CA1065817A - Aerosol container with position-sensitive shut-off valve - Google Patents

Abstract

AEROSOL CONTAINER WITH POSITION-SENSITIVE SHUT-OFF VALVE

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

An aerosol container is provided, especially intended for use with compositions containing liquefied flammable propellants, and having a shut off valve closing off flow through an open manually-operated delivery valve whenever the container is tipped from the upright position beyond the horizontal towards the fully inverted position, the container comprising, in combination, a pressurizable container having at least one storage compartment for an aerosol composition and a liquefied propellant in which compartment propellant can assume an orientation according to orientation of the container between a horizontal and an upright position, and a horizontal and inverted position; a delivery valve movable manually between open and closed positions, and including a valve stem and a delivery port; an aerosol-conveying passage in flow connec-tion at one end with the storage compartment and at the other end with the delivery port, manipulation of the delivery valve opening and closing the passage to flow of aerosol composition and propellant from the storage compartment to the delivery port; and a shut-off valve responsive to orientation of the container to move automatically between positions opening and closing off flow of propellant to the delivery port, the shut-off valve moving into an open position in an orientation of the container between a horizontal and an upright position, and moving into a closed position in an orientation of the container between the horizontal and an inverted position.

Description

SPECIEIC~TION

Aerosol sprays are now widely used, particularly in the cosmetic, topical pharmaceutical and detergent fields, for delivery of all additive such as a cosmeffc, pharmaceutical, or clea~ing composition to a substra~e ~uch 5 as the skin or other surface to be treatedO Aerosol compositions are widely used a~ antiperspirants, deodorants, and hair ~prays to direct the products-to the skin or hair in the ~orm of a finely-divided spra~
Much effort has been directed to the design of valves and valve - delivery ports, nozzles or orifices or orifices which are capable of delivering 10 finely-divided sprays, of which U.S. patents Nos. 3, 083, 917 and 3, 083, 918 patented April 2, 19~3j to Abplanalp et al, and No. 3,544,258, dated December 1, 1970, to Presant et al, are exemplar~T. The latter patent describe~ a type of valve which is now r~ther common, giving a finely atomi~ed spray, and having a vapor tap, which includes a mixing chamber 15 provided with separate openings for the vapor phase alld the liquld phase to be dispensed into the chamber~ in combination with a valve actuator or ~utton OI the mechanical breakup type. Such valves provide a soft spray with a swirling motion. Another design o~ valves of this type is descrlbed in U. S. patent No. 2, 767, 023. Valve~ with vapor tap~ axe g~llerally used wh~re ...

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the spray is to be applied directly to the skin, since the spray is less cold.
- Marsh U.S. patent No. 3,148, i27 patented September 8, 1964 describes a pressurized self-dispensing package of ingredients for use as a hair spray and comprising isobutane or similar propellant in one phase and 5 an aqueous phase including the hair setting ingredient. The isobutane is in a relatively high proportion to the aqueous phase-, and is exhausted slightly before the water phase has been entirely dispensed. A vapor tap type of valve is used having a 0. 030 inch vapor tap orifice, a 0. 030 inch liquid tap orifice, alld a O. 018 inch valve stem orifice, with a mechanical breakup button. There is no disclosure of the relative proportions o~ propellant gas to liquid phase being ~;
dispensed.
Rabussier U.S. patent No. 3~26OJ421 patented July 12, 1966 describes an aerosol container for expelling an aqueous phase and a propellant phase, fitted with a vapor tap valve, and capillary dip tube. To achieve better blending 15 of the phases before expulsion, the capillary dip tube is provided with a plurality of perforations 0. 01 to ~. 2 mm in diameter over its entire length, so that the two phases are admitted together in the valve chamber from the capillary dip tube, instead of the gas being admitted only through a vapor tap orifice, and the liquid through a dip tube as is normal. The propellant is 20 blended in the liquid phase in an indeterminate volume in proportion to the aqueous phase in the capillary dip tube.
Presant et al in patent No. 3, 544, 2~8, referred to above, discloses a vapor tap valve havin~ a stem orifice 0. 018 inch in diarneter, a vapor tap 0. 023 inch in diameter with a capillary dip tube 0. 050 inch in diameter. The 25 button orifice diameter is 0. Ot6 inch. The composition di3pensed is an aluminum antiperspirant comprising aluminum chlorhydroxide, water, alcohol ~ 6~

and dim ethyl ether. The aluminum chlorhydroxide is in solution in thewater, and there is therefore only one liquid phase. The dimensions of the orifices provided for this composition are too small to avoid clogging, in dispensing an aluminum antiperspirant composition containing dispersed astringent salt 5 particles.
The vapor tap type of valve is effective inproviding fine sprays.
However, it requires a high proportion of propellant, rel~tive to the amount of active ingredients dispensed per unit time. A vapor tap requires a large amount of propellant gas, because the tap introduces more propellant gas 10 into each squirt of liquid. Such valves therefore require aerosol compositions havil~ a rather high proportion of propellant. A high propella;nt proportion is undesirable, however. The fluorocarbon propellants are thought to be deleterious, in that they are believed to accumulate in the stratosphere, where they may possibly interfere with the protective ozone layer there. The hydro-15 carbon propellants are flammable, and their proportion must be restrictedto avoid a flame hazard. Moreover, both these types of propellants, and especially the fluorocarbons, have become rather expensive.
Another problem with such valves is that since they deliver a liquid propellarlt-aerosol composition mixture, and have valve passages in which 20 a residue of liquid remains following the squirt, evaporation of the liquid in thevalve passage~ after the s~uirt may lead to depo~ition of solid materials upon evaporation of liquids, and valve clogging. This problem has given rise to a number of expedients, to prevent the deposition of solid materials in a form which can result in clogging.

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of liquefied prol?ellant, say 50% by weight or more, to obtain fine droplets of liquid sprays or fine powder sprays~ and a rather srnall Bolids content, certainly less than lO~o, and normally less tha~ 5~o. The fine sprays result from the violent boiling of the liquefied propellant after it has left the 5 container. A case in point is exemplified by the dispersion-type aerosol antiperspirants, which contain 5% or less of astringent powder dispersed in liquefied propellant. It has not been possible to use substantially higher concentrations of astringents without enco~mtering severe clogging problems.
There is considerable current in~erest in the substitution of com-pressed gases for fluorocarbons and hydroc~rbons as propellants to obtain ;~
fine aerosol sprays. The reasons include the low cost of compressed gases, the flammabillty of liquefied hydrocarbon propellants, and the theorized hazard to the ozone iayer of liquefied fluorocarbon propellants Reasonabl~r fine sprays oE alcoholic solutions have been obtained using carbon dioxide at 90 psig 15 an~ valving systems with very fine orifices. These orifices are so small that dispersed solids cannot be tolerated, and even inadvertent contamination with dust will cause clogging. Thus, a typical system will ernploy a 0. 014 inch capillary dip tube, a 0. 010 inch valve stem orifice, and a 0. 008 inch orifice in a mechanical break-up actuator button. However, only limited variations 20 in delivery rates are possible, since the use of significantly larger orifices will coarsen the spray droplets. Moreover, these fine spr~ys oE alcoholic solutions are flammable.
Thus far, the art has not succeeded in obtaining fine aerosol sprays using ~ueous solutions with compressed gas~s. The reasons for this are 25 that water has a higher surface tension than alcohol (ethanol or isopropanol) ~nd is also a poorer solvent for the compressedgases,particularly carbon 5~
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`ioxide, which is preferred. All of these factors adversely affect the break-up of droplets to form a fine spray.
Special designs of the delivery port and valve passages have been proposed, to prevent the deposit of solid materials in a manner such that clogging can result. U.S. patent No. 3, 544,258 provides a structure which is especially designed to avoid this difficulty, for example. Such designs result however in a container and valve system which is rather expensive to produce, complicated to assemble because of the numerous parts, alld more prone to failure because of its complexity.
In accordance with Canadian patent NOr 1, 030, 497, aerosol containers are provided that are capable of delivering a foamed aerosol composition. The aerosol composition is foamed inside the aerosol container7 and delivered through the valve of the aerosol container as a foam or collapsed foam. Fine ~5 droplets are formed from the foamed aerosol compositions, due at least in part to collapse of thin foam cell walls into fine droplets. The propellant serves to foam the liquid within the container, forming a foamed aerosol composition, and propels from the container through the valve and delivery port both any foam and any droplets that form when the foam collapses.
With conventional aerosol containers, a substantial proportion of the propellant is in liquid form as the aerosol composition passes through th~ valve and delivery port. Propellant evaporates as the spray travels through the air, and it continues to evaporate after the spray has landed on a surface.
The heat of vaporization is taken from the sluface, and the spray consequently feels cold. This is wasteful of propellant, as is readily evidenced by the ' :' ' .

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coldness of sprays :from conveIItional aerosol containers. ~ contrast, in the invention Oe No. 3, 970, 2I9, the propellant is in gaseous form when expelled with the liquid. The propellant is not wasted, thereore, and since there is substantially no liquid propellant to tal~e up heat upon vaporizcltion, the 5 spray is not cold.
The aerosol containers in accordance with the invention of No. 3, 970, 219 accordingly foam an aerosol composition therein prior to expulsion from the container, and then expel the resulting foamed aerosol composition. These aerosol containers comprise, in combination, a 10 pressurizable container having a valve movable be~ween open and closed.
positions, with a va~ve stem, and a foam-conveying passage therethrough, in flow connection with a delivery port; bias means for holding the valve in a closed position; and means for manipulating the valve against the bias means to an open position, for expulsion of aerosol composition foamed within th0 15 container via the valve passage and delivery port; means defining at least two separate compartments in l:he container, of which a first compartment is in direct flow connection with the valve passage, and asecond compartment is in flow connection with the valve passage only via the first compartment;
a~d porous bubbler means having through pores interposecl between the first 20 and second compartments with the through pores comm~mlcating the compart-ments, the pores being of sufficlently small dimensions to restrlct flow of propellant gas from t~le second compartment therethrough and form bubbles of such gas in li~uid aerosoI composition across the line of flow from the buhbler to the valve, thereby to foam the aerosol composition upon opening a5 of the valve to atmospheric pressure, and to expel foamed aerosol composition through the open valve.

Canadianpatent No. 1,034,925, pa~ented ~uly 18, 1978, provides another form of foam-type aerosol container, in which the aerosol composition therein is foamed prior to expulsion from the container, a~d then the resulting 5 foamed aerosol conlposition is expelled. These aerosol containers comprise, in combination, a pressurizable container having a valve movable ~etwee~ open and closed positions, with a valve stem, a~d a ~oam-conveying passage there-through, in flow connection with a deliYery port; blas means for holding the . .:
valve in a closed position; and means for manipulating the valve against the : .
~o bias mea~s to an open position for expulsion via the valve passage and deliveryport of aerosol composition foamed within the container; means defining at least two separate compartments in the container, of which a first compartment .
has a volume of at least 0. 5 cc and is in direct flow connection with the valve passage, and a second con~partment is in flow cQnnection with the valve p~ age 15 only via the first compartment; at least one first liquid tap orifice having a diameter within the range from about 0. 012 to about 0. 2 cm and communîcating the first and another compartment for flow of liquid aerosol composîtion into the first compartment, and of sufficiently small dimensions to re~ict flow .`
of liquid aerosol composition therethrough; the ratio of first compartment 20 volume/first orifice diameter being from about 10 and preferably from about 20 to about ~ and preIerabl~ about ~ where ~ ls 1 when the x x x the orifice length is less than 1 cm, ~md 2 when the orifice length is 1 cm or more; at least one second gas tap orifice having a totai cross-sectional open area within the r ange from about q x ~0-6to about 20 x 10 '4il12 `

