Female valve for a container

Abstract

Female valve for a container The present invention relates to an improved female valve for a container for 5 dispensing pressurized fluid, said valve comprising a valve cup and a hollow stem provided in a passage of the valve cup which stem has at least one lateral inlet opening at its lower end and an outlet opening at its upper end connected by an inner channel, wherein the valve cup has an upper peripheral edge and a lower end, wherein the passage of the stem is located at the lower 10 end of the valve cup.

Description

[0001] Altachem NV 24045-P-BE-WO / 10.10.2025

[0002] 1

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] Female valve for a container

[0005] The present invention relates to a female valve for a container for dispensing pressurized fluid, said valve comprising a valve cup and a hollow stem provided in a passage of the valve cup which stem has at least one lateral inlet opening at its lower end and an outlet opening at its upper end connected by an inner channel, wherein the valve cup has an upper peripheral edge and a lower end, wherein the passage of the stem is located at the lower end of the valve cup

[0006] Containers, specifically cans or canisters, can hold a compound under pressure. These containers are often disposable and can be connected to dispensing devices, such as dispensing guns, for applying the compound. The compound itself may consist of one or more active components and can serve various purposes, including acting as a sealant, a polyurethane (Pll) foam, or a one- or two-component glue.

[0007] Pressure containers with compounds like pastes, foams, or glues are increasingly used in construction and DIY projects. These disposable containers typically have two types of applicators. Occasional and DIY users prefer simple handheld applicators that screw onto the container valve stem. These applicators guide compound flow using a hose or tube and a tilting lever. Tilting the lever opens the container valve, allowing users to apply the compound while holding the container.

[0008] Professionals and experienced DIY users often opt for sophisticated dispensing devices, such as foam-dispensing guns, to apply compounds. These guns have their own valves, typically needle-valves, which provide better accuracy and control compared to container valves. The location of the valve at the tip of the gun barrel minimizes compound exposure to the Altachem NV 24045-P-BE-WO / 10.10.2025

[0009] 2 atmosphere, preventing it from becoming rigid. After exchanging a container, the refreshed compound remains under pressure and in a fluid state. Although dispensing guns are more complex and expensive, they offer greater accuracy and efficiency, especially for filling smaller crevices. The valve can be connected to the dispensing gun by a coupling piece.

[0010] The stem is slidably arranged in an opening of an aerosol container against a restoring force. By pressing the stem down against the restoring force or tilting the stem against the restoring force, a connection is established between the interior of a container and its exterior, and product can pass out of the container through the inlet opening(s), the inner channel and the outlet opening. In the closed position, the flange of the stem rests against the sealing means in the portion around the opening of the container and closes the opening.

[0011] It is known in the field of dispenser valves that water vapour entering the container can deteriorate the content of the container and can lead to undesirable chemical reactions thereof. As an example in polyurethane containers, the polyurethane reacts with the water vapour which leads to the sticking of the dispenser valve. In many cases the ingress of water vapour is the limiting factor of the shelf life of the container.

[0012] The object of the present invention is to provide an optimized female valve.

[0013] According to the invention, this task is solved in a valve according to the preamble in that the stem is a tilting stem, wherein the valve comprises a sealing means, said sealing means is provided in a passage of the valve cup, wherein the sealing means is made up of an elastic material and positively connected to the valve cup wherein the sealing means provides a passage for the stem, wherein the sealing means reaches under the rim of the valve, wherein the stem has a flange at its lower end, wherein the flange abuts the sealing means in the closed position of the stem, wherein the upper end of the Altachem NV 24045-P-BE-WO / 10.10.2025

[0014] 3 stem is located under the peripheral edge of the valve cup, wherein the valve is provided with a removable multilayer barrier at the peripheral edge of the valve cup, wherein the stem is tiltable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the stem is provided with a female thread at its upper end, wherein the inner channel has a conical shape at its lower end.

