the dosing valve system after the dispensing of the dose is shown in Fig. 3, in which the piston 5 has reached its maximum upper position. Importantly, the releasing stem 3 and the accompanying structures (channels and openings) are constructed such that the closure of the product flow to the communication channel 20 occurs before the opening of the outlet opening 26 and enabling the dispensation of the product dose stored in the dose space 12 of the metering chamber 1. Such a structure of the dosing valve system is necessary for providing the dispensation of a repeatable and accurately metered dose of the product.

[0066] 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 and the simultaneous upward movement of the dose cup 19, and thus the opening of the flow channel between the lower edge of the side wall of the dose cup 19 and the lower body 35 of the metering chamber 1. The dose space 12 of the metering chamber 1 is filled again through the above-described flow of the product until reaching the position shown in Figs. 1 and 1, i.e. a state of readiness to eject another dose of the product. In fact, the releasing stem 3 and the accompanying structures are constructed such that after releasing the pressing force on the releasing stem 3, first the outlet opening 26 is closed, and only after that the opening of the flow channel 20 occurs as a result of raising the dose cup 19. Such a sequence of operation is necessary for ensuring the stopping of the dose dispensation to the outside of the dosing valve system before the filling of the dose space 12 of the metering chamber 1.

[0067] Moreover, Fig. 4 shows the operation of filling the container inside the aerosol container 15 with the product. The filling of the container (the BOV bag) is realized through the releasing stem 3, 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 tubular channel 30. Due to the fact that the releasing stem 3 is pressed, the dose cup 19 is in the lower position, and thus the product flow through the communication channel 20 is cut off by introducing the lower edge of the side wall of the dose cup 19 into the chamber seat 21. The product therefore flows through the cup opening 22 to the dose space 12. As the filling of the container is realized with relatively high charging pressures, significantly exceeding the product pressure maintained during the normal use of the aerosol container 15, the force exerted on the piston 5 towards the lower position is significantly greater than the force exerted during the filling of the dose space 12 during the operation of the system. This increased force acting on the piston 5 in this situation exceeds the resistance resulting from the stiffness of the piston spring 31, causing maximum deformation of the piston spring 31 and movement of the piston 5 to the maximum lower position, i.e. the container charging position. In this situation, the piston 5 is in a position in which the dose opening 11 is exposed, which allows the product to flow to the charging channel 7 and further through the charging opening 8 and the charging port 2 to the container mounted on the charging port 2. In this manner, the action of filling the product container inside the aerosol container 15 is realized. Example 2

[0068] The second embodiment of the dosing valve system of the present invention is shown in the axonometric cross-sectional view of Fig. 6, in the cross-sectional views of Figs. 7 - 9 and in the exploded axonometric view of Fig. 10. In this embodiment, the dosing valve system is similarly dedicated to solutions known in the art of aerosol techniques, i.e. to aerosol containers. The embodiment also takes the form of a system integrated with a container comprising a pressurized product for dispensing, such as an aerosol container 15.

[0069] The container with the dosing valve system is similar in construction to the construction of the container with the dosing valve system presented in the first embodiment, and therefore similar components will not be described again for the clarity of this disclosure.

[0070] Unlike in the first embodiment of the invention, the second embodiment of the dosing valve system has a structure of the releasing stem 3 providing the cutoff of the product flow from the container in the aerosol container 15 to the dosing chamber 1 in the rest state of the dosing valve system. This function is obtained by means of the releasing stem 3, which in the lower part, i.e. the part being in contact with the charging port 2, has a closure 9 which in this embodiment is a plastic element in the form of a cylinder with a discrete change of the diameter, which is arranged in the charging port 2 in a sliding relation providing tightness preventing the product flow from the container to the dosing valve system in the rest state. The upper part of the closure 9 has a diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the charging channel 7 in such a manner that it is stably seated therein and the closure 9 moves together with the movement of the releasing stem 3. On the other hand, the charging port 2 has in the region of the lower end at least one groove 32 on the inner surface providing a channel through which the product flows in the open state (Fig. 8) of the dosing valve system. The lower part of the closure 9 has a diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the charging port 2. Importantly, the height of the lower part of the closure 9 is smaller than the stroke of the releasing stem 3, so that after the releasing stem 3 is pressed, the lower part of the closure 9 is moved to the region of the charging port 2 in which the mentioned grooves 32 are located. This situation is best illustrated in Fig. 8, in which the releasing stem 3 is in the pressed position and the closure 9 has been moved to the region of the grooves 32, so that the grooves 32 provide a flow channel for the product flowing from the container to the charging channel 7. For providing the product flow to the charging channel 7 , the charging opening 8 takes the form of longitudinal slots formed in the lower region of the releasing stem 3, as best illustrated in Fig. 10. In the closed position of the dosing valve system shown in Fig. 7 , the releasing stem 3 is in the rest position, i.e. in the unpressed position, and the closure 9 is in the upper position in which the lower part of the closure 9 is above the region of the grooves 32, thus closing the product flow from the container to the charging channel 7.