(4 x 10 Sto 1. 3 x lO 2cm2 ), a single orifice having a diameter within the range from about 0. 003 to about 0. 05 inch (0. 007 to 0. 13 cm) and communicating the first and second compartments ~or flow of propellant gas intothe first compartmen~ fronn the second compartment therethrough, and of su:lYiciently small dimensions to restrict ilow of propellant gas and formb~bbles of such gas in liquid aerosol composition across the line of Elow thereof to the valve, thereby to foam the aerosol composition upon opening of the val~e to atmospheric pressure, and to expel the fo~ed aerosol composition through the open valve.
The advantages of foaming the aerosol composition within the container are twofold. Because the prQpellant is in gaseous form (having been converted to gas in the foaming) there is no liquid propellaxlt to e~pel, so all propellant is usefully converted into gas, for propulsion and foaming, before being expelled. Because the foamed liquid aerosol composition has a higher volume than the liquid composition, and the expulsion rate is in terms of volume per unit time, less liquid is expelled per unit time. Thus, in effect, the liquid is expelled at a lower delivery rate, which conserves propellant per unit squirt, and means a higher active concentration must~be used, to obtain ~ equivalent delivery rate of active ingredient. Also, since there is less liquid, there is a negligible clogging problem, even at a two or three times higher active concentration.
The disadvantage of foaming howerer is the need to provide space for the foaming to take place, which requires either a larger container or a smaller unit volume of composition per container.
Canadia~ patent application Serial No. 281, 798 filed June 20, 1977, ~hows that a low delivery ra~e can be achiered without the necessity of as providing a foam chamber or space within the aerosol container, if the ~ .
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volume proportion of gas to liquid in the blend dispensed from the container is within the range from about 10~1 to about 40~l, and prefexably within the range from about 15 1 ~o about 30:1. This i9 a sufficient proportion of gas ~o liquid to forma ~oa~, such as is formed and dispensed from the foam type aerosol containers of Canadian patent No. 1, 030,497, patented ~ay 2, 1978, `and a veIy much higher proportion o~ gas to liquid than has preYiou31y been blended with the liquid for expulsion purposes in conventional aerosol con-tainer~, such as the vapor tap containers of the Presant patent No. 3, 544, 258, . .
referred to above. At such high proportions of gas to liquid, the formation 10 of foam is pos~ible, and even probable, despite the small volume of the blending space provided, but foam formation, if it occurs, i8 SO fleeting, having a life of at most a fraction of a second, that a foam cannot be detectèd by ordinary means, due to the small dimensions of the open spaces tn which it may exi~t, i. e., the blellding space and valve passages, and the shortness 15 of the delivery time from blending of gas and liquid to expulsion. However, the proportion of gas to liquid in the blend that is e~pelled can be determined,and when the proportion i9 in excess o~ 10:1, the delive~y rate of li~ui~
from the aerosol container is very low, and thus, the objective of the invention is achieved. Whether or not a foam is formed is therefore of no 20 significance, except as a possible theoretical e~planation of the phènomenon.
~ ccordingl~, Canadian application Serial No. 281, 798 provides a pro-cess for dispensing a spray containing a low proportion of liquid, with a high proportion of pr~pellant in gaseous form, by blending gas and liquid within the -~aLerosol container prior to expulsion at a ratio of gas:liquid within the range~5 from about 10:1 to about 40: l, and preferably from about 15:1 to about 30:1 , .

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with the result that a blend containing this low proportion of liquid and high proportion of ga~ is expelled from the container, and the proportion of liquid composition expelled per unit time correspondingly reduced.
The aerosol container in accorda~e with Serial No. 281, 798 5 comprises, in combina~ion, a pressurizable container having a valve movable between open and closed positions, a valve stem, aIld a deliver~ port; a valve stem orifice in the valve stem in flow connection at one end with a blending - space and at the other end with an aerosol-conveying valve stem passage leading to the delivery port; the valve stem orifice having a diameter within.
the range from about 0. 50 to about 0. 65 mm; bias means for holding the valve in a closed position; mea~s for manipulating the valve against the bias means to a~ open positiGn for expulsion of aerosol compo~ition via the valve stem orifice to the delivery port; wall means de:Eining the blending space a~d separating the blending space from liquid aerosol composition and propellant within the container; at least one liquid tap orifice through the wall ~ ans, having a cross-sectional open area within the range from about 0. 4 and o. 6 mm for flow of liquid aerosol compo~ition into the blending space; at least one vapor tap orifice through the wall means, having a cross~sectional open area within the rallge from about 0- 4 to about 0- 8 mm -for flow o propellaIlt intothe blending space; the ratio of liquid tap ori~ice to vapor tap ori:Eice cross- :
sectional open area being within the ra~ge from about 0~ 5 to about 0. 9; the open areas of the liquid tap orifice and vapor tap orifice being selected withinthe stated ranges to provide a volume ratio of propellant gas:liquid aerosol composition wlthin the range from about 10:1 to about 40:1, thereby limiting the delivery rate of liquid aerosol composition ~rom the container when the ~ -valve is opened.

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The dimensi~ns of such aerosol containers are particularly sQited to the dispensing of antiperspirant compositions in which the astringent salt is in dispersed form, where orific0s of smaller dimensions are readily susceptible to clogging. Smaller dimensions can be used with comp~itions in which the active components are in soluti~n, such a~ deodorant~ alld hair sprays. Volume ratio requirements will vary somewhat~ dependingonths aerosol composition. In genera~, the volume ratio of propellant gas~ uid .
aerosol compositi~n within the range from ab~ut 8:1 to a~out 40:1 is applicable to any aerssol composition containing a flammable propell~t. The flammability of the spray is greatly reduced when the container is actuated in its noImal, vertieal position. At a higher than about 40:1 ratio, the propelL~nt is exhausted too rapidb, and an egcessive amount of non-propellant `
compositions remain~ in the container.
The aerosol containers in accordance with Serial No. 281, q98 have provision for expelling thege high ratios of gas: liquid when the container i9 .
actuated in a normal or partially tilted position. However~ if the conhiner is inclined or tipped enough, or inverted, so that the gas phase can pa9s through the liquid tap orifice7 and the liquid phase can pass through the vapor hp orifice, the gas: liquid ratio expelled is less than about 8:1, and flammabilit~is acc~rdingly increased.
At some angle of tilt as the container is tipped from an upri~ht towards a horizontal position, liquid phase can reach and p~s through the gas tap orifice, and perhaps even both liquid tap and vapor tap orifices. This can re~ult itl an extremely flammable spray. Whether the latter condition actually occurs depends on the configuration of the container, the bend of the dip tube, and the liquid fill of the container.

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Aerosol co~tainers ar~ commonly filled s~ that the liquid phase occupies 60~ of the total capaci~7 at 21C. With this fill in a container with minimum doming, a straight dip tube, and a vapor tap ~rifice about O. 6 mnn in diameter, off-center and posîtioned downward when the container is horizontal, both gas and liquid tap orifices will be covered by liquid - when the container is positioned so that the Yalve i~ in the range of about -5 (below horizontal) to ~5 (ab~e horizontal). E the dip tube blends downward when the container is horizontal, the range in valve position in which both taps are c~vered by liquid may extend to about -30 (below the horizontal) to about ~5 (above the horizontal). The extent or span of this range will depend on the dimensions of the container. The larger the ratio of diameter: height, the wider the span of the range.
The problem also ari~es~n the foam-type aerosol containers Oe Canadian patent No. 1, 034, 9a5. At any angle where the valve i9 below the horizontal, the foam chamber can fill with the liquid phase, and the gas phase under high pressure will project this liquid from the container, when the delivery valve is opened.
With the aero~ol containers of Canadian patent No. 1, 030, 497, tbe problem of a flammable spray due to the presence of a flammable liquefied propellant does not ~xist. Since the propellant is expelled only in gasaous form, very little liquid propellant need be pr~sent, and it will not co~er the bubbler in any positlon. A flammability problem will arise only in the event that the liquid in the foam cha~nber is flammable. Then, if the foam chamber is more than 50~/c full, at any angle between the horizontal to an inverted orientation, the liquid will be expelled without benefit of foaming, and the ~ -spray will be fL~mmable This problem is not normaliy encountered if the aerosol comp~sition ', :

C ' ' ,'. "' c~ ntains a preponderance oE the non~lammable fluorocarbon propellants, unless the composition contain~ a high pr~portion of alcohol, such as hair sprays, when actuated in the normal upright position. If, however, nonflammable fluorocarbons cannot be used, and it is necessary to employ flammable 5 hydrocarbon propellants, at leas~ inaproportion where the liquid phase is flammable, then aexosol containers equipped with conventional vapor tap valves will pose a considerable ~ire hazard even when used in the normal, upright position. This hazard is posed by the containers of Canadian patents Nos. ~ -1, 030, 497, 1, 034~ 925 and 1, 048, 453 only when the delivery 10 valves of such container~ are actuated with the container in an abnormal position ranging between below the horizontal to fully inverted.
In accordance with the present invention, this difficulty is overcome b~r including in combination with the delivery valve an overriding shut-off valvewhich, although normally openwhenthe container is upri~ht, auto~
15 matically closes off flow of liquid through the delivery valve from the container to the delivery port at some limiting angle at or below the horizontal as the top of the container is brought below the horizontal, towards the fully inverted position. The shut-off valve will normally have closed fully before the container is fully inverted. The angle to the horizontal at which the valve must close is 20 of course the angle at which liquid can flow to the delivery port and es~ape as liquid from the container, without benefit of a high gas ratio. This can be within the range from 0 (i. e. horizontal) to -90, and pr~;ferably ls from -5 to -45, belo~v the hori~ontal.
~ this type of container, it is generally not possible to dispense the 25 liquid contents of the container by opening the delivery valve unless the ,.

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container is so oriented that a sufficient ratio of gas is e~pelled with the liquid phase The container must be held in a fully upright position, or at least in a position. with the valve above the horizontal.
Otherwise, the liquid phase cannot flow through the open delivery 5 valve, because the shut-off valve is closed.
The aerosol container in accordance with the invention for use with compositions containing liquefied flammable pr~pellants ha~ a shut-o~f valve closing off flow through an open manually-operated delivery valve whenever the container is tipped from the upright position 10 beyond the horizontal towar~s the fully inverted position, and comprises, in combination, a 1pressuri2able container having at least one storage compartment for an aerosol composition and a liquefied propellant in which compartment propellant can assume an orientation according to orientation of the container between a horizontal and an upright position, 15 and a horizontal and inverted position; a delivery valve movable manually between open and closed positions9 and including a valve stem and a delivery port; an aerosol-conveying passage in flow connection at one end with the storage compartment and at the other end with the delivery port, manipulation of the delivery valve opening and closing the pas-20 sage to flow of aerosol composition and propellan~ from the storage :~
compartment to the delivery port; all Elow between the storage com- ;
partment and the delivery port proceeding via the aerosol-conveying passage; and a shut-off valve responsive to orie~tation of the con-tainer to move under the force of gravit~ between positions opening ;
25 and closing off flow at least of liquefied propellant to the delivery 14 :~

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port, the shut-off valve being positioned across the aerosol~
conveying passage in the line of flow from the storage compart-ment to the delivery port, and moving into an open position in an orientation of the container ljetween the horizontal and an 5 upright position, and moving into a closed position in an orientation of the container between the horizontal and an in-verted position ~
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A preferred embodiment of delivery valve is of the vaportap type, adapted for delivery of liquid aerosol compositions highly 10 concentrated with respect to the active ingredient at a low delivery rate, comprising, in combination, a pressurizable container having a delivery valve movable between open and closed positions, a valve stem, and a delivery port; an aerosol-conveying passage in the valve stem leading to the delivery port; wall means deEining a 15 blending space and a storage space and separating the blending space ~from liquid aerosol composition and propellant within the container;
a valve stem orifice in the valve stem in flow connection at one end with the blending space and at the other end Y;1ith an aerosol-conveying valve stem passage leading to the delivery port; the valve stem 20 orifice having a diameter within the range from albout 0. 33 to about O. 65 mm; b~as means for holding the valve in a closetl position;
means for manipulating the valve ~gainst the bias means to an open position for expulsion of aerosol composition via the valve stem orifice to the delivery port; at least one liquid ta.p orifice throug~h 25 the wall means, having a cross-sectional open area within the range ' .

