Aerosol Valve

Abstract

The present invention is a valve for a container. The valve includes a grommet defining a channel with an inlet end and an outlet end. The valve has a stem, slideably arranged in the channel, and the grommet includes a first part provided at the inlet end and a second part provided at the outlet end. The first part has a hardness greater than the hardness of the second part.

1 . A valve for a container comprising: a grommet defining a channel with an inlet end and an outlet end; a stem slideably arranged in the channel; the grommet comprising a first part provided at said inlet end and a second part provided at said outlet end, characterized in that said first part has a hardness higher than the hardness of said second part. 
     
     
         2 . A valve according to  claim 1 , wherein at least said first part is hydrophobic. 
     
     
         3 . A valve according to  claim 2 , wherein said first part has a hardness of at least Shore D25. 
     
     
         4 . A valve according to  claim 3 , wherein said second part has a hardness in the range between Shore A35 and Shore A90. 
     
     
         5 . A valve according to  claim 4 , wherein at least the first part or the second part of the grommet is made of a thermoplastic material, preferably polypropylene or polyethylene. 
     
     
         6 . A valve according to  claim 5 , wherein the second part of the grommet is made of a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
         7 . A valve according to  claim 6 , characterized in that said second part of the grommet comprises at least one inwardly sealing lip for providing sealing contact with the stem. 
     
     
         8 . A valve according to  claim 7 , characterized in that said first part is provided with an outwardly extending sealing lip arranged to provide sealing with a container cup wherein the valve is provided. 
     
     
         9 . The valve according to  claim 8 , characterized in that incisions are provided in the sealing lip. 
     
     
         10 . A valve according to  claim 9 , wherein said stem further comprises at least a first and a second resilient lip section for providing sealing contact with the first part of the grommet, said first resilient lip section being larger in diameter and more resilient than said second resilient lip section. 
     
     
         11 . A valve according to  claim 10 , wherein said stem further comprises at least one circular sealing lip assuring sealing between said stem and the second part of the grommet. 
     
     
         12 . A valve according to  claim 11 , wherein the stem ( 6 ) further comprises at least one dispensing channel, said channel comprises an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being arranged such that contact with the second part of the grommet is avoided. 
     
     
         13 . Valve according to  claim 12 , wherein there is provided a housing for mounting a dip tube at the base of the grommet such that the pressurized fluid can reach the outlet passage via said tube. 
     
     
         14 . An assembly for a container according to  claim 13 , comprising: a valve according to the preceding claims, and a foam applicator comprising a body with a tilting lever for manual tilting, said body having a fixed tilting section opposite to a flexible bellow part around a dispensing channel of the stem, wherein said foam applicator is arranged to be snapped onto the container's cup. 
     
     
         15 . An assembly for a container comprising: a valve as in  claim 1 , an intermediate thermoplastic multipurpose connection ring providing a sliding lid as a safety member and/or stem protection, and a foam applicator comprising a body with a tilting lever for manual tilting, said body having a fixed tilting section opposite to a flexible bellow part around a dispensing channel of the stem, wherein said foam applicator is arranged to be screwed onto the intermediate thermoplastic multipurpose connection ring.