Valve Stems for Metered Dose Dispensing Valves

Abstract

A valve stem ( 100 ) for use with a metered dose dispensing valve, said valve stem having a central longitudinal axis and comprising a first stem portion ( 101 ), a second stem portion ( 102 ) and a disk seal ( 112 ), said disk seal being disposed between the first and second stem portion along the longitudinal axis of the valve stem and said disk seal extending radially outwardly from the central longitudinal axis of valve stem so as to be capable of forming a fluid-tight seal with a portion of an internal wall of said valve.

1 . A valve stem for use with a metered dose dispensing valve, said valve stem generally defining a central longitudinal axis and comprising a first stem portion, a second stem portion and a disk seal, said disk seal being disposed between the first and second stem portion along the longitudinal axis of the valve stem and said disk seal extending radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of valve stem so as to be capable of forming a fluid-tight seal with a portion of an internal wall of said valve.  
   
   
       2 . A valve stem according to  claim 1 , wherein the disk seal is affixed to at least one of the stem portions.  
   
   
       3 . A valve stem according to  claim 2 , wherein the disk seal is affixed to the first and second stem portions.  
   
   
       4 . A valve stem according to  claim 2 , wherein the disk seal is mechanically fixed or/and bonded to one or both of the stem portions.  
   
   
       5 . A valve stem according to  claim 4 , wherein the disk seal is bonded through molding, welding, adhesive bonding or solvent bonding.  
   
   
       6 . A valve stem according to  claim 1 , wherein the disk seal fixedly adjoins said first and second stem portions.  
   
   
       7 . A valve stem according to  claim 6 , wherein said first and second stem portions are not directly affixed or connected to each other.  
   
   
       8 . A valve stem, according to  claim 1 , wherein the disk seal is elastomeric.  
   
   
       9 . A metered dose dispensing valve comprising a valve stem according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       10 . A metered dose dispenser comprising a container equipped with a metered dose dispensing valve according to  claim 9 .  
   
   
       11 . A metered dose dispenser according to  claim 10 , wherein the container contains a medicinal aerosol formulation.  
   
   
       12 . A metered dose dispenser according to  claim 11 , wherein the medicinal aerosol formulation comprises a medicament and a propellant selected from 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       13 . A metered dose dispenser according to  claim 12 , wherein the medicinal aerosol formulation further comprises ethanol.