frvm about o ~ to ab~ut o. 8 mm2 :fo.r flo~;v oE liquid aerosol c~rrl-position from the storage space into the blendin~ space; at least one vapor tap orifice through the wall means, having a cross-sectional open area within l:he range from about 0. 2 to about 5 0. 8 mm2 for flow of propellant from the storage space into the blending space; the ratio of liquid tap orifice to vapor tap orifice cross-sectional open area being within the range from about O. 5 to aboui: 2. 5; the open areas of the liquid tap orifice and vapor tap ori~ice being selected within the stated ranges to pro~
10 vide a volume ratio of propellant gas: liquid aerosol composition within the ra~e from about 8: 1 to about 40: 1,, thereby limiting the delivery rate of liquid aerosol composition from the container when the delivery valve is opened; all ~Iow from the storage space to the delivery port proceeding via the liquid tap orifice or ga~
15 tap orifice, blending space and aerosol-conveying valve stem passage to the delivery port; and a shut-off valve positi~ned across ,:
tbe line of flow between the storage space and the delivery port and responsive to orientation of the container to move under the force of gravity between positions opening and closing off flow at least 20 of liquefied propellant to the delivery port, the shut-off valve moving into an open position in an orientation of the container between the horizontal and an upright position, and moving into a closed position :
in an orientation o:E the container between the horizontal and an inverted position. ~:
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In a preferred embo~iment o~ this t~pe of valve3 where particulate solids are present, the valve stem oriflce has a diameter within the range from about 0. 50 to about 0. 65 mm, al; least one liq-lid tap orifice having a cross-sectiorlal open area within the range from about 0. 4 to about 0. 8 mm, and at least one vapor tap orifice having a cross-sectional open area within the range from abolt 0. 3 to about 0. 8 mm, the ratio of liquid tap orifice to vapor tap orifice cross-sectional open area being within the range from about 0. 5 to about 2. 3; the opsn areas of the liquid tap orifice and vapor tap orifice being selected within the stated ranges to provide a volume ratio of propellant gas: liquid aerosol compo~ition within the range from a~out 8:1 to about 40:1, limlting the delivery rate of liquid aerosol composition from the container when the valve is open In the special case where the liquid tap orifice is a capillary dip tub~, and particulate solids are no~ present, tlle cross-sectional open area thereof is within the range from about 0. 2 to about 1 8 mm2, for flow of liquid aerosol composition into the blending sp.~ce, and at least one vapor tap orifice through the wall means has a cross-sectional open area within the range from about 0. 2 to about 0. 8 mm2 for flow of propellant gas into ., .
the blending space; and the ratio of capilla~y dip tube to vapor tap orifice cross-sectional open area is within the range from about 1. 0 to about 3. 2.
In the 9pecial case where the llquid tap ori~ice i~ a capillarv dip tube, where the ~olids are present, the cross~ectional open area thereQf is within the range from about 0. 6 to about 1. 8 mm2, for flow of liquid aer~sol composition into the blending space, and at least one vapor tap orifice through the wall means has a cr~ss-sectional opan area within the range frorn about 0. 3 to about 0. 8 mma for flow of prop~llant gas into the blending space;

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and the ratio of capillary dip tube to vapnr tap orifice cross-sectiollal open area is within the range from about 1. 0 to about 3~ 2.
The controlling orifices to achieve the desired proportion of gas and liquid in the blend dispensed from the container are the vapor tap orifice, the liquid tap orifice (or in the case of a ~apillary dip tube, the capillary dip tube), and the valve stem orifice. The open areas of these orifices and the ratio of liquid tap ~rifice to vapor tap orifice open area should be controlled within the stated ranges. However, these dimensions are in no way critical to the operation of the shut-off valve, which can be used advantageously with delivery valves having other dimensions.
The valve delivery system n~rmally includes, in addition to the valve stem orifice, an actuator orifice at the end of the passage through the actuator of the valve. The valve delivery s~stem rom the blending chamber through the valve stem and actuator to the delivery port thus includes~ in flow sequence towards the delivery end, the valve stem orifice, the valve stem passage~ and the actuator orifice. The controlling orifice in this sequellce` isthe valve stem orifice, and the actuator orifice will normally have a diameter the same as or greater than the valve stem orifice, but not necessarily.
In the unlikely event that the actuator orifice ha~ an open area that is less than the valve ~tem orifice, then the actuator ori~ice becomes the controlling orifice, downstream oE the bl~nding chamber, and its diameter may in that event be within the range from about 0. 33 to about 0. 65 mm when solidsare not present, and from about 0. 45 to about 0. 65 mm when ~olids are present.The delivery valve is disposed in a valve housing, which may also include or is in flow connection with the wall means defining the blending space. ~ ~
The blending space is of limited volume, insufficient to constitute a foam ~ -, ';' chamber, and only as large as required for thorough blending of gas and liquid therein be~ore reaching tlle valve. A valve member may be movably disposed in the blending space, for movement bel:ween open and closed p~sitions, away from and toward~ a valve seat at the inner end of the valve -stem passage, with which the blending space is in flow connection when the valve is open.
The blending space can be small in volume, and no larger than the volume needed for full movement of a valve member therein. It can also be a narrow passage, large enough at one end ~s)r the valve member, and merging indistinguishably with the dip tube or tail piece p~ssage. Any conventional mixing chamber in a vap~r tap valve assembly will serve.
The volume of the blending ~p~ce does not usually exceed lcc, and can be as small as D. 1cc, but it is preferably from 0. 5 to lcc.
The liquid tap vrifice com~unicates the blending space directly or indirectly with a capillary dip tubs or a standard dip tube. 1~ standard or capillary dip tube normally extends into the liquid comp~sition or phase in the aerosol container, and may reach to the b~ttom of the container. A
tail piece may be provided (but is not essential) at the valve housing as a co.lpling for linking the dip tube to the blending space within the valve housing.
The tail piece when pre9ent has a through passage in Eluid flv~ connection with the liquid compo~ition o~ p~ase in the container~ v~a the dip tube, and this passage leads directly into the blending space. The liqLuid tap orifice in this embodiment is an orifice or constriction in the passage, at the blending space end, at the dip tube end, or intermediate the ends. The orifice can also ;be in direct communication with the dip tube, in the event the tail piece is omitted. When the dip tube communicates directly with the blending space, the liquid tap orifice can be at the blending space end opening o~ the dip tube.
' 1~

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. .
.. .. . .
.. . .. .

In the special case when a capillary dip tube is used, no liquid tap orifice as such is required. The capillary dip tube serves as the liquid tap oriEice. However, the size parameters for the capillary dip tube and vapor tap orifice in that event are different, because of the unique fIow restriction of the capillary dip tube, as noted previously.
The vapor tap orifice is in fl~lid flow connecti~n with the propellant or gas phase of the aerosol container, and admits gas into $he blending space before the val~re stem delivery passage. Normally, therefore, it is in the wall means defining the blending space, and above the liquid tap orifice, although this is not essential. The vapor tap oriPice can be in a wall beside or above the valve member, but it is ~ course upstream of the valve seat.
The valve delivery system of an aerosol container downstream of the valve normally includes an actuator which operates a delivery valve .
movable between open and closed positions, with a valve stem and an aerosol composition-con~reying valve passage therethrough, in flow connection with a delivery port. The narrowest orifice in this delivery system is within the range from a~out 0. 5 to about 0. 65 mm.
Mixing of the gas and liquid phase occurs in the blending space, before these pass to the valve, and the diameters of the vapor tap ancl liquid tap ao orifices as well as the valve passage Witll which they are in communication are selected wlthin the stated ranges to provide, when particulate solids are not present, a gas: liquid volume ratio within the range from abQut 8:1 to about 40:1, and preferably from about 15:1 to about 30:1, and, when particulate solids are present, a gas: liquid volume ratio with the range from about 10:1 to about 40:1, and preferably from about 1501 to about 30:1. It will be appreciated that for a given size of these openings, the gas: liquid ratio 19 .

' 6s~t~

obtained from gas and liquid fed therethrough from the supply in the container will vary with the particular propsllant or propollants and the composition of the liquid phase. The viscosity o~ the liquid is a factor in determining the proportion that can flow through the liquid tap orifice per unit time, when the valve is opsned.
The orifice ranges given are applicable to all dispersion-type anti-psrspirant aerosol compositions. Other orifice ranges may be used with other typos of aerosol comp~sitions.
The inventioll is also applicable to aerosol containers which ha~Te at least two comp~rtments, a first foam compartment and a second propellant gas compartment, communicated by at least one gas tap orifice, which is across the line o flow through the foam compartment to the valve delivery port from the propellant compartment. A liquid aerosol comp~sition to bs foamed and then expslled from the container is placed in anothe~ compartment of the container, in flow communication via a liquid tap orifice with the first foam comp~rtment, so as to admit liquid aerosol composition into the first foam compartment across the line ~ propellant gas flow via the gas orifice or orifices to the valve. The liquid aerosol composition to be dispensed can be in the second compartment9 dissolved or emulsified with liquid propallant or as a separate layer from the propellant layer~ or in a thlrd compartment, ~nd the propsllant is placefl in the second or prop~llant compartme~t on the other ~ide oE the ga~ tap orifice or orifices. When the valve is opened~ the propellant passes in gaseous form thro.lgh the gas tap orifice(s) and foams the liquid aero~ol composition in the foam comp:3rtment, at the same time prop911ing the foamed aerosol composition to and through the open valve passage out from the container.

J~ 20 ~6~ 7 An er~bodilnent of this type ~f ae osol container for ~lse with compositions containing lique:Eied flammable propellants~ and having a shut-off valve closing off flow through an open manually-operated delivery valve whenever the container is tipped from the upright 5 position be~Tond the horizontal towards a fully inver~ed position, comprises, in combination, apressurizable container having at least one foam compartment and a~ least one storage compa~tment for an aerosol composition and a liquefied propellant in which storage compartment propellant can assume an orient~tion according to ~;
10 orientation of the container between a horizontal and an upright position~ and a horizontal and inverted position; a delivery valve mo~rablemanually between open and closed positions, and including a valve stem and a delivery port" an aerosol-conveying passage in the valve stem in flow connection at one end with the foam and 15 storage compartments and at the other end with the delivery port, manipulation of the delivery valve opening and closing the passage to flow of aerosol composition and propellant from the storage compartment via the foam compartment to the delivery port9 wall means defining the foam compartment in the container, the foam 20 compartment being in direct flow connection with the aerosol-conveying pa~sage and with the storage compart~ent; all ~low between the storage compartment and the delivery port proceeding via the foam compartment and aerosol-conveying passage in the valve stem; and porous bubbler means having through pores ;~ ~Oa :, .

E

... . , ~ . ... . . . . .

6~
interposed betwe~n the foam and sto~age compal~ments with the through ?pores communicating the compartments, the pores being of sufficiently small dimensions to restrict flow of propellant gas from the storage compartment therethrough and form bubbles of such 5 gas in liquid aerosol composition in the foam compartment across the line of flow from the bubbler to the delivery valve, thereby to foam the aerosol composition upon opening of the delivery valve to atmospheric pressure, and to expel foamed aerosol composition through the open valve; and a shut-off valve positioned across the 10 line of flow frorn the sto~age compartment to the delivery port and responsive to orientation of the container to move under the force ~;
of gravity between positions opening and closing off 10w at least o liquefied propellant to the delivery port, the shut-o~ valve moving into an open position in an orientation oE the container between a 15 horizontal and an upright position~ and moving into a closed position in an orientation of the container between the horizontal and an inverted position.
A further embodiment of this type o aerosol container for use with compositions containing liquefied flammc~le prop~llants, 20 and having a shut-of valve closing ofE 10w through all open manually~
operated delive~y valve whenever the container is tipped from the upright position beyond the horizontal towards the fully inverted position, comprises, in combination, a pressurizable container having at least one foam compartment and at least one storage com-25 partment for an aerosol composition and a liquefied propellant, in 20b ' ~E , , .