[0015] The valve can be connected to a handheld applicator by the female thread at the upper end of the stem. The handheld applicator can have a male thread which engages the female thread of the stem. Additionally, a coupling piece can be mounted on the valve. As an example, the mounting piece can be connected by a snap connection with the peripherical edge of the valve. A dispensing gun can be connected to the container via a coupling piece.

[0016] The lower end of the stem is situated inside the container when the valve is mounted onto the container. The upper end of the stem does not protrude over the upper end of the valve cup. The peripheral edge of the valve cup is higher than the upper end of the stem. As an advantage, the stem is protected against the environment. An accidental actuation of the valve is less likely.

[0017] The containers with the valves can be packed more closely also reducing the transport costs of the containers. Since there is no protruding stem, there is no need for additional safety measures e. g. caps to protect the stem.

[0018] The distance between the upper and the lower end of the valve cup can be between 12 mm and 13 mm, preferably between 12 mm and 12.1 mm.

[0019] The elastic sealing means abuts the stem while tilting to ensure a sealing of the valve in all tilting positions of the stem. There can be one or several inlet openings at the lower end of the stem. In the closed position of the stem, the hard plastic material of the stem abuts against the elastic material of the sealing means and closes the inlet opening. This results in an improved inhibition of water vapour entering the container. The stem can also be made of fibre reinforced material. Altachem NV 24045-P-BE-WO / 10.10.2025

[0020] 4

[0021] The sealing means can be made of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). As an advantage, the TPE reduces the gas loss of the valve and improves the sealing of the valve against water ingress.

[0022] The valve is provided with a removable barrier at the peripheral edge of the valve cup. The barrier can be welded on the peripherical edge of the valve cup. The barrier can be made of one or more layers of material and is preferably a multilayer barrier foil. The materials are preferably chosen to have a low water vapour transmission rate (WVTR). The stem and the sealing means are subjected to water vapour only after removal of the multilayer barrier. This drastically increases the shelf life of the content of the containers. The presence of the barrier also indicates to the user that the product has never been used before.

[0023] The sealing means and the removable barrier together reduce the water vapour transmission rate into the container significantly. After removing the barrier, the stem and the sealing means are subjected to the environmental conditions including water vapour.

[0024] In one embodiment, the stem is provided with a sealing part that abuts the sealing means.

[0025] The sealing part can be welded together with the sealing means. As an advantage, the sealing of the valve against the ingress of water is improved. The sealing means can pushed against the sealing part of the stem forcing the stem into a closed position.

[0026] In another embodiment, the stem is displaceable between a closed position and an open position, and the stem is pushed in the closed position by the sealing means pushing against the sealing part of the stem. Altachem NV 24045-P-BE-WO / 10.10.2025

[0027] 5

[0028] The stem can be pushed into an open position by a vertical force on the stem. This opening mechanism is especially used in combination with a dispensing gun or for the filling of the container. By pushing down the stem, the sealing means is deformed, and the lateral inlet openings are opened by displacing the stem from the sealing means.

[0029] Furthermore, according to the invention, the sealing means are provided with recesses.

[0030] These recesses reduce the force needed to tilt the stem. They also inhibit the loss of filling material and gas of the container and the entering of water vapour into the container while the sealing means are deformed.

[0031] The conical shape of the inner channel can be a parabolic shape. The conical shape confers a higher rigidity of the stem. The bending and mainly the tensile / compression forces which act on the stem while using the valve are better distributed and introduced into the housing of the stem. The higher rigidity of the stem due to the conical shape of the inner channel allow to reduce the amount of material to produce the stem which therefore reduces the production costs of the valve.

[0032] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the housing of the hollow stem broadens towards the lower end of the stem.

[0033] In another embodiment, the housing of the hollow stem broadens towards the lower end of the stem.

