U.S. patent application number 13/986816 was filed with the patent office on 2014-12-11 for multi-valve delivery system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ronald D. Green. Invention is credited to Ronald D. Green.
Application Number | 20140361037 13/986816 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52004610 |
Filed Date | 2014-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140361037 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Green; Ronald D. |
December 11, 2014 |
Multi-valve delivery system
Abstract
A storage and dispensing system for viscous fluids using a
single aerosol container having a multi-valve body wherein the
valves are activated by a single actuator and viscous materials are
kept separate until used. The system may use multiple collapsible
bags, a barrier liner, a dip tube, and an omnidirectional valve.
Novel mounting cups lacking conventional central pedestal portions
are disclosed. New domes for containers are disclosed which
eliminate the need for mounting cups. New static mixing devices are
disclosed. The devices are made up of static mixing components and
static dispensing components. New filling machines for aerosol
containers are disclosed. The filling machines contain a plurality
of conduits for the separate viscous materials. Filling heads
having nozzles depress the actuators of the containers and fill the
containers.
Inventors: |
Green; Ronald D.;
(Pataskala, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Green; Ronald D. |
Pataskala |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52004610 |
Appl. No.: |
13/986816 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/94 ; 222/136;
222/402.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/48 20130101;
B65D 83/62 20130101; B65D 83/36 20130101; B65D 83/682 20130101;
B65D 83/38 20130101; B65D 83/42 20130101; B65B 31/003 20130101;
B65D 83/303 20130101; B65D 83/425 20130101; B01F 5/0644
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/94 ;
222/402.1; 222/136 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/48 20060101
B65D083/48; B65D 83/62 20060101 B65D083/62 |
Claims
1. A dome for an aerosol container, comprising at least one raised
pedestal having a flat top and a bottom and a dome cover, each
pedestal containing a centrally located orifice and a substantially
vertical side portion interrupted by a centrally directed
indentation for crimping with the dome cover, the dome cover
extending across the tops of the pedestals and having vertical
sides which extend downwardly from the top of the pedestals to the
bottom of the pedestals and are crimped to the sides of the
pedestals, the dome cover following a downward and outward path
from the bottom of the raised pedestals to end in an exterior
depression having an outside edge, from the outside edge of the
depression the dome cover rising vertically forming an exterior
wall, turning sharply outwardly forming a ledge, and curving
downwardly and inwardly forming a skirt.
2. The dome of claim 1 having two raised pedestals which are
connected to each other by a bridge.
3. A delivery system for viscous materials comprising a pressurized
aerosol container containing a dome according to claim 1, a
multi-valve body comprising at least two valves having internal
passageways, a single actuator which activates at least a first
valve and a second valve, a pressurizing gas, a first viscous
material, and a second viscous material separated from the first
viscous material.
4. A combination of a dome having an inner edge and a valve housing
for an aerosol container wherein the dome is made of metal and the
valve housing is made of plastic, the combination being prepared by
an overmolding process so that the inner edge of the dome is
embedded in the valve housing and the dome curves downwardly and
outwardly to end in an exterior depression having an outside edge,
from the outside edge of the depression the dome rises vertically
forming an exterior wall, turns sharply outwardly forming a ledge
and curves downwardly and inwardly forming a skirt, the dome being
of such a size as to be capable of covering the top opening of the
container.
5. A delivery system for viscous materials comprising a pressurized
aerosol container containing a combination of a dome and a valve
housing according to claim 4, a multi-valve body comprising at
least two valves having internal passageways, a single actuator
which activates at least a first valve and a second valve, a
pressurizing gas, a first viscous material, and a second viscous
material separated from the first viscous material.
6. A static mixing device for aerosol containers having a center
and multiple plunger outlets, comprising a first static mixing
component and a dispensing component, the first static mixing
component comprising multiple vertical inlet conduits which will
abut with the plunger outlets of the containers, multiple
horizontal conduits which extend forwardly and inwardly from the
vertical inlet conduits to meet at a common inlet opening, an oval
conduit which extends from the common inlet opening to a first
outlet which is partially occluded by a column, a circular conduit
containing multiple columns which extends from the first outlet
rearwardly to a single central conduit containing additional
columns, which central conduit extends forwardly to a central
outlet opening and the dispensing component comprising a central
inlet opening which extends vertically upwardly from the central
outlet opening of the static mixing component to a horizontal
outlet conduit which extends to an outlet orifice.