: ; :

~ 6~which storage compa~ment propellant can assume an orientation according to orientation of the container between a horizontal and an upright position, and a horizontal and inverted position; a de~ivery valve movable manually between open and closed positions, ~ :
5 and including a valve stem and a delivery port; an aerosol-conveying passage in the valve stem in flow connection a~ one end with the foam :
and storage compartments and at the other end with the delivery port manipulation of the delivery valve opening and closing the passage to flow of aerosol composition and propellant from the storage compart- ::
10 ment vla the foam compartment to the delivery port; wall means defining the foam compartment, the foam compartment having a volume of at least 0. 5 cc and being in direct flow connection with the aerosol-conveying passage and with the storage compartment; all flow between the storage compartment and the delivery port proceeding 15 via the Eoam compartment anà aerosol-conveyin~ passage in the valve stem; at least one first liquid tap orifice having a diameter within the range from about 0. 012 to about 0. 2 cm and communicating the foam and storage compartment for flow of liquid aerosol composition . : .
into the foam compartment from the storage compartment, and of .. ~ .
20 suPficiently small dimensions to restrict flow of li~uid aerosol compo~ition therethrougll; the ratio of foam compartment volume/
first orifice diameter being from about 1~0 to about 400 , where x is 1 when the orifice length is less than lcm, and 2 when the 20c -,, .
"'.

orifice length is 1 cm or more; at least one second gas tap orifice havin~ a total cross-sectional open area within the range from about 7 x 10 6 to about 20 ~10 in2 and communicating the foam and stora~e compartments for flow of propellant into the foam com-5 partment from the storage compartment therethrough, and ofsufficiently small dimensions to restrict flow of propellant gas and form bubble~ of such ga~ in liquid aerosol composition across the line of flow thereof to the valve~ thereby to foam the aerosol corn- ~;
position upon opening of the valve to atmospheric pressure, and to 10 expel foamed aerosol composition through the open delivery valve;
and a shut-off valve positioned across the line of flow from the storage compartment to the delivery port and responsive to orien-tation of the contaaner to move under the force of gravity between positions opening and closing off. flow at least of liquefied propellant 15 to the delivery port, the shut-ofE valve moving into an open position in an orientation of the container between a horizontal and an upright position, and moving into a clo~ed position in an orientation of the container between the horizontal and an inverted position.

20d hl~

The first or foam compartment between the gas tap and liquid ~ ~
. .
tap orifices and the valve provides the space needed for foam formation, and has a volume of at least 0 5 cc and preferably from 1 to 4 cc, but : : :
larger compartments can be used. A practical upper limit based on the available aerosol container sizes is ab~ut 20 cc, but this can of course be exceeded since it is limited only by the size of the aerosol container. In general~ the required volume ~f the first or foam compartment depends upon the rate at which product is delivered. Low delivery rates (less than about 0. 2 g per second) require a capacity of about 0. 5 to 1 cc. Medium delivery rates (about 0. 2 to 0. 5 g per second) require a capacity of abollt 1 to 2 cc. High delivery rates (about 0. 5 to 2 g per second) require a capacity of about 2 to 4 cc. The first compartment may have a higher capacity, but it should preferably n~t have a smaller capaclty; otherwise the space available mav not be sufficient for foaming. These required ; 15 volumes are illustrative and not limiting.
The length of the foam compartment, i. e. the distance from the nearest gas tap orifice~s) to the inlet end of the valve passage, is determined by the foam characteristics of the composition and whether it is desired to dispense a foam or a liquid or a mi~ture of the two. Consequently, tlle length of the ~oam compartment is not critical~ but can be adjusted according to these requirements.
The overall dimensions of the gas tap and the liquid tap orifice(s) are selected according to the required product delivery rate (including propellant expelled) and whether a liqueFied propellant or a compressed gas propellant is used. Where a compressed gas propellant is the only ~ -.' ..

.' , ~ ' .

propellant present in the container, the quantity o~ propellant is quite limited and must be conserved by using only smail gas tap ~rifices The following illustrates the orifice sizes that are used and is not intended to ~e limiting:
Using a compressed gas propellant to obtain a high product delivery rate, a 0 030 to 0. 040 inch i. d. > 1 cm long capillary dip tube could be u~ed as the liquid tap orifice and a 0. 003 to 0. 004 inch i. d.
short <1 cm orifice (as in a compartment wall) as the gas tap orifice.
. ~
Using a compressed gas prop~llant to obtain a low product delivery rate, a 0. ~14 to 0. 020 inch i. d. > 1 cm long capillary dip tube could be used as the liquid tap orifice and a 0. 006 inch i. d short < 1 cm orifice as the gas tap ~rifice.
Using a liquefied propellant to obtain a high product delivery rate, a 0. 060 to 0 080 inch i.d. > 1 cm capillary dip tube could be u~ed as the liquid tap orifice and a 0. 010 to 0 013 inch i. d. < 1 cm orifice as the gas tap orifice.
Using a liquefied propellant to obtain a low product delivery rate, a 0. 030 inch i.d. >1 cm capillar~ dip tube could be used a~ the liquid tap orifice and a 0. 018 inch i.d. <1 cm o~ifice as the gas tap ori~ice In general, a <1 cm orifice of about half the diameter can be ~ub3tituted for the ~ l cm capillary dip tube useA as the liquid tap orifice.
Conversely, a ~1 cm capillary tube of about twice the diameter can be substituted ~or the <1 cm orifice used as the gas tap orifice.
The gas tap orifice (or ori~ices) should have (or total) a total cross-sectio~al open area within the ra~ge from ab~ut 7 x 10 to about ~~
20 x 10 in2 (a single orifice having an internal diameter within the range 65~L7 from about 0. 003 inch to about 0. 05 inch) and can be larger or smaller than the liquid tap orifice (~r orifices).
The liquid tap orifice can be short (i. e~ < 1 cm) or long (i. e.
> 1 cm) A long orifice must have a larger diameter than a small one, because of liquid Priction during the passage therethrough. Thus a capillary dip tube can have an internal diameter within the range from about 0. 01 inch to about 0. 08 inch (0. 025 to 0. 2 cm), while a short < 1 cm orifice can ha~e an internal diameter within the rallge from about 0. 005 inch to about 0. 04 inch (0. 012 to 0.1 cm).
lû To provide sufficient foaming spa~e, there is an important ratio of foam compartment volume to liquid tap orifice diameter that should be ~rom about 10 , and preferably from about x ~ up to about 400 -, -preferably about 2~x0--, where x is a constant selected according to orifice length. For orifices less than 1 cm long, x- 1. For orifices 1 cm long or greater, x - 2.
Preferred dimensions depend upon whether a liquid or gaseous propellant is used, and are as follows~
Liquid Gas Propellant Propellant _ _ _ _ 20First Compartment volume (cc) 0. 5 to ~ 1 to 4 First Liquid Tap Orifice l inside diameter (cm) 0~ 06 to 0. 2 0. 012 to 0.1 Ratio of Flrst Comp~rtment 10 50 20 10 ~olume ~o First Liquid ~- to -~ x~ to--x~
25Tap Orifice Diameter Second Gas Tap Orifice 2.5 x 10 1 7 x 1~ 6to Cross-sectionalarea (in2) to 20x 10 . 20 x 10-These dimensions are for a long orifice (capillary dip tube). If the orifice is short, less than 1 cm, diameters are reduced by 1/2.
2Values shown are for a short orifice, less than 1 cm.

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'7 ,:
Both the gas tap and liquid tap orifices are in the mean~
defining the foam compartment, such as a wall thereof. The liquid tap orifice is placed s~ that liquid aerosol composition entering the foam ;;
compartment is disposed across the line of flow from the gas tap orifice to the valve and out ~rom the container. The liquid tap ~rifice can be below, above, or on a line with the gas tap ~rifice.
The gas tap orifice(s) should be loca~ed out of direct contact ~;
with propellant liquid to ensure that the propellant gas, whether liquefied or not, enters as gas bubbles into the liquid aerosol comp~sition to ;~
~rm a foam. The type OI foam that is formed depends upon a number of variables, of which the most important are the foa~ning qualities of the liquid aerosol comp~sition9 the diameter of the gas tap orifice(s) which determines the size of the gas bubbles released therefrom into the liquid aerosol compositiotl; the height or depth of the layer of aerosol comp~siti~n through which the bubbles must pass in order to reach the valve for expllsion from the container; the distance between the layer of aerosol compositi~n and the valve; and the rate of formation, i. e., rate of bubbling, and relative stability of the foarn~ which can be controlled by pressure o propellant gas; the number of gas tap orifices; and oaming agents present in the liquid aerosol comp~sition.
The gas tap and liquid tap ~rifices can be disposed in any typ~ of porous or foraminous structure. One each of a gas tap and liquid tap .

.. . . .- . , .

orifice through the compartment wall separating the propellant and any ~ther compartments from the foam compartment will suffice. A pl~rality of gas tap and liquid tap orifices can be used~ for more rapid foaming and compDsition delivery. The t~tal orifice opPn area is of course determinative, so that several large orifices can afford a similar delivery rate to many small orifices. However, gas tap ~lrifice size also affects bubble size, as noted above, SQ that if small bubbles are desired a plurality of small gas tap ~rifices may be preferable to several l~ge orifices.
Orifices may also be provided on a memb~r inserted in the w~ll ; -or at ~ne end of the wall separating the propellant and any other compartments from the f~am comp~rtment. One type of such member is a perforated or apertured plastic or metal pLate or sheet.
The liquid tap orifice can be rather short or rather long, as in a capillary dip tube extending into the bottom oE a layer or cQmpart~nent for liquid aer~ol comp~sitis~n. The term "orifice" generically encompasses capillary passages, which behave as orifices regardless ~E length in respect to liquid aerosol composition flow therethrough.
The cross-sectional shape of the orifice is not critical. The orifices can be circular, elliptical, rectangular, polygonal, or any other irregular or regular shape in cross-section. ;
Large orifices form large bubbles, and expel a relatively high ratio of propellant to liquid, and these are less efficient utili~ers o~
propellant. Very small orifices may o~fer high resistance to gas flow, unle~s they are relati~ely sllort, i e., the material is thin) as in the case o~
membrane filters. Since thin materials are relatively weak, supporting ;~
'~

~

structures may be required, which increase the cost ~f the container. The preferred orifices are throngh the separating compartment wall.
The gas tap and liquid tap orifices shvuld provide an open area sufficient to provide a propellant gas flow to foam a sufficient volume of liquid aerosol comp~sition for a given delivery of foam spray. Thus, the open area is determined by the amount of aerosol composition to be foame~, and the amo~nt of the delivery. In general, the ~rifice ~psn area is n~t critical~ and can be widely varied. However, it is usually preerred that the open area be within the range from abo lt 0. 005 to about 10 mm, and still more preferably from about 0. 01 to about 1 mm .
The shut-off valYe of the invention can be placed at any convenient location across the line of flow of liquid to the delivery port. Thus, it can be at or in the passage leading directly to the delivery pDrt, downstream or upstream of the delirery valve, in the blending space, or in a foam chamber, if there be one, or at or in the vap~r tap orifice.
It is sufficlent to close off the vap~r tap orifice, if there be a dip tube leading to the liquid tap ~rifice, since this will prevent escape of li~quid.
However, the shut-off valve can also be arranged to close off the valve stem orifice, Ol the blending space of foam chamber~ or the valve stem passa~e.
In all such cases, all flow is cut off, even if the manipulatable valve be open.The shut-off valve in accordance witll th~ invention can t~e any of several forms.
A pref0rred emb~diment of shut-off valve has a valve means which is free to roll with gxavity, such as a cylinder or ball, which can roll freely along an inclined guide, chute or supp~rt, into a p~ition at the valve seat closing off the valve passage when the container is in any position between a few degrees less than horizontal to fully inverted, i.e., from -2 to -90' below the horiz~ntal, but which no~nally is dra~vn by gravi~T into an at-rest position in which the shut-of~ valve is open when the top of the container is in any position between a few degrees below the horizontal to fully upright, i . e., +90 . As the container is brought from an upright position toward the horizontal, the ball or cylinder can roll down towards the valve seat, and at some angle near the horizontal will roll into position on the valve seat, closing off flow to the valve passage. The flammability hazard is eliminated when the container is in any position.
This embodiment is especially suitable for disposition in a blending space, or foam chamber, or across a delivery valve stem passage or orifice, including a vapor tap valve in the ball housing.
Another embodiment of the shut-off valve o~ the invention is a slide valve, slidable along a guide between open and closed positions. ~ the open positlon, the slide valve is away from the valve seat and the valve passage is open. As the container is brought into a fully inverted position at an angle at about 10 or so beyond the horizontal, the slide valve slides along the guide into contact with the valve seat, closing off the valve passage.The slide valve can for example be tubular and arranged toslide along a concentric tubul~r guide, the guide constituting a dip tube, or a ~ `
wall encl~irlg a bl~nding space or foam chamber. The vapor tap or valve stem orifice extends radially through the tubular guide, or is disposed a~ll~ at one end of the tubular guide~ In the former case, the side of the tubular slide valve can be arranged to close off the orifice through the tubular guide. In the latter case, the end of the slide valve can be ' 2q :::