[0034] The diameter of the cylindrical housing of the stem and its thickness is increased towards the lower end of the stem. As a result, the stem is mainly more resilient to bending forces acting on the stem and the tensile / compression resistance of the stem is improved. The potential mechanical weak point of the connection between the flange and the Altachem NV 24045-P-BE-WO / 10.10.2025

[0035] 6 cylindrical housing is reinforced. The stability of the lower section of the stem with the lateral inlet openings is improved by the increased diameter of the cylindrical housing surrounding the lateral inlet openings.

[0036] Furthermore, according to the invention, the flange has a first portion with a first diameter and a second portion with a second diameter, the first portion being arranged at the lower end of the flange and the second portion being arranged at the side of the flange facing towards the outlet opening of the stem, and the diameter of the second portion is reducing from the first portion to the side of the flange-

[0037] There is thus a flange that has a first portion at its lower end, which is adjoined by a second portion with a cross-section that is smaller than that of the first portion. This means that the stem does not open abruptly, but gradually, resulting in a smoother opening of the valve. In addition, the reducing crosssection results in a saving of material, which reduces the mass of the stem to be moved. Stems are made of high-quality materials, such as fibre-reinforced plastics, due to their high mechanical load, so that even minor material savings are relevant due to the high material costs and the large quantities of stems produced.

[0038] As another advantage, the flange having a first portion with a first diameter and a second portion with a second diameter forms a ramp in the stem. The ramp facilitates the tilting opening of the stem. The lower surface of the sealing means facing the stem can be flat and smooth.

[0039] The diameter of the flange can be reduced uniformly over the entire second portion. This linear reduction in diameter results in a uniform opening action of the valve. The flange thus has a slope towards the upper side of the stem. Preferably, the angle of the slope to the axis of rotation of the stem is between 30° and 60°, more preferably between 40° and 50°. Altachem NV 24045-P-BE-WO / 10.10.2025

[0040] 7

[0041] In the following, embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to drawings.

[0042] Figure 1 shows a frontal view of a valve according to the invention.

[0043] Figure 2 shows the section A-A of the valve of figure 1 .

[0044] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of another valve according to the invention.

[0045] Figure 4 shows a cross section of the valve of figure 3.

[0046] Figures 1 and 2 depict a valve 1 for a container for dispensing pressurized fluid. The valve 1 comprises a valve cup 2 and a hollow stem 3 provided in a passage of the valve cup 2. The stem 3 has at least one lateral inlet opening 5 at its lower end and an outlet opening 6 at its upper end connected by an inner channel 4,

[0047] The valve cup 2 has an upper peripheral edge 7 and a lower end. The peripheral edge 7 can be used for attaching a coupling piece. The peripheral edge can be used to connect the valve to the container by crimping. The passage of the stem 3 is located at the lower end of the valve cup 2.

[0048] The valve 1 comprises a sealing means 8. The sealing means 8 is provided in a passage of the valve cup 2 and the sealing means 8 is made up of an elastic material, preferably TPE, and positively connected to the valve cup 2. The sealing means 8 provides a passage for the stem 3. The sealing means 8 reaches under the rim of the valve 1 .

[0049] The stem 3 has a flange 9 at its lower end and the flange 9 abuts the sealing means 8 in the closed position of the stem 3. The flange 9 has a first portion 14a with a first diameter and a second portion 14b with a second diameter. The first portion 14a is arranged at the lower end of the flange 9 and the Altachem NV 24045-P-BE-WO / 10.10.2025

[0050] 8 second portion 14b is arranged at the side of the flange 9 facing towards the outlet opening 6 of the stem 3. The diameter of the second portion 14b reduces from the first portion 14a to the side of the flange 9.

[0051] The upper end of the stem 3 is located under the peripheral edge 7 of the valve cup 2. The stem 3 is provided with a sealing part 12 that abuts the sealing means. The stem 3 is displaceable between a closed position and an open position and 3 is pushed in the closed position by means of the sealing means 8 pushing against the sealing part 9 of the stem 3.

[0052] The valve 1 is provided with a removable multilayer barrier 10 (not shown) at the peripheral edge 7 of the valve cup 2.