[0071] Moreover, unlike in the first embodiment of the invention, the second embodiment of the dosing valve system has a bush 13 which extends coaxially from the lower body 35 towards the upper body 34 of the metering chamber 1. Inside the bush 13, a part of the stem block 4 is moved, wherein the sliding relation of the bush 13 and the part of the stem block 4 provides tightness preventing the product flow through this region. It should be additionally noted that the piston 5 tightly surrounds and moves on the outer surface of the bush 13, and the height of the bush 13 corresponds to the movement range of the piston 5 in the dose cup 19. In this manner, an advantage in the form of reduced resistance on the releasing stem 3 was obtained, whereby the manipulation of the releasing stem 3 by the end user is facilitated, as the piston 5 does not rest with its inner surface against the stem block 4, as was the case in the first embodiment, but against the bush 13, thus limiting the resistance on the releasing stem 3.

[0072] Importantly, for providing fluid communication of the charging channel 7 with the propulsion space 10, there is formed in the bush 13 a transfer channel 24. In the situation of the product flowing from the container and further through the charging channel 7 and the dose opening 11, the product then flows through the transfer channel 24 to the propulsion space 10 of the metering chamber 1.

[0073] In one preferred embodiment, in the lower body 35 there is formed an access channel 25 which provides additional communication for the product flowing from the charging channel 7 to the propulsion space 10. The access channel 25 is formed between the space surrounding the charging channel 7 (the space in which the stem spring 28 is seated) and the inner surface of the lower body 35. The forming of additional access channels 25 is advantageous in the case of dispensing products with higher viscosity, which allows the dynamics of operation of the dosing valve system of the present invention to be increased.

[0074] It should also be noted that in the operation of filling the container in the aerosol container 15 shown in Fig. 9, the transfer channel 24 also provides the product flow from the dose space 12 to the charging channel 7 and further to the container. For this purpose, the transfer channel 24 is arranged on the bush 13 at a height which is above the height of the piston 5 after full deformation of the piston spring 31. During the filling of the container, the relatively high pressure of the filled product causes the deformation of the piston spring 31 and the movement of the piston 5 to the terminal lower position, so that the piston 5 exposes the transfer channel 24 and allows the product to flow to the charging channel 7.

[0075] The operating principle of the dosing valve system according to the second embodiment is substantially similar to the operating principle of the dosing valve system according to the first embodiment, and therefore it will not be described again for the clarity of this disclosure.

[0076] Example 3

[0077] The third embodiment of the dosing valve system of the present invention is shown in the axonometric cross-sectional view of Fig. 11, in the cross-sectional views of Figs. 12 - 14 and in the exploded axonometric view of Fig. 15. In this embodiment, the dosing valve system is similarly dedicated to solutions known in the art of aerosol techniques, i.e. to aerosol containers. The embodiment also takes the form of a system integrated with a container comprising a pressurized product for dispensing, such as an aerosol container 15.

[0078] The container with the dosing valve system is similar in construction to the construction of the container with the 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. Similarly to the first embodiment, the dosing valve system of this embodiment has a structure based on the piston 5 moving on the metering stem 3. On the other hand, similarly to the second embodiment, the dosing valve system of this embodiment has a structure of the releasing stem 3 based on the closure 9 and the grooves 32 for closing the product flow from the container in the closed state of the dosing valve system.

[0079] Unlike in the first and in the second embodiment of the invention, the third embodiment of the dosing valve system has 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 releasing stem 3 has a filling channel 33 extending coaxially through the releasing stem 3, the stem block 4 and connecting to the flow channel 7. The filling channel 33 is closed by the above-described filling check valve 14. Owing to the use of the filling check valve 14, the piston 5 is not provided with the piston spring 31, which was a construction element necessary for providing the filling of the container in the aerosol container 15. In such a situation, during the filling of the dose space 12, the piston 5 moves to the terminal lower position, i.e. to rest against the lower body 35 of the metering chamber 1, and not to the region limited by the piston spring 31, as was the case in the first and in the second embodiment of the invention.