arranged to close off the orifice, when brought into abutting relation therewith.
Another form of slide valve has a disc with a flanged outer periphery, movable along the concentric tubular guide. The orifice or passage to be closed off is axially disposed, in a wall of a mixing or blending space or foam chamber. It can for example be a vapor tap orifice through the bottom wall of the blending space or foam chamber.
The vapor tap orifice is accordingly closed off when the disc comes into a~utment with the bottom wall, guided in this position by the tubular guide.
Other variations will be apparent to those skilled in this art.
Preferred embodiments of aerosol containers in accordance with the invention are illustrated in the drawings, in which:
Figure 1 represents a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the valve system of one embodiment of aerosol container in accordance with the invention, including a capillary dip tube in fluid flow connection withthe vapor tap orifice; with the shut-off valve arranged as a slide valve movable along the dip tube as a tubular guideg and shown in the open position;
Figure lA represents a detailed view of the valve stem a~d poppet, inverted, and showing the shut-off valve i~ the closed position;
~ re 2 represents a cross~sectional view tal~en along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;
Figure 3 represents a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of valve s~rstem in accordance with the inventionj with a restricted tail piece and a standard dip tube in fluid flow connection ~ ~;5~
with the vapor tap orifice; and the shut-off valve arranged as a slide valve to move along the projecting wall of the blending space as a tubular guide. - :
Figure 4 repre~ents a cross-secti~nal view taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 3.
. _ . . ::
Figure 5 rep~esents a iongitudinal sectional view oî another . embodiment o aerosol c~ntainer in accordance with the invention, in the upright position, with a foam chamb~r, and a ball valve in the open position, movable within the foam chamber between open and cl~sed positions;
Figure 5A is a detailed view showing the shut-ogf valve of Figure 5 ._, _ . .in the closed position, with the container inverted; ~ :
Figure 6 represents a cross-sectional view taken al~ng the line 6-6 of Figure 5; :
Figure 7 represents a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of aerosol container in accordance with the invention, in the upright position, with a foam chamber, and a slidable disc valve in the ~ .
open position, arranged to close off a vapor tap orifice in the bottom wall ~. :
of the foam chamber when the container is inverted;
~igure 7A is a detailed view showing the shut-off valve o Figure 7 in the closed position, with the container inverted;
Fi~u e 8 represents a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of ~ re 7.
, Fi~re 9 represents a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of another embodirnent of valve system, with the aerosol container in the upright position, with a capillary dip tube, and with the shut~off valve arranged as a ball valve, in the open position, movable within an enlarged portion of the dip tube;

.

Figure 9A represents a detailed view showing the shut-off valve of Figu e 9 in the closed position, with the container inverted;
_ure 10 represents a cr~s-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of_gure 9.
Figure 11 represents a longitudinal secti~nal view of another embodi.ment of aerosol container in the open position, with a pair of porous bubblers and a shut-off valve of the ball type in the open position, at the inlet end of the delivery valve stem passage9 and Figure llA repre~ents a detailed view showing the shut~ff valve of _gure 11 in the closed position, with the container inverted; and Figure 12 represents a cross-sectional view taken along the line 12-12 of F ure 11~
In principle, the preferred aerosol containers of the invention utilize a container having at least one compartment for propellant gas and liquid aerosol composition, communicated by at least one gas tap orifice and at least one li~uid tap orifice to a blending space, which is across the line of flow to the valve delivery port. A liquid aerosol co~np~sition to be blended with propellant gas and then e~:pelled from the container is placed in this compartment of the container, in flow communication via the liquid tap orifice with the blending space, so as to admit li~uid aerosol composition into the blending space, while propellant gas flows into the blending space via the gas tap orifice or orifices to the valve The aerosol containers in accordance with the invention can be made Oe metal or plastic, the latter being preferred for corrosion resistance. However9 plastic-coated metal containers can also be ;:

, .. , . ,,,,, , ,, . ," , , :,~ .

~6~
used, to reduce corrosion. Aluminum, anodized aluminum, coated aluminum, zinc-plated and cadmium-plated steel, tinj and acetal polymers ~uch as Celcon or Delrin are suitable container materials.
The gas tap and liquid tap orifices can be disposed in any type of porous or foraminous structure. One each of a gas tap and liquid tap orifice through the compartment wall separating the propel~nt and any other c~mpartments from the blending space will suffice. A plurality of gas tap and liquid tap orifices can be used, for more rapid blending .~. .: .
and compositi~n delNer~, but the delivery rate of liquid will still be low, because of the high gas: liquid ratio. The total orifice open area is of course determinative, so that several large orifices can afford a similar delivery rate to many small orifices. However9 gas tap orifice size also affects blending, so that a plurality of small gas tap orifices may be preferable to several Large orifices.
Orifices may also be provided on a mernber inserted in the wall or at one end of the wall separating the propellant and any other compartments from the blending space. One type of such member is a perforated or apertured plastic or metal plate or sheet.
The liquid tap orifice can be rather short or rather long, as in a passage through a tail piece member. While a capillary dip tube extending into the bottom of a layer or compartment for liquid aerosol composition is a kind of liquid tap orifice, different dimensions are applicable. The term "orifice" as used herein generically encompasses passages narrow enough to beh~ve as orifices, regardless of lengtb, in respect to liquid aerosol composition flowed therethrough , ;

~ .

~i5~ ~
The cross-sestional shape of the orifice is n~t critical. The orifices can be circular, ellipticalg rectangular, polygonal, or any other irregular or regular shape in cross-section.
In the aerosol container 1 shown in Figures 1, lA and_~ the aerosol valve 4 is of conventional type, and comprises a delivery valve ~- poppet 8 seating against the sealing face 1~ of a sealing gasket 9 and integral with a valve stem ll. The delivery valve poppet 8 is open at the inner end, defining a socket 8a therein~ for the reception of a coil spring 18.
The passage 13 is separated from the socket 8a within the p~ppet 8 by the divider wall 8b.
Adjacent the poppet wall 8b in a side wall of the stem 11 is a valve stem orifice 13a. The gasket 9 has a central opening 9a therethrough, which receives the valve stem 11 in a sliding leak-tight fit, perrnitting the stem to move ea~ily in either direction throlgh the opening, without leakage o~ propellant gas or liquid from the cvntainer. When the valve stem is in the outwardl~ extended position shown in F ure 1, the surface of the poppet portion 8 contiguous with wall 8b is in sealing engagement with the inner face of the gasket 9, closing off the orifice 13a and the passage 13 to outwarcl flow of the contents of the container.
The outer end portion lla of the valve stem 11 is received in the a~ial socket 16 of the button actuator 12, the tip engagin~ the ledg~e 16a of the rece~s. The stem is attached to the actuator ~y a press fit. The a~ial socket 16 is in flow communication with a lateIal passage 17, leading to the actuator (valve delivery) orifice 14 of the button 1~.
The compression coil spring 18 has one end ~ta~ned in the .

socket 8a of the valve poppet 8, and IS based at its other end upon inner wall 6b of the valve housing 6. The spring 18 biases the poppet 8 ~ ::
towards the gasket 9, engaging it in a leak-tight seal at the valve seat 19.
When the valve poppet is against the valve seat 19, the orifice 13a leading into the passage 13 of the valve stem is cl~sed off. : -The delivery valve is however reciprocably movable towards and away from the valve seat 19 by pressing inwardly on the button actuator 12, thus m~ving the val~re stem 11 and with it poppet 8 against the spring 18.
When the valve is moved far enough away from the seat 19, into the position ~hown in detail in Figure lA, the orifice 13a is brought benea~h the valve gasket 9, and a flow p~ssage is therefore open from the blending space 5 defined by the valve housing 6 to the delivery port 14.
The limiting open position of the valve poppet 8 is fixed by the wall 6b of housing 6, the valve poppet 8 encountering tlle housing wall, and stopped. The valve stem orifice 13a when in the open position com-municates the stem passage 13 with the actuator pa~sages 16,17 and valve delivery orifice 14, and thus depressing the actuator 12 permits fluid flow via the space 5 to be dispensed from the container at delivery port 14.
Thus, the spring 18 ensures that the valve poppet 8 and thereore valve ~ i9 normally in a cl~ed position, anfl that the valve is open only when the button actuator 12 is moved manually against the force o~ the :;
spring ~8.
The valve housing 6 has an e~panded portion 6a within which :
is received the sealing gasket 9 and retained in pOSitiOIl at the upper end ~3 :
, . . . ~ , . .

.

of the housing. The expanded portion 6a is retained by the crimp 23b in the center of the mounting cup 23, with the valve stem 11 extending through an aperture 23a in the cup. The cup 23 is attached to the container dome 24, which in turn is attached to the main container portion 25.
Through the bottom wall 7 of the valve housing 6 is a vapor tap orifice 2, which is in flow connecti~n with the upper portion 20 of the space 21 within the container 1, and therefore with the gas phase of pr~pellant, which rises into this portion of the container. The blending slpace 5 of the valve housing 6 terminates in a passage 5a~ enclosed in the projection 6c Oe the housing 6. In the passage 5a is inserted one end of the capillary dip tube 32, which extends all the way to the bottom of the container; and thus dips into the liquid phase o~ the aerosol compo-sition in portion 21 of the container. Liquid aerosol composition accordingly enters the space 5 at the passage 5a, via the capillary dip tube 32, so that the dip tube serves as a long liquiA tap orifice, while gas enters the space 5 through the gas tap orifice 2.
In the valve shown~ the diameter of the actuator (valve delivery) orifice 14 is 0. 5 mm, the valve stem orifice 13a is 0. 5 mm, the diameter of the vapor tap orifice 2 is 0. 76 mm and the inside diameter o~ the capillary dip tube 32 is 1. 0 m~
I~ operation, btltton 12 is depressed, so that the valve stem 11 and with it valve poppet 8 and orifice 13a are manipulated to the open position~ away from valve seat 19. Liquid aerosol composition is there- ;
25 upon drawn up via the c~apillary dip tube 32 and passage 5a into the , ... .

blending space 5, where it flows up around the poppet 8 towards the valve stel~ orifice 13a, wh-le propellant gas passes thr~ugh the vapor tap orifice - ~
2, and is blended with the liquid aerosol comp~sition in the space 5 entering :
from dip tube 32, as it flows around the popp~t.8. The dimensi~ns of the ;~:
orifice 2, 32 are such that 18 volumes of gas enter through the vapor tap orifice 2 for each volume of liquid entering from the capillary dip tube 32.
The slide valve 3 of the invention has a valve body of pla~tic, -~
for exarnple polyethylene or polypropylene, with an annular rim 3a and a central disc va~ve 3b. The rim defines twin recesses 3c and 3d, o~ whic}l -recess 3c is wide envugh and deep enough to receive the end 6b of the ~`
valve housing 6, and all of wall 7. When it does so, tlle disc valve 3b eventually abuts md covers over the bottom wall 7 of the valve housing 67 thus effectively closing oEf the vapor tap orifice 2, when the valve 3 is in the uppermost position. ~Accordingly, the valve in this position closes ofP
the vapor tap orifice 2. ~ :.
The disc valve 3b has a central aperture 15 through which passes loosely the projection 6c oE the valve housing 6. The loose fit prevents binding of the disc against the projection 6c. The annular rim 3a is ~:
long enough to engage the housing 6 over the entire travel of the valve along projection 6c between the closed position abutting the bottom walI 7 of the ho~lJing 6~ cmd the stop9 6d on the projection 6c. In the open positlon, the valve di~c 3b is in the lowermost position, and rests against the stop 6d, as shown in Fi~ure 1. In this position, the container is upright and the valve under the force oE gravity remains in this position.
It will be apparent, however, that wh~n the container is inverted, ' ' ~ .
'' ' ~

...

t the valve will tend to slide along the proiection 6c into the n~wl~ low~rmost position (corresponding to the clo3ed position) shown in Figure 1~, with the valve disc 3b closillg off the vapor tap orifice ~. This eefectively prevents liquid from escaping from the container via the vapor tap ori~ice, even tho~1gh the liquid is now on the ~her side o~ the container. The dip tube 32 now taps the gas phase, and thus it is quite impossible for liquid to escape from the container. Accordingly, a flammability hazard due ts) the escape o~ flammable liquid is avoided.
This container is capable of delivering a dispersion type 10 aerosol antiperspirant composition of conven~ional formulation at a delive~
rate of about 0. 4 g/second, about 40~0 of the normal delivery rate of 1 g/second.
Accordingly, in order to obtain the same delivery of active ingredients (such as active antiperspirant) per squirt o~ a unit time, it is necessary to considerably increa~e the concentration of active antiperspirant 15 composition. Normally, such compositions contain less than 5% active ';
antiperspirant, because of clogging problems using standardized aerosol container valve systems and dimensions. In this container, however, it is pnssible to deliver at a low delivery rate about 0. 3 to abollt 0. 7 g/second of aerosol antiperspirant composition contairling from about 8~/o to about 20 20% active ingredient as suspended or dispersed solid ~naterial without clogging, because Oe the high proportion of gas to li~.uid.
In the aerosol container shown in F~r~s 3, 3A and 49 tbe capillary dip tttbe is replaced by a dip tube of normal dimensions and a ,~ '.