[0053] Figures 2 and 3 depict a valve 1 for a container for dispensing pressurized fluid. The valve 1 comprises a valve cup 2 and a hollow stem 3 provided in a passage of the valve cup 2. The stem 3 has at least one lateral inlet opening 5 at its lower end and an outlet opening 6 at its upper end connected by an inner channel 4,

[0054] The valve cup 2 has an upper peripheral edge 7 and a lower end. The peripheral edge 7 can be used for attaching a coupling piece. The peripheral edge can be used to connect the valve to the container by crimping. The passage of the stem 3 is located at the lower end of the valve cup 2. Compared to figures 1 and 2, the valve cup 2 is deformed after mounting the valve 1 on the container.

[0055] The valve 1 comprises a sealing means 8. The sealing means 8 is provided in a passage of the valve cup 2, wherein the sealing means 8 is made up of an elastic material and positively connected to the valve cup 2. The sealing means 8 provides a passage for the stem 3. The sealing means 8 reaches under the rim of the valve 1 . Altachem NV 24045-P-BE-WO / 10.10.2025

[0056] 9

[0057] The stem 3 has a flange 9 at its lower end and the flange 9 abuts the sealing means 8 in the closed position of the stem 3. The flange 9 is disc-shaped.

[0058] The upper end of the stem 3 is located under the peripheral edge 7 of the valve cup 2. The stem 3 is provided with a sealing part 12 that abuts the sealing means. The stem 3 is displaceable between a closed position and an open position, and the stem 3 is pushed in the closed position by means of the sealing means 8 pushing against the sealing part 9 of the stem 3. The valve 1 is provided with a removable multilayer barrier 10 at the peripheral edge 7 of the valve cup 2.

Claims

Altachem NV 24045-P-BE-WO / 10.10.202510CLAIMS1 . Female valve (1 ) for a container for dispensing pressurized fluid, said valve (1 ) comprising a valve cup (2) and a hollow stem (3) provided in a passage of the valve cup (2) which stem (3) has at least one lateral inlet opening (5) at its lower end and an outlet opening (6) at its upper end connected by an inner channel (4), wherein the valve cup (2) has an upper peripheral edge (7) and a lower end, wherein the passage of the stem (3) is located at the lower end of the valve cup (2), characterised in that the valve (1 ) comprises a sealing means (8), said sealing means (8) is provided in a passage of the valve cup (2), wherein the sealing means (8) is made up of an elastic material and positively connected to the valve cup (2) wherein the sealing means (8) provide a passage for the stem (3), wherein the sealing means (8) reach under the rim of the valve (1 ), wherein the stem (3) has a flange (9) at its lower end, wherein the flange (9) abuts the sealing means (8) in the closed position of the stem (3), wherein the upper end of the stem (3) is located under the peripheral edge (7) of the valve cup (2), wherein the valve (1 ) is provided with a removable barrier (10) at the peripheral edge (7) of the valve cup (2), wherein the stem (3) is tiltable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the stem (3) is provided with a female thread (11 ) at its upper end, wherein the inner channel (4) has a conical shape at its lower end.

2. Female valve (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterised in that the stem is provided with a sealing part (12) that abuts the sealing means (8).

3. Female valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the stem (3) is displaceable between a closed position and an open position, and the stem (3) is pushed in the closed position by means of the sealing means (8) pushing against the sealing part (9) of the stem (3).Altachem NV 24045-P-BE-WO / 10.10.2025114. Female valve (1 ) according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the sealing means (8) is provided with recesses (13).

5. Female valve (1 ) according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the housing of the hollow stem (3) broadens towards the lower end of the stem (3).

6. Female valve (1 ) according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the flange (9) has a first portion (14a) with a first diameter and a second portion (14b) with a second diameter, the first portion (14a) being arranged at the lower end of the flange (9) and the second portion (14b) being arranged at the side of the flange (9) facing towards the outlet opening (6) of the stem (3), and the diameter of the second portion (14b) reducing from the first portion (14a) to the side of the flange (9).

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