[0080] Additionally, for increasing the dynamics of operation of the dosing valve system, especially in the case of dispensing a product with high viscosity, in this embodiment there is used an access channel 25 which this time takes the form of a conical recess in the lower body 35 of the metering chamber 1.

[0081] The operating principle of the dosing valve system according to the third embodiment is substantially similar to the operating principle of the dosing valve system according to the first and in the second embodiment, and therefore it will not be described again for the clarity of this disclosure. It is also worth noting that in this embodiment, the system for blocking the product flow from the propulsion space 10 to the communication channel 20 is based on the annular chamber seat 21 which receives the lower edge of the side wall of the dose cup 19 in the open state of the dosing valve system, i.e. in the state of pressing the releasing stem 3 and lowering the position of the dose cup 19 inside the metering chamber 1. An alternative realization of the system for blocking the product flow from the propulsion space 10 to the communication channel 20, while preserving identical remaining components of the dosing valve system of this embodiment of the invention, is shown in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 20 and 21. The dosing valve system shown in Figs. 20 and 21 has a structure similar to the dosing valve system according to this embodiment of the invention, with the difference that the system for blocking the product flow from the propulsion space 10 to the communication channel 20 is realized by means of a sealing ring 36 which is located in the region of connection of the side wall of the metering chamber 1 with the bottom wall of the metering chamber 1, i.e. with the lower body 35. The sealing ring 36 in this embodiment takes the form of a flat gasket of a defined height. The height of the sealing ring 36 depends on the stroke of the releasing stem 3, i.e. the range of vertical movement of the dose cup 19, and is smaller than the stroke of the releasing stem 3. The lower region (i.e. the lower edge) of the side wall of the dose cup 19 is in tight and sliding contact with the inner surface of the sealing ring 36 in such a manner that in the open state of the dosing valve system, i.e. in the state in which the dose cup 19 is in the lowered position, the product flow from the propulsion space 10 to the communication channel 20 is prevented, and in the closed state of the dosing valve system (in the rest state), i.e. with the raised dose cup 19, the lower edge of the side wall of the dose cup 19 is located above the sealing ring 36, thus creating a passage for the product from the propulsion space 10 to the communication channel 20.

[0082] In another alternative embodiment of the dosing valve system of the present invention (not shown in the figures), it is possible to combine the mentioned two techniques for blocking the product flow between the propulsion space 10 and the communication channel 20, i.e. the use of both the annular chamber seat 21 and the sealing ring 36.

[0083] Example 4 The fourth embodiment of the dosing valve system of the present invention is shown in the axonometric cross-sectional view of Fig. 16, in the cross-sectional views of Figs. 17 and 18 and in the exploded axonometric view of Fig. 19.

[0084] Unlike in the first, second and third embodiments of the invention, the fourth embodiment of the dosing valve system takes the form of an adapter mounted on the aerosol container 15. The dosing valve system in the form of an adapter is a separate structural element which is intended for mounting on the aerosol container 15.

[0085] As shown in Figs. 16-18, the charging port 2 extends from the metering chamber 1, from its lower body 35, towards the aerosol container 15, which in this embodiment takes the form of the lower part of the releasing stem 3. In other words, in this embodiment of the invention, the charging port 2 is realized by the lower part of the releasing stem 3, comprising the charging opening 8 leading to the charging channel 7. The charging opening 8 is realized in the form of slots located in the lower part of the releasing stem 3, importantly these slots extend upwards, assuming in their upper region the role of dose openings 11. In this embodiment, in which the 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 tight fluid connection with the aerosol container 15 for transferring the product present in the aerosol container 15, through the 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 a 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 dosing valve system with the aerosol container 15 does not cause the aerosol valve present in the aerosol container 15 to become permanently open, and therefore the product does not flow to the dosing valve system in the rest state of the dosing valve system. Alternatively, the charging port 2 may have such a structure (especially length) which will cause the permanent opening of the aerosol valve in the aerosol container 15 after the dosing valve system is mounted on the aerosol container 15, whereby constant delivery of the product to the inner spaces of the dosing valve system will be provided.

[0086] Importantly, the dose opening 11 located in the lower part of the releasing stem 3 takes the form of a longitudinal slot and connects the charging channel 7 with the propulsion space 10 by means of the access channel 25. As mentioned above, the longitudinal slot in the upper region fulfills the role of the dose opening 11, and in the lower region the role of the charging opening 8. In this embodiment, the dosing valve system also comprises the bush 13 of a structure analogous to that of the second embodiment of the invention.