~:, ... . . .
.

restricted tail piece is inter~se~e~Lw~en $he valve and the dip tub~ t~
obtain the desired restriction of liquid comp~sition flow towards the valve delivery system oE the container when the valve is opened. In other respects, the container and the shut-off valve are identical to that of Figures 1, lA and 2, and therefore like reference numera~s are used for like parts.
In this container, the aerosol valve is of conventional type, as shown in Figures 3, 3A and 4, with a valve ætem 11 having a valve button 12 - attached at one end, with valve button passages 16,17 and a delivery orifice 14 therethrough, and a valve bo~y 6 pinched by crimp 23b in the aerosol container cap 23. The valve body 6 has a blending space 5, which opens at the lower end into the restricted tail piece orifice 5b, c~nstituting a liquid tap orifice, and at the other end, beyond the valve poppet 8, when the valve is open, into the valve stem orifice 13a. The valve poppet 8 is reciprocably mounted at one end of the valve stem 11, and is biased by the spring 18 against the valve seat 19 o~ the inside face oE gasket 9 in the normally closed position. The valve is opened hy depressing the button actuator 12. When the valve p~ppet 8 is away from its seat, the valve stem orifice 13a is in fluid flow communication with the blending space 5.
The valve housin~ 6 at its lower p~rtion 6g is tapered, and is provided with a vapor tap orifice 2a, which pllts the blending space 5 in flow connection with the gas or propellant phase in the space 20 at the upper portion of the aer~sol container. The liquid aerosol comp~sition is stored in the lower portion 21 of the container; and the dip tube 33 extends from the tail piece 6f, over which it is press-fitted in place, to the bottom o~ the container through the liquid phase, in flow connection with tail piece orifice 5b.
In this aerosol container, the diameter of actuator (valve delivery) orifice 14 is 0. 5 mm; the diameter of the valve stem orifice 13a is 0. 64 mm; the diameter of the vap~r tap orifice 2a is 0. 64 mm9 and the diameter of the tail piece passage 5b is 0. 76 mm.
In operation7 the bu~ton 12 is depressed, so that the valve pop~et 8 and orlfice 13a are manipulated to the open position. Liquid aerosol comp~iti~n is drawn up ~T the dip tub~ 33 via the restricted tail piece orifice passage 5b intothe blendingspace 5, where it is - ,~ , .
blended with propellant gas entering the sp~ce via the vapor tap orifice 2a from the propella~t space 21 oE the container. The blend, in a volume '~
ratio gas: liquid of at least 8, is expelled under propellant gas pressure through the valve stem orifice 13a, leaving the container via the stem passage 13, button passages 16,17, and orifice 14 of the valve, as a fine spray.
,:
The slide valve 3 has a valve body oE plastic for example polyethylene or polypropylene, with an annular rim 3a and a central clisc valve 3b. The rim defines a recess 3d which is wide enollgh and tapered `~

to conform to the tapered end 6g of the valve housing 6. When it receives ;;
end 6g, the di8c valve 3b covers over and abuts the bottom wall 7a of the valve housing 6, thus effectively closing o~ the vapor tap orifice 2a, when the valve 3 is in the uppermo~t position. ~ccordingly, the valve in this position closes of~ the vapor tap orifice 2a.
. ~

.. ... . . . . ..

The disc valve 3b has a central aperture 15 which fits loosely over the tail piece 6f o~ the valve housing 6. The loo~e fit pr~vents binding of the disc against the tail piece 6f. The annular rim 3a is long enough to engage housing 6g over the free travel distance Oe the valve 3 between the closed p~sition, abutting the bottom wall 7a of the housing 6, and the stop 6d on the tail piece 6f. In the open position, the valve disc 3b rests against the stop 6d, as shown in the Figure. In this p~sition, the container is upright~ and the valve under the force of gravity remains in the lowerml>st position.
It will be apparent however that when the container is irlverted, the valve 3 will tend to slide along the tail piece 6f, into the newly lowermost position corresponding to the closed p~sition, with the valve disc 3b closing off the vapor tap orifice 2a. This effectively prevents liquid from escaping from the container via the vapor tap orifice7 even tho~lgh the liquid is now on the other side of the container. The dip tube 3S now taps the gas phase, and thus it is quite imp~ssible for liquid propellant to escape from the container. Accordingly, a flammabili~ hazard due to the escape of flammable liquid is avoided.
In the aerosol container shown in Figures 5 and 6, the aerosol delivery valve 40 is of conventional type, with a valve stem 41 having a valve button 42 attached at one end and a Elow passag~ 43 theretl~ough, in 10w communication at one end via port 45 with the interior of a first foam compartment 50 oî the container 1, defined by side walls 51, with a gas tap oriEice 52 therein, and an orifice plate bottom 53 with a liquid tap orifice 54 therein. The orifice 52 is 1. 0 mm in diameter, and orifice 54 is 1. 0 mm in diameter. Both orifices 52, 54 are in flow - ~o~

communication with a second compartment 60, defined by side wall 51 and the outer contairler wall 64. The valve passage 43 is open at the other end at port 44 via button passage 46 to delivery port 47. The valve button 42 is manually moved against the coil spring 48 between open and closed positions. In the closed position, shown in Figure 59 the valve port 45 is closed, the valve being seated against the valve seat. In the opsn po~ition, the valve stem is depressed b~r pushing in bltton 42~ so that port 45 is exposed, a~d the contents of the foam compartrnent are free to pass through the valve pa~sage 43 and button passage 46 o~t the delivery port 47.
The remainder of the interior of the aerosol container outside ;
the walls 51 and bottom 53 of the foam compartment 50 thus constitutes the second annular propellant compartment 60 surrounding the first. The second compartment 60 contains liquefied propellant (such a~ a flammable hydrocarbo~, with a gas layer above, that fills headspace 65) as part ;`
of the liquid layer 66 of aerosol comp~sition. A dip tube 62 extends from the orifice 53 in foam compartment 50 to the bottom of the propsllant compartment 60. Through it, l~quid aerosol composition enter9 the foam compartment at orifice 540 when the val~re 40 is opened, and forms a layer therein.
In operation,, button 4;2 is depressed, so that the delivery v~lve is manipula~ed to the opsn position. Liquid aerosol composition is drawn up via dip tube 62 and oriPice 54 into foam compartment 50, while prop~llant gas passe3 through the orifice 52 and bubbles into aerosol composition in the compartment 50, where it foams the aerosol composition, and then expols , S~1~7 the foamed aerosol composition through the pas~ages 43a 46 leaving the container via port 47 ~f the valve as a fine spray. ~
In this embodiment, aerosol composition and propellant g~s are simultaneously introduced into the foam compartment 50 when the button 42 5 is depressed. The characteristics of the spra~r that is dispensed depe~ds on the relative rates at which these components are introduce~ into the foam cvmpartment. Thus, if the proportion of propellant gas to liquid aerosol composition is relatively high, the spray will be moist rather than wet, and the delivery rate will be low. If the proportion of propellant gas to ~iquid aerosol composition is relatively low, the spray will be wet, and the delivery rate will be relatively high.
The shut-off valve 27 in accordance with the invention comprises a ball 28 of inert noncorrodible metal such as aluminum, stainless steel, or brass, which is free to roll within the lower portion o the foam chamber 50 15 defined by the valve seat 29 and the bottom wall 53 of the chamber. The val~re seat is defined by the annular projection 29a extending inwardly from the wàll 51 of the foam chamber 50, with a central orifice 30. The lower wall of the valve seat 29 is tapered upwardly towards the orifice 30 sufficiently to guide the ball 28 and permit it to lodge in the orifice 30, closing it off. E~tending 20 upwardly frorn the bottom wall 53 of the foam chamber 50 are a series of projection~ 31 (which can be omitted, if desired), which when the ball is in the position shown at the b~ttom of the chamber 50, retain the ball away fro~n the liquid tap orifice 54, communicating with the dip l;ube 62.
In the normal upright position of the container, as shown in 25 Figure 57 the ball 28 is at the bottom of the foam chamber, resti~g on the .
projectivns 31. Accordingly, when the button 42 is depressed, the valve 40 is opened, and liquid aerosol comp~sition can be drawn up through the dip tube 62 into the foam chamber 50, while vapor phase propellant gas from the head space 65 can enter the foam chamber through the vapor tap orifice 52.
Thus, the container acts normally when it is in this position, and in fact in all positions abs)ve the h~rizontal, since the ball then tends under gravity to remain in the position shown. ;
When however the container is inverted so the delivery valve 40 is below the horizontal~ the ball is free to roll all)ng the side walls of the foam ~ --chamber 50, and when it does so, it moves against the orifice 30, closing ~ -it off, as seen in Figure 5A. It is guided there by the tapered walls of the valve seat 29. It is held in this position by the pressure of liquid in that `
portion of the foam chamber from the dip tube 62, and also by pressure of liquid propellant through the vapor tap orifice 52. In this position, the ball closes off delivery valve 40 and the foam chamber beyond the valve 27 from the compartment 60 and the contents thereof, so that delivery of aerosol composition is effectively stopped. This prevents the escape of liquid propellant through the vapor tap orifice 52 and the valve stem passage delivery port 45, thus avoiding a flammability hazard.
The aerosol container shown in Figures 7, 7A and 8 is identical to that of Figures 5, 5A and 6~ except for the shul-of~ valve of the inveniion.
Therefore, like nul~bers are used for like parts.
The aerosol delivery valve 4;0 is of conventional type, with a valve stem 41 having a valve button 42 attached at one end and a flow passage 43 `
therethrough, in flow communication at one end via port 45 with the interior of a first foam compartment 50 of the container 1, dePined by side walls 51, with a gas tap orifice 52 therein. The orifice 52 is 0.10 cm in diameter, and '~

.

- ~c~

orifice 54 is 0 08 cm in diameter. B~th orifices 52, 54 are in flow communica-tion with a second compartment 60, defined by side walls 51 and the outer container wall 64. The valve passage 43 is open at the other end at port 44 via button passage 46 to delivery port 47. The valve button 42 is manually moved against the coil spring 48 between open and closed positions. In the closed position, shown in Figure 7, the valve port 45 is closed, the .
~ralve being seated against the valve seat. In the open position, the valve stem is depressed by pushing in ~utton 42, so that port 45 i~ e~posed, and the contents of the foam compartment are free to pass thr~ugh the valve passage 43 and blltton passage 46 out the delivery port 47.
The remainder of the interior of the aerosol container outside ! ., the walls 51 and bottom 52 of the foam compartment 50 thus con~titutes the second annular propellant compartment 60 surroundillg the first.
The second compartment 60 contains liquefied prop~llant ~such as a flammable hydrocarbon) with a gas layer above which fills head space 65 over the layer 66 of aerosol comp~sition. A dip tube 62 e~tends from the liquid tap orifice 54 in foam compartmerlt 50 $o the bottom of the container in the propellant compartment 60. Through it, liquid aerosol composition enters the foam compartment at orifice 54, when the valve ~0 is opened, and forms a layer therein.
In operation, button ~2 is depressecl, so that the delivery valve is manipulated to the op~n position. Liquid aerosol composition i8 drawn up via dip tube 62 and orifice 54 into foam compartment 509 while propellant gas passes through the orifice 52 and bubbles into aerosol composition in the compartment 50, where it foams the aervsol composition, R~

and then expels the foamed aerosol composition through the passages 42, 46, leaving the container via orifice 47 o~ the valve as a fine spray.
In this embodiment, aerosol composition and propellant gas .
are simultaneously introduced i~to the foam compartment 50 when the button 42 is depressed. The characteristics of the spray that is dispensed depends on the relative rates at which these components are introduced into the foam compartment. Thus, if the proportion o~ propellant gas to aerosol composition is relatively high, the spray will be moist rather than wet, and the delivery rate will be low. If the proportion of propellant gas to aerosol comE)osition is relatively low, the spray will be wet, and the delivery rate will be relatively high.
The slide valve in acc~rdance with the invention comprises a valve body 55 with a central valve disc portion 56 and a central aperture 57, and a peripheral rim portion 58 defining a recess 59 above the disc 56. The recess loosely receives the foam chamber walls 51, 53, and permits the valve disc 56 to seat against the wall 53 over the orifice 52~ ;
closing it off when the valve disc is in this portion. The aperture 57 loosely receives the dip tube 62. The dip tube thus serves as a central guide for the val~e, and the wall 51 an outer guide for the valve. The rim 58 engages the wall 51 over the travel of the valve disc along the dip tube 62 b~tween wall 51 and the ~top 6~ on the dip tube, 44 ~

.. ' ' . ' ~ ' ~:`` ..

: `.

~65~
In the normal upright position of the cvntairler as shown in Figure 7, the slide valve is resting on the st~p 67. Accordingly, when the button 42 is depressed, liquid aerosol composition can be drawn up through the dip tube 62, and vapor phase propellant ~rom the head space 65 can enter the foam chamber 50 through the vapor tap orifice 52. Thus, the container acts normally when it is in this positiun, and in fact in all positions where delivery valve 40 is above the horizvntal, since the slide valve tends under gravi~T to remain in the position ~h~wn.
When however the container is inverted, as shown in Ei re 7A, so that the delivery valve 40 is below the horizontal~ the valve is free to slide along the dip tube 62 to a position abutting wall 53 of the foam ~hamber 50 and does so, moving the disc valve 56 into place across the ;
orifice 52, closing it off. The valve is held in this position by gravity. In this position, the valve closes off the foam chamber 50 and a1so the valve stem passage to delivery of liquid. This prevents the escape of liquid propellant through the vapor tap orifice 52 and the delivery port 47, thus avoiding a flammability hazard.
In the aerosol container shown in Fîgures 9, 9A and 10, the capillary dip tube is replaced by a dip tube of normal dimen~ions, and a restrlcted tail piece is illterposed between the valve and the dip tube to obtain the desired restriction Oe liquid composition flow towards the valve delivery system o~ the container when the valve is opened. The shut-off valve of the invention comprises a free-rolling ball in a valve chamber interp~5ed in the dip tube in the line of flow upstream of the restricted tail piece from the contents of the container.
In this container, the aerosol valve is of conventional type, with a . ~ .

-Li~
delivery valve stem 71 having a valve passage 73, a valve button 72 attached at one end, with valve button passages 7~ 77 and a delivery orifice 74 therethrough, and a valve stem orifice 73a at the outer end, openi~g into a delivery valve body 76 pinched by crimps 83b in the aerosol container cap 83. The valve body 76 has a biending space 75, which opens at the lower end into the orifice 75a of the restricted tail piece 84, a~d constitutinga llquid tap orifice~ and at the other end, beyond the delivery valve p~ppet 78, when the valve is open, into the valve stem orifice 73a. The valve poppet 78 is reciprocably mounted at one end of the valve stem 71, and has a socket 78a therein for reception of coil spring 88. The poppet is biased by the spring 88 against the valve seat 79 on the inside face of gasket 89 in the normally closed position. The delivery valve is opened by depressing the button actuator 72. When the value poppet 78 is away from its seat, the valve stem orifice 73a is in fluid flow communication with the blendin~ space ;
75.
The valve housing 90 is provided with a vapor tap orifice 97, which puts the blending space 75 and space 99 in flow connection with the gas or propellant phase in the space 80 at the upper portion of the aerosol container.
The liquid aerosol composition is stored in the lower portion 81 of the container; and the dip tube 85 extellds to the bottom of the container through the liquid phase, in flow cormectlon with tail piece orifice 75b in tailpiece 95 of valve housing 91.
In this aerosol container, the diameter oE actuator (valve delivery) orifice 74 is 0. 5 mm9 the diameter oE the valve stem orifice 73a is 0. 64 mm;
the diameter of the vapor tap orifice 82 is 1. 0 mm; and the diameter of the tail piece passage 75b is 0. 89 mm.
':

.
~, .

.. . . . .. . . .

In operation, the button 72 is depressed, so that the valve poppet 78 and orifice q3a are manipulated to the open positi~n. Liquid aerosol composition is drawn up by the dip tube 85 via the restricted tail piece orifice passage 75b into chamber 99 where it is blended with propellant gas entering the space via the vapor tap orifice 97, from the propellant space 80 of the container9 and then via orifice 75a into the blending space '75. If the chambers 99, 75 are large enough they can serve as a foaming chamber.
If it is too small, foaming may not occur. However, the gas ratio is not - ;~
affected. The blend, in a volume ratio gas: ~iquid of at least 8, is e~pelled under propellant gas pressure thrt~ugh the valve stem orifice 73a, leaving the c~ntain0r via the stem passage 73, button passages 76, q7 and orifice 74 of the valve, as a fine spray.
The shut-off valve of the invention 90 is interposed across the line of flow from space 81 to blending chamber 75 via dip tube 85, and has a valve housing 91 with a chamber 99 within which is captured a free~rolling ball valve 92, adapted to lodge against either inlet port 93 or outlet port 94: :
The housing 91 is shaped to fit snugly in a press fit at tubular extension 95 over tail piece 84 and at tubular exten~ion 96 over the end 85a of dip tube 85.
The sides of the housing 91 taper towards the inlet port 93 and ~utlet port 94, so as to direct the ball 92 towards the ports as it rolls along the housing, at an angle of about 9 at the center to abQut 15 near the ports, the angle being ta~en with reference to the longitudinal a~is of the housing 91.
In the upright position of the container, shown in Figure 9, the ballis at the inlet port 93 end of the housing 91. When the container is tipped towards the horizontal, the taper pro~ides a downhill run for the ball towards the outlet port 94, and as it approaches the port, the taper at the other end 47 ::

~ s~
directs it tn the port 94, so that the ball lodges against the port as shown in Figure 9A when the container is ab~ut in a horizs)ntal position, or below.
It remains there, closing the port 94, until the container is tipped far enough to once again result in a d~wnhill run towards port 93, whereupon 5 the ball changes position and lodges against port 93. However~ it does not seal off the port 93, because of upstream propellant gas pressure in ~ .
compartment 81, unlike its behavior at port 94, where upstream pressure presses it against the port, not away from the port, towards an unseated position.
~n operation, in the normal upright position of the container, as shown in the drawing, the ball 92 is at the bottom oE the chamber 99~ resting across port 93 Accvrdingly, when the button 72 is depressed, the delivery valve 78 is opened, and liquid aerosol comp~sition can be drawn up through the dip tube 85 into the chambers 99, 75, while vapor phase propellant gas from the head space 80 can enter the chambers 99, 75 through the vapor tap orifice 97. Thus, the container acts normally when it is in this position, . ..
- and in fact in aIl positions above the horizontal, since the ball then tends ;;
under gravity to. remain in the position shown. .
When however the container is inverted as shown in Figure 9~, so the ~0 delivery ralve is below the horiæontal, the ball is free to roll along the side.
walls of the chamb~r 99, and eventually moves against the port 94, closing it Oee. It is guided there by the tapered walls of the chamber 99. It is held in this position by the pressure of liquid in the chamber 99 from the dip tube 85. In ~ :
this position, the ball closes oEf the delivery valve and the chamber 75 beyond 25 the p~rt 94 from the compartment 81 and the contents thereof, so that delivery ~

4~ ~.

- . :..... , . .~ ~ , of liquid aerosol composition is effectively stopped. This prevents the escape of liquid propellant thr~ugh the vapor tap orifice 97 and the valve stem passage delivery port 74, thus avoiding a flammability hazard.
The aerosol container of Figures 11, llA and 12 has two porous bubblers 100,101 interposed at each end of the inner compartment 102 of the container. The first bubbler 100 is in the form of a perforated plate with orifices 104, and the second bubbler 101 is an absorbent porous fibrous nonwoven mat, as in patent No. 3, 970, 219.
The liquid aerogol c~mposition is retained in the inner compartment 102, to the level shown above the perforated plate 100. Propellant gas in liquefied form is retained in the second compartment 103 outside the first, extending down to the llquid level shown.
When the valve button 106 is depressed and the valve 105 brought to the open position, liquefied propellant volatilizes, and passes in gaseous form through the openings 104 of the perforated plate 100, foaming the liq.uid in thecompartment 102, and driving it upwardly to the absorbent mat 101. The absorbent mat 101 also has a liquid filling the pores 107, and the propellant gas drives this liquid out of the pores, and foams this liquid as well, with theresult that a fine spray of foamed aerosol composition is d&livered via the valve delivery port 108 while the valve is open.
The shut-off valve of this embodiment is of th~ sarne type as in F~gures 9, 9A and 10, and therefore like numbers are used for the parts thereof.The valve housing 91 in this case has six projections 98 extending inwardly into the chamber 99 abou~ inlet port 93, so as to prevent seatin~ of the ball 92 at the port and thus closing it off. In other respects, operation is similar to that of Figures 9,, 9A and 10. When the container is tipped .... .
towards the horizontal from the upright position shown, the ball 92 eventually has a downhill run towards port 94, and rolls towards it. As it ~ :does so, it gathers momentum, which carries it into the seating position shown in Figure llA across port 94, closing it off. Then, when the container is returned towards the upright position, the ball eventually has a downhill run towards.port 93, and breaks away from pDrt 94, opening the port to flow once again. `~
The aerosol container of the instant invention can be used to .
deliver any aerosol composition in the form of a spray. It is particularly :
suited for use with aqueous solutions, since these are readily compounded `
to produce a foam. However, any liquid aerosol composition can be foamed, and the container can be used for any liquid aerosol composition. The range of products that can be dispensed by this aerosol container is diverse, and includes pharmaceuticals for spraying directly into oral, nasal and vaginal .
passages; antiperspirants; deodorants; hair sprays, fragrances and flavors; : .. .
body oils; insecticides; window cleaners and other cleaners; spray starches;
20 and polishes for autos, furniture and shoes.
~ .

. :
~ .

Claims (41)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive, property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An aerosol container for use with compositions containing liquefied flammable propellants, and having a shut-off valve closing off flow through an open manually-operated delivery valve whenever the container is tipped from the upright position beyond the horizontal towards the fully inverted position, the container comprising, in combination, a pressurizable container having at least one storage compartment for an aerosol composition and a liquefied propellant in which compartment propellant can assume an orientation according to orientation of the container between a horizontal and an upright position, and a horizontal and inverted position; a delivery valve movable manually between open and closed positions, and including a valve stem and a delivery port; an aerosol-conveying passage in flow connection at one end with the storage compartment and at the other end with the delivery port, manipulation of the delivery valve opening and closing the passage to flow of aerosol composition and propellant from the storage compartment to the delivery port; all flow between the storage compartment and the delivery port proceeding via the aerosol-conveying passage; and a shut-off valve responsive to orientation of the container to move under the force of gravity between positions opening and closing off flow at least of liquefied propellant to the delivery port, the shut-off valve being positioned across the aerosol-conveying passage in the line of flow from the storage compartment to the delivery port, and moving into an open position in an orientation of the container between the horizontal and an upright position, and moving into a closed position in an orientation of the container between the horizontal and an inverted position.

2. An aerosol container according to claim 1, in which the shut-off valve comprises a valve seat, a valve passage through the valve seat, and a free-rolling ball valve adapted to roll into engagement with the valve seat and close off the valve passage at an orientation of the container between the horizontal and an inverted position, and adapted to roll away from the valve seat and open the valve passage at an orientation of the container between the horizontal and an upright position.

3. An aerosol container according to claim 2 in which the delivery valve includes a valve housing receiving one end of a dip tube, and the ball valve, valve passage and valve seat are disposed within the valve housing.

4. An aerosol container according to claim 2 in which the delivery valve includes a foam chamber housing receiving one end of a dip tube, and the ball valve, valve passage and valve seat are disposed within the foam chamber.

5. An aerosol container according to claim 1 in which the shut-off valve comprises a valve seat, a valve passage through the valve seat, and a slide valve adapted to slide into engagement with the valve seat and close off the valve passage at an orientation of the container between the horizontal and an inverted position, and adapted to slide away from the valve seat and open the valve passage at an orientation of the container between the horizontal and an upright position.

6. An aerosol container according to claim 5 in which the slide valve comprises a valve body having a central disc portion with a central aperture therethrough receiving a central valve guide, and an annular peripheral rim portion embracing an outer valve guide.

7. An aerosol container according to claim 6 in which the delivery valve includes a valve housing receiving one end of a dip tube, the central valve guide is the dip tube, and the outer valve guide is the valve housing.

8. An aerosol container according to claim 7 in which the valve housing includes a vapor tap orifice, and the slide valve in the closed position closes off the vapor tap orifice.

9. An aerosol container according to claim 8 in which the vapor tap orifice is in a bottom wall of the valve housing, and the disc portion closes off the vapor tap orifice.

10. An aerosol container according to claim 8 in which the side wall of the valve housing includes a vapor tap orifice, and the slide valve in the rim portion closes off the vapor tap orifice.

11. An aerosol container for delivering liquid aerosol compositions highly concentrated with respect to the active ingredient at a low delivery rate, comprising, in combination, a pressurizable container having a delivery valve movable between open and closed positions, a valve stem, and a delivery port; an aerosol-conveying passage in the valve stem leading to the delivery port; wall means defining a blending space and a storage space and separating the blending space from liquid aerosol composition and propellant within the container; a valve stem orifice in the valve stem in flow connection at one end with the blending space and at the other end with an aerosol-conveying valve stem passage leading to the delivery port; the valve stem orifice having a diameter within the range from about 0.33 to about 0.65 mm; bias means for holding the valve in a closed position; means for manipulating the valve against the bias means to an open position for expulsion of aerosol composition via the valve stem orifice to the delivery port; at least one liquid tap orifice through the wall means, having a cross-sectional open area within the range from about 0.2 to about 0.8 mm2 for flow of liquid aerosol composition from the storage space into the blending space; at least one vapor tap orifice through the wall means, having a cross-sectional open area within the range from about 0.2 to about 0.8 mm2 for flow of propellant from the storage space into the blending space; the ratio of liquid tap orifice to vapor tap orifice cross-sectional open area being within the range from about 0.5 to about 2.5; the open areas of the liquid tap orifice and vapor tap orifice being selected within the stated ranges to provide a volume ratio of propellant gas:liquid aerosol composition within the range from about 8:1 to about 40:1, thereby limiting the delivery rate of liquid aerosol composition from the container when the delivery valve is opened; all flow from the storage space to the delivery port proceeding via the liquid tap orifice or gas tap orifice, blending space and aerosol-conveying valve stem passage to the delivery port; and a shut-off valve positioned across the line of flow between the storage space and the delivery port and responsive to orientation of the container to move under the force of gravity between positions opening and closing off flow at least of liquefied propellant to the delivery port, the shut-off valve moving into an open position in an orientation of the container between the horizontal and an upright position, and moving into a closed position in an orientation of the container between the horizontal and an inverted position.

12. An aerosol container according to claim 11, in which the liquid tap orifice is a capillary dip tube whose cross-sectional open area is within the range from about 0.2 to about 1.8 mm2, for flow of liquid aerosol composition into the blending space; the vapor tap orifice through the wall means has a cross-sectional open area within the range from about 0.2 to about 0.8 mm2 for flow of propellant gas into the blending space; and the ratio of capillary dip tube to vapor tap cross-sectional open area is within the range from about 1.0 to about 3.2.

13. An aerosol container according to claim 11, in which the blending space has a volume of from about 0.1 to about 1 cc.

14. An aerosol container according to claim 11, having a single gas tap orifice and a single liquid tap orifice.

15. An aerosol container according to claim 11, having a tail piece passage as the liquid tap orifice.

16. An aerosol container according to claim 11 in which the container is cylindrical, with the valve at one end, the wall means defining the blending space comprises a concentric inner cylinder spaced from the walls of the container surrounding and housing the valve; the gas tap orifice is through a wall of the inner cylinder; the liquid tap orifice is through a wall of the inner cylinder; and the remainder of the interior of the aerosol container outside the walls and bottom of the inner cylinder comprises an annular compartment for propellant gas and liquid aerosol composition.

17. An aerosol container according to claim 16, having a plurality of gas tap orifices through a wall of the inner cylinder.

18. An aerosol container according to claim 16, comprising a separate compartment for liquid aerosol composition and for propellant, each in direct flow connection with the blending space via the liquid tap and gas tap orifices, respectively.

19. An aerosol container according to claim 16, in which the liquid tap orifice is a capillary dip tube whose cross-sectional open area is within the range from about 0.2 to about 1.8 mm2, for flow of liquid aerosol composition into the blending space; the vapor tap orifice through the wall means has a cross-sectional open area within the range from about 0.2 to about 0.8 mm2 for flow of propellant gas into the blending space; and the ratio of capillary dip tube to vapor tap cross-sectional open area is within the range from about 1.0 to about 3.2.

20. An aerosol container according to claim 16, in which the liquid tap orifice is disposed in a tail piece passage in flow connection to a dip tube.

21. An aerosol container for use with compositions containing liquefied flammable propellants, and having a shut-off valve closing off flow through an open manually-operated delivery valve whenever the container is tipped from the upright position beyond the horizontal towards a fully inverted position, comprising, in combination, a pressurizable container having at least one foam compartment and at least one storage compartment for an aerosol composition and a liquefied propellant in which storage compartment propellant can assume an orientation according to orientation of the container between a horizontal and an upright position, and a horizontal and inverted position; a delivery valve movable manually between open and closed positions, and including a valve stem and a delivery port; an aerosol-conveying passage in the valve stem in flow connection at one end with the foam and storage compartments and at the other end with the delivery port, manipulation of the delivery valve opening and closing the passage to flow of aerosol composition and propellant from the storage.

compartment via the foam compartment to the delivery port; wall means defining the foam compartment in the container, the foam compartment being in direct flow connection with the aerosol-conveying passage and with the storage compartment; all flow between the storage compartment and the delivery port proceeding via the foam compartment and aerosol-conveying passage in the valve stem; and porous bubbler means having through pores interposed between the foam and storage compartments with the through pores communicating the compartments, the pores being of sufficiently small dimensions to restrict flow of propellant gas from the storage compartment therethrough and form bubbles of such gas in liquid aerosol composition in the foam compartment across the line of flow from the bubbler to the delivery valve, thereby to foam the aerosol composition upon opening of the delivery valve, to atmospheric pressure, and to expel foamed aerosol composition through the open valve; and a shut-off valve positioned across the line of flow from the storage compartment to the delivery port and responsive to orientation of the container to move under the force of gravity between positions opening and closing off flow at least of liquefied propellant to the delivery port, the shut-off valve moving into an open position in an orientation of the container between a horizontal and an upright position, and moving into a closed position in an orientation of the container between the horizontal and an inverted position.

22. An aerosol container according to claim 21, in which the porous bubbler has pores of an average diameter within the range from about 0.111 to about 3 mm.

23. An aerosol container according to claim 22, in which the porous bubbler has an open area within the range from about 0.005 to about 10 mm2. 57

24. An aerosol container according to claim 21, in which the porous bubbler is a perforated sheet.

25. An aerosol container according to claim 21, in which the porous bubbler is a wire screen.

26. An aerosol container according to claim 21, in which the porous bubbler is a microporous membrane.

27. An aerosol container according to claim 21, in which the porous bubbler is a sheet of nonwoven fibrous material.

28. An aerosol container according to claim 21, in which the porous bubbler is a sheet of sintered particulate material.

29. An aerosol container according to claim 21, in which the porous bubbler is a filter sheet material.

30. An aerosol container according to claim 21, in which the container is cylindrical, with the valve at one end, and the means defining the first compartment comprises a concentric inner cylinder spaced from the walls of the container surrounding and extending from the delivery valve, and the porous bubbler closes off the other end of the inner cylinder, the remainder of the interior of the aerosol container outside the walls and bottom of the inner cylinder comprising the second annular compartment.

31. An aerosol container according to claim 30, comprising two porous bubblers, one interposed at one end of the first compartment and one interposed in the first compartment adjacent the valve, both being across the line of flow through the first compartment to the valve.

32. An aerosol container for use with compositions containing liquefied flammable propellants, and having a shut-off valve closing off flow through an open manually-operated delivery valve whenever the container is tipped from the upright position beyond the horizontal towards the fully inverted position, the container comprising, in combination, a pressurizable container having at least one foam compartment and at least one storage compartment for an aerosol composition and a liquefied propellant, in which storage, compartment propellant can assume an orientation according to orientation of the container between a horizontal and an upright position, and a horizontal and inverted position; a delivery valve movable manually between open and closed positions, and including a valve stem and a delivery port; an aerosol-conveying passage in the valve stem in flow connection at one end with the foam and storage compartments and at the other end with the delivery port, manipulation of the delivery valve opening and closing the passage to flow of aerosol composition and propellant from the storage compartment via the foam compartment to the delivery port;
wall means defining the foam compartment, the foam compartment having a volume of at least 0.5 cc and being in direct flow connection with the aerosol-conveying passage and with the storage compartment; all flow between the storage compartment and the delivery port proceeding via the foam compartment and aerosol-conveying passage in the valve stem; at least one first liquid tap orifice having a diameter within the range from about 0.012 to about 0.2 cm and communicating the foam and storage compartment for flow of liquid aerosol composition into the foam compartment from the storage compartment, and of sufficiently small dimensions to restrict flow of liquid aerosol composition therethrough; the ratio of foam compartment volume/first orifice diameter being from about ? to about ? where x is 1 when the orifice length is less than 1 cm, and 2 when the orifice length is 1 cm or more; at least one second gas tap orifice having a total cross-sectional open area within the range from about 7 x ? to about 20 x ? in2 and communicating the foam and storage compartments for flow of propellant into the foam compartment from the storage compartments therethrough, and of sufficiently small dimensions to restrict flow of propellant gas and form bubbles of such gas in liquid aerosol composition across the line of flow thereof to the valve, thereby to foam the aerosol composition upon opening of the valve to atmospheric pressure, and to expel foamed aerosol composition through the open delivery valve; and a shut-off valve positioned across the line of flow from the storage compartment to the delivery port and responsive to orientation of the container to move under the force of gravity between positions opening and closing off flow at least of liquefied propellant to the delivery port, the shut-off valve moving into an open position in an orientation of the container between a horizontal and an upright position, and moving into a closed position in an orientation of the container between the horizontal and an inverted position.

33. An aerosol container according to claim 32, in which the first compartment has a volume of from 1 to about 4 cc.

34. An aerosol container according to claim 33, having a single second gas tap orifice having a diameter within the range from about 0.003 to about 0.5 inch.

35. An aerosol container according to claim 33, having a capillary dip tube as the liquid tap orifice.

36. An aerosol container according to claim 32, having an orifice in a wall of the foam compartment as the liquid tap orifice.

37. An aerosol container according to claim 32, in which the container is cylindrical, with the delivery valve at one end, and the means defining the first compartment comprises a concentric inner cylinder spaced from the walls of the container surrounding and extending from the delivery valve, the gas tap orifice is through a wall of the inner cylinder, the liquid tap orifice is through a wall of the inner cylinder, and the remainder of the interior of the aerosol container outside the walls and bottom of the inner cylinder comprises the second annular compartment.

38. An aerosol container according to claim 37, having a plurality of gas tap orifices through a side wall of the inner cylinder.

39. An aerosol container according to claim 37, comprising a third compartment for liquid aerosol composition from the second compartment and in direct flow connection with the first separate compartment via the liquid tap orifice.

40. An aerosol container according to claim 37, comprising a capillary dip tube as the liquid tap orifice.

41. An aerosol container according to claim 32, in which the container is cylindrical, with the delivery valve at one end, and the means defining the first compartment comprises a concentric inner cylinder spaced from the walls of the container surrounding and extending from the delivery valve, the gas tap orifice is through a wall of the inner cylinder, a third compartment for liquid aerosol composition in direct fluid flow connection with the first compartment via the liquid tap orifice, and disposed below and concentric with the inner cylinder, and the remainder of the interior of the aerosol container outside the walls and bottom of the inner cylinder and third compartment comprises the second annular compartment.