7. The static mixing device of claim 6, wherein the static mixing
component has three holes substantially equally spaced from the
center of the static mixing component and the dispensing component
has three hollow vertical pegs having lower ends substantially
equally spaced from the center of the dispensing component which
pegs fit into and through the corresponding holes of the static
mixing components such that when force is applied to the pegs, the
ends of the pegs are caused to display a mushroom effect which
secures the dispensing component to the mixing component.
8. The static mixing device of claim 7, further containing a second
static mixing component.
9. A combination of a pressurized aerosol container containing
materials which should be kept apart during storage but be mixed at
the time of dispensing and a static mixing device, which
pressurized aerosol container comprises multiple compartments for
storage of the materials to be dispensed, a conduit leading from
each compartment to a vertical inlet conduit of a static mixing
component of the static mixing device, the static mixing component
having a horizontal conduit leading from each vertical inlet
conduit to a common inlet opening wherein the materials are
combined, an oval conduit which extends from the common inlet
opening to a first outlet, a circular conduit extending from the
first outlet to a single central conduit which extends to a central
outlet opening, a central inlet opening of a dispensing component
of the static mixing device, extends from the central outlet
opening of the static mixing component to a vertical outlet
conduit, and a horizontal outlet conduit extending from the
vertical outlet conduit to an outlet orifice in the dispensing
component, wherein there are multiple columns in the conduits of
the static mixing component.
10. The combination of claim 9, wherein there is a second mixing
component.
11. The combination of claim 10, wherein the multiple compartments
in the aerosol container are collapsible bags of different
sizes.
12. The combination of claim 11, wherein each bag has been prepared
by a combination of injection molding to make the neck and blow
molding to make the bag body.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a division of Ser. No. 11/264,164, filed
Nov. 2, 2005, which is a C-I-P of my co-pending application, Ser.
No. 10/846,075, filed May 14, 2004, which is a C-I-P of Ser. No.
10/168,121, filed Jun. 17, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,288, each
of which is incorporated herein by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] (Not applicable)
REFERENCE TO SEQUENTIAL LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC
[0003] (Not applicable)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1) Field of the Invention
[0005] This invention relates to systems for dispensing more than
one viscous material from a pressurized aerosol container. The
viscous materials are kept separate from each other during storage
inside the container. Each viscous material is dispensed through a
separate valve. In use, a single actuator activates each of the
valves allowing the separate viscous materials to pass out of the
container and to be mixed together in a static mixing device.
Additionally, this invention relates to filling machines for
aerosol containers using filling heads for multi-valve aerosol
containers and aerosol containers having more than one valve. The
invention also encompasses static mixing devices and mounting cups
and domes for multi-valve containers.
[0006] 2) Description of the Related Art
[0007] Many viscous products are made up of two or more viscous
components which must be mixed, in given proportions, only at the
time of application. Mixing of the components prior to the time of
application will render many such products useless.
[0008] The prior art is aware of dispensing single viscous
materials such as resins, sealing compounds, dental compositions,
adhesives, paints, and the like from single aerosol containers.
Also commonly known are methods of dispensing two viscous materials
simultaneously from two separate tubes, cartridges, or aerosol
containers. In these systems, two separate containers are
necessary.
[0009] The prior art is also aware of dispensing two viscous
materials contained in two separate aerosol containers
shrink-wrapped together and equipped with a common valve actuator
that is large enough to span both containers and dispense the two
materials simultaneously into a common mixing tube. While this
permits the administration of the desired ratios of viscous
materials, the container is cumbersome and expensive.
[0010] Miczka, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,951, discloses a system for
dispensing viscous materials from a pressurized container. The
system comprises a container which is closed at the bottom by a
dome-shaped bulkhead and at the top by a funnel, through which
dispensing ports are fitted. Inner containers dispense their
viscous contents by the internal pressure of the loaded propellant.
A venting valve through the funnel controls the dispensing rate.
The funnel is made from a thin outer skin, secured to the container
by a crimped edge, with inner reinforcing walls to take up the
pressure distortion. This device contains two separate dispensing
valves with no mention of a mixing tube. The funnel is unique to
the container of the above patented device, and is not standard
equipment readily available in the art. The valves of this system
are separated from each other. Thus, the use of a single actuator
would be difficult. No actuator is mentioned by the patent.
[0011] The prior art is aware of aerosol containers which allow for
the dispensing of two non-viscous materials so that a mixture of
the two materials will be sprayed. Thus, U.S. Pat. No. 3,992,003 to
Visceglia et al, issued Nov. 16, 1976, discloses an aerosol
container holding an aerosol propellant and two collapsible bags
holding materials which may be sprayed. This disclosure does not
contemplate the dispensing of viscous materials and would be
unsuitable for this purpose as adequate mixing would not be
obtained.
[0012] Pressurized aerosol containers are well known in the art. A
conventional container contains a single valve and a single outlet
opening. Such containers may dispense a mixture of the product and
the propellant or may have the product and the propellant in
separate compartments within the container. In either case,
activation of the actuator by the user causes the propellant to
force the product out of the outlet opening. The filling and
pressurizing of such a container involves a possibility of various
steps. Conventionally, filling of a compartmentalized container is
performed as follows: one collapsible compartment is placed inside
the container and filled with the substance to be packaged and
dispensed, the container is sealed by crimping either the valve or
the flange carrying the valve, and a propellant medium is
introduced into the other compartment in the container by means of
a hole which is provided in the bottom of the container and sealed
by an impermeable rubber stopper through which a hollow needle is
passed in order to perform filling or pushing pressure against the
rubber stopper into the can and then self sealing.
[0013] In some instances, the container is first charged with the
propellant Filling the pre-charged container with the aerosol
product may be accomplished with an automatic system used in high
volume applications, which meters a pre-selected amount of product
into the container, or with a manual system. Regardless of which
system is used, usually depending upon volume, the apparatus
typically includes a container-holding means spaced below a
reservoir for holding the liquid product. A valve which is mounted
in the cup of the container is brought into engagement with a
reservoir outlet, and liquid flows from the reservoir through the
valve and a downwardly depending dip tube, and then into the
container/
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 3,995,666 to Michaels, issued Dec. 7, 1976,
discloses a method of pressurizing an aerosol container containing
a liquid product by providing a dispensing assembly loosely
positioned on the rim of the top of the container, evacuating the
air from the container, raising the dispensing assembly from the
rim, introducing a propellant gas under pressure into the
container, and attaching the dispensing assembly to the container.
The dispensing assembly is attached at a distance above the rim of
the top of the container which will cause the pressurizing gas to
enter the container at a velocity sufficient to cause intense
agitation of the liquid thereby substantially saturating the liquid
with the propellant gas in a very short time.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 4,015,757 to Meuresch et al, issued Apr. 5,
1977, discloses a valve for a pressurized dispenser which dispenser
includes a mounting cup, a valve housing, and an annular gasket
clamped between the cup and the housing for sealing a discharge
passage of a movable valve stem. A clearance space is provided in
the cup around the outer marginal portion of the gasket to
accommodate the marginal portion when the gasket is stretched
during the filling of the dispenser to provide a flow path to the
outside of the housing. Spacers are spaced apart around the
periphery of the gasket to define the distance between the cup and
the housing within which the gasket is clamped, and between which
the stretched gasket extends. This arrangement provides for rapid
charging of the container with the contents.
[0016] Stoody, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,383,399 issued May 17, 1983,
discloses a method of filling and pressurizing an aerosol
container. The method comprises introducing a dispensable fluid
product into the container, projecting an expansible sac having an
open end into the container through its fill-opening, overlapping
the open end of the sac upon the fill-opening, introducing a
pressurized fluid into the sac, disposing a valve mechanism into
the container to overlie the sac's open end, closing the sac and
fill-opening for sealing the dispensable fluid within the container
and for sealing the pressurized fluid within the sac, closing the
container, and extending a communicating means from the valve
mechanism through the sac to establish communication between the
valve mechanism and the fluid product for isolated passage of the
fluid product through the valve mechanism.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,452 issued May 20, 1986 to Clanet
discloses a method for filling an aerosol container provided with a
valve and comprising two compartments separated by a flexible or
mobile partition. The substance to be packaged is introduced into a
first compartment, this compartment is closed, and a propellant
fluid is introduced into the second compartment or produced
therein. At the heart of the patented invention is the fact that
most of the air in the first compartment is removed before
introduction of the substance to be packaged. The substance to be
packaged is introduced into the first compartment by means of a
metering device without coming into contact with the atmosphere
whereupon said first compartment is sealed;
[0018] In the method of pressurizing aerosol containers taught by
U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,794 issued Jan. 30, 1990 to Banks et al. the
method comprised the steps of providing a pouch having a
pressurization system for generating a gas to expand the pouch and
produce a predetermined pressure therein, the pouch further having
activation means for activating the pressurization system, the
activation means being itself activated by the application of a
partial vacuum to an outer side of the pouch; inserting the pouch
into the container, closing the container and generating at least a
partial vacuum in the container to activate the activation means
and expand the pouch under pressure from the gas.
[0019] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,724 issued to Ray on Jan 3, 1995, an
aerosol filling apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a
cylinder having a lower aerosol container valve-engaging portion
removably mounted to a part of the apparatus above an aerosol
container receiving position, a piston mounted in the apparatus,
and means to actuate the piston for movement within the cylinder to
force liquid within the cylinder through a valve of an aerosol
container mounted in the valve-engaging portion. The piston is
mounted for movement from a position outside and above the
cylinder. The cylinder has an upper open mouth having an inner
surface opening outwardly to provide an upper extremity of greater
diameter than that of the piston so as to provide a gradually
decreasing entry for the piston into the cylinder and to guide the
piston into the cylinder.
[0020] In the apparatus, the cylinder does not require a liner
since the piston engages directly with the cylinder wall and the
operator to fit the container and cylinder together and fill the
cylinder. The combination of the cylinder and container is then
slid into the apparatus and the piston is lowered into the cylinder
by means of a powered activator means to force the liquid contents
of the cylinder into the container.
[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,039 issued to Maier on Apr. 9, 1996
discloses a method for pressurizing an aerosol container. An
aerosol container is formed by inserting a flexible liner into the
container and holding the closure of the container away from the
mouth so than the space between the liner and the container can be
pressurized with a gas. The closure is then sealed to the container
to close the space and maintain the pressure of gas around the
liner which is evacuated to further collapse the liner, by applying
suction to a valve on the closure communicating with the interior
of the liner. The liner is then filled through the valve with the
substance to further pressurize the gas in the surrounding
space.
[0022] Humm et al. disclose in U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,113 issued Jul.
8, 1997, an aerosol container which has two valves. The first, top,
valve is used for distributing the contents and the second, bottom,
valve is used for filling the container both with liquid medium and
also with pressurized gas. The liquid component is charged first
and the pressurizing gas is introduced second. The filling valve
independent of the container distributing valve can be adapted to
the filling requirements, without simultaneously having to perform
another function. Filling through a single valve permits rapid
filling and a complication-free link with corresponding filling
members.
[0023] The filling valve is located on the container bottom. It is
appropriately constructed as a pressure valve, which is constructed
by mounting the container on a filling connection of a filling
device for the delivery of liquid medium and pressurized gas. The
upper distributing valve is appropriately undetachably connected to
the distributing container. The filling valve is centrally
positioned on the container bottom.
[0024] Hirz, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,841 issued Apr. 21, 1998,
discloses an aerosol container charging apparatus. In operating the
invention, the container to be filled is loaded into the apparatus
after being coupled with a pumping cylinder body by sliding the
body and container horizontally into a receiving zone formed by a
slot in a support plate that embraces the cylinder body and
restricts it against axial movement. The container is supported
with a surface that has a predetermined spacing from the cylinder
body support plate that accommodates a particular size of container
with adequate vertical clearance to ensure proper reception of the
container into the apparatus. At the same time, the container
support surface and cylinder body support plate assure that the
container and cylinder body remain coupled during the pump
operation when a piston is manually driven up and down in the pump
cylinder.
[0025] In the method of filling aerosol containers disclosed by
Fasse et al. in U.S. Pat. No.5,832,965 issued Nov. 11, 1998, the
filling apparatus for charging a pressurized aerosol container
utilizes a male injector filling device depending from the liquid
reservoir in conjunction with a female valve of the container. The
filling system uses a support means for the aerosol container,
including means for selectively positioning, or raising and
lowering, the support means between a container non-filling
position and a filling position; a liquid reservoir spaced above
the support means; and means for selectively drawing liquid from
the reservoir into the container when in a filling position. In
accordance with the patent, the improvement utilizes a filling
apparatus or filling injector comprising a substantially
cylindrical housing, which extends from the reservoir, and has an
open-ended, axial bore for liquid communication with the reservoir.
Valve control means includes a valve housing disposed in the axial
bore of the cylindrical housing, and the valve housing has a
central opening in liquid communication with the axial bore. A
hollow injector pin extends longitudinally from the valve housing
and is concentrically arranged with the opening of the valve
housing, and the injector pin terminates with at least one
aperture. Suitable means, such as a locking nut, retains the valve
control means in the axial bore of the cylindrical housing. The
valve control means is biased to a closed, no-filling position, and
establishes liquid communication between the reservoir and the
container when the container is in a filling position. The injector
pin is adapted to be received by the female valve when the
container is in a filling position. Thus, when the container is
brought to a filling position, the valve control means is opened so
that liquid will flow from the reservoir and through the axial bore
of the cylindrical housing, the valve control means the female
valve of the container, the dip tube depending downwardly from the
female valve, and into the container.
[0026] U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,171 issued to Blake on Sep. 4, 2001
discloses a method of filling an aerosol container which comprises:
crimping, in a sealed relation, and aerosol valve in the pedestal
portion of a mounting cup; clinching, in a sealed relation, the
mounting cup to the bead of an aerosol container thereby providing
a hermetically sealed aerosol container when the aerosol valve is
in the closed position; disposing on the valve stem an aerosol
actuator which is larger than 15 mm in diameter and which has a
means for sealing the actuator on the pedestal and which has
propellant filling passages through it; advancing a propellant
filling head toward the actuator and thereby sealing the filling
head on an outside surface of the actuator and sealing the actuator
against the pedestal portion of the mounting cup; and charging
propellant through the filling head.
[0027] The method of filling an aerosol container with a liquid to
be dispensed and a pressurizing gas taught by Runge et al, in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,332,482 issued Dec. 25. 2001 involves presenting an
open-topped aerosol container having closed bottom a piston;
deforming the upper end of the cylinder inwardly and flanging the
edge; filling the container below the piston with pressurized air
through a needle above the container; attaching a mounting cup and
valve: and filling the container above the piston with the liquid
to be dispensed.
[0028] As can be seen, a need exists for improvement in
simultaneous pressurized dispensing of multiple viscous materials
from a single container. The object of the present invention is to
provide improvements in this area. There is also a need for an
improved filling of multi-valved containers. This invention
addresses that problem. This invention also introduces mounting
cups which eliminate a crimping step and domes which are connected
to the actuators, thus eliminating the need for mounting cups.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The storage and dispensing system of the present invention
fits the presently standard one-inch (2.54 ) opening in the top of
common aerosol containers or it may fit into combiners in which a
novel dome covers the entire top of the container. The multi-value
dispensing system of the present invention allows different viscous
materials to be simultaneously dispensed in predetermined
proportions. As the separate materials are ejected from the
multi-valve container, they enter a standard mixing tube or a novel
static mixing device of this invention for blending so that the
final product is a mixed combination of the separate materials
contained in the container. For the purposes of describing and
claiming this invention, "viscous" will refer to that property
which causes the material to exit the container as a flow rather
than as a spray. Materials coming within this definition
demonstrate viscosities of 1-1,000,000 centipoises (cp), preferably
10-500,000 cp, and more preferably 100-250,000 cp.
[0030] A key feature of the present invention is a multi-valve
body. Each multi-valve body contains one or more inlet stems which
permit the attachment of different devices for storage of different
viscous materials. In one arrangement of the present system, one of
the inlet stems permits dispensing of the material without the
attachment of any devices. Another arrangement allows the viscous
material to pass to the valve through a dip tube. In a further
arrangement, the viscous material is contained in a collapsible bag
having an outlet which is attached directly to the valve inlet.
[0031] The multi-valve components are incorporated into a single
valve body. In the valve body are two or more standard
spring-loaded valve plungers that, when depressed, open valve ports
through which the pressurized viscous materials can flow from the
container. The size of the inlet openings of the plunger are varied
to obtain the desired rate of flow of the dispensed product. The
spring-loaded plungers are depressed by manual pressure applied
through the valve actuator that fits on top of the valve. The valve
plungers can be of the standard male, female, or tilt type commonly
used by the industry. Additionally, the present invention
contemplates the use of the inventor's omnidirectional check valve
which permits the flow of the viscous materials to the plungers
regardless of the position of the container.
[0032] A wide variety of storage and delivery methods is possible
in carrying out the present invention. Four possible combinations
for storage and delivery of multiple pressurized viscous materials
are described in detail in combination with the multi-valve of the
present invention. These are;
[0033] 1. A system using two or more collapsible bags;
[0034] 2. A system using a barrier liner and one or more
collapsible bags;
[0035] 3. A system using a dip tube and one or more collapsible
bags; and
[0036] 4. A system using a dip tube in combination with one or more
collapsible bags where an omnidirectional valve is attached to the
dip tube.
[0037] One important feature of the present invention is a static
mixing device which allows the dispensed fluids to be mixed outside
of the aerosol container where, they should be separated, but
before they are applied to a surface where they should be
combined.
[0038] In spite of the many diverse methods available to fill
dispensing containers, the conventional method remains inserting an
empty collapsible bag through a one-inch opening in the top of the
container, which bag is attached to the mounting cup; crimping the
mounting cup to the rim of the container surrounding the opening;
charging the bag of the closed container with the substance to be
dispensed; and then charging the container with an aerosol
pressurizing agent. This overall process takes multiple steps.
[0039] One object of this invention is to present a filling machine
which will fill the containers in such a way as to eliminate a
number of steps used in the conventional filling process.
[0040] The conventional dispensing valve, crimped to a mounting cup
having a sealing gasket, is normally mounted in a top opening of
the container, which opening is defined by a component commonly
referred to as the "head" of the container opening. The mounting
cup conventionally used includes a central pedestal portion for
crimping the dispensing valve, a profile portion extending
outwardly from the pedestal portion, which profile portion merges
into an upwardly extending body portion, the body portion merging
into a hemispherically shaped channel portion terminating in a
skirt portion, which channel is configured to receive the bead
portion of the container opening. The sealing gasket normally is
disposed within the channel portion and in many gasket
configurations extends downward along a part of the body
portion.
[0041] This conventional arrangement has its strengths and
weaknesses. One strength is that the mounting cups are uniform in
size in order to fit into the standard one-inch aperture in the top
of aerosol containers. Therefore large quantities of the same
mounting cup may be produced and may be used interchangeably
regardless of the contents of the container.
[0042] This strength becomes a weakness when multiple valves are
desired to be used. Multiple holes must be made in the mounting cup
and the closeness of the valves required by the limited area makes
it difficult to operate two or more valves in tandem. This strength
becomes a further weakness when it is realized that the small hole
of the container will not allow pre-expanded bags to be inserted
into the container. Thus, only empty bags which will be filled
later can be inserted into the container.
[0043] One object of this portion of the invention is to present a
mounting cup, valve housing, and gasket combination which allows
for a variety of sizes of the mounting cup so that multiple valves
can be used with ease.
[0044] Another object of this invention is to maintain the
excellent seal between the mounting cup and the valve housing while
eliminating the need to join these components through a crimping
operation. In the normal aerosol container, three crimp connections
are required. One is between the mounting cup and the pedestal of
the