[0087] As best illustrated in Fig. 19, the lower end region of the side wall of the 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. 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 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 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. List of reference numerals:

[0088] 1 - metering chamber

[0089] 2 - charging port

[0090] 3 - releasing stem

[0091] 4 - stem block

[0092] 5 - piston

[0093] 6 - resilient means

[0094] 7 - charging channel

[0095] 8 - charging opening

[0096] 9 - closure

[0097] 10 - propulsion space

[0098] 11 - dose opening

[0099] 12 - dose space

[0100] 13 - bush

[0101] 14 - filling check valve

[0102] 15 - aerosol container

[0103] 16 - mounting assembly

[0104] 17 - mounting hook

[0105] 18 - flange of the aerosol container

[0106] 19 - dose cup

[0107] 20 - communication channel

[0108] 21 - chamber seat 22 - cup opening

[0109] 23 - ribbing

[0110] 24 - transfer channel

[0111] 25 - access channel 26 - outlet opening 1 - seal

[0112] 28 - stem spring

[0113] 29 - tubular member

[0114] 30 - tubular channel 31 - piston spring

[0115] 32 - groove

[0116] 33 - filling channel

[0117] 34 - upper body

[0118] 35 - lower body 36 - sealing ring

Claims

Claims1. A dosing valve system for dispensing a metered dose of product comprising: a metering chamber (1) defined by a side wall, a top wall and a bottom wall, a charging port (2) extending from the bottom wall of the metering chamber (1), a releasing stem (3) extending from the top wall of the metering chamber (1), a piston (5) arranged 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), characterized in that the system comprises in the metering chamber (1) a dose cup (19) connected with the releasing stem (3), having an upper wall, a side wall and an open lower end, wherein the piston (5) is arranged in the dose cup (19) so as to provide separation of the propulsion space (10) under the piston (5) from the dose space (12) above the piston (5), and is moveable within the dose cup (19), wherein between the outer surface of the side wall and the upper wall of the dose cup (19) and the inner surface of the side wall and the top wall of the metering chamber (1) there is formed a communication channel (20), wherein the dose cup (19) has a cup opening (22) in the upper wall, connecting the dose space (12) with the communication channel (20), wherein the dosing valve system has an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position the lower region of the side wall of the dose cup (19) is lowered and closes the passage between the propulsion space (10) and the communication channel (20), and in the closed position the lower region of theside wall of the dose cup (19) is raised and opens the passage between the propulsion space (10) and the communication channel (20).

2. The dosing valve system according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom wall of the metering chamber (1) has an annular chamber seat (21) which receives the lower edge of the side wall of the dose cup (19) in the open position of the dosing valve system and / or the bottom wall or the side wall of the metering chamber (1) has a sealing ring (36) which is in tight contact with the lower edge of the side wall of the dose cup (19) in the open position of the dosing valve system.

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

4. The dosing valve system according to any of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that it comprises a bush (13) extending coaxially from the bottom wall of the metering chamber (1), in which the releasing stem (3) is moveably arranged.

5. The dosing valve system according to claim 4, characterized in that the bush (13) has a transfer channel (24) and / or the bottom wall of the metering chamber (1) has an access channel (25) connecting the charging channel (7) with the propulsion space (10) of the metering chamber (1).

6. The dosing valve system according to any of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that ribbing (23) is formed on the inner surface of the side wall of the metering chamber (1) and / or on the outer surface of the side wall of the dose cup (19).

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

9. The 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 dosing valve system according to any of claims 7 - 9, characterized in that the charging port (2) is the lower part of the releasing stem (3).

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

12. The dosing valve system according to claim 11, characterized in that the piston (5) has a piston spring (31) arranged on the side of the propulsion space (10), wherein the piston spring (31) has a stiffness greater than the stiffness of the resilient means (6).

13. The dosing valve system according to claim 12, characterized in that the transfer channel (24) is arranged in the bush (13) at a height above the height of the piston (5) after full deformation of the piston spring (31).

14. The dosing valve system according to claim 11, characterized in that a filling channel (33) extends in the stem block (4), in the region of which there is arranged a filling check valve (14).

15. The dosing valve system according to any of claims 11 - 14, characterized in that the charging port (2) has in the region of the lower end at least one groove (32) on the inner surface, and the releasing stem (3) has in the lower part a closure (9), wherein in the closed state of the dosing valve system the closure (9) closes the charging port (2), and in the open state of the dosing valve system the closure (9) is moved to the region of the groove (32), so that the groove (32) provides the flow of the product to the charging channel (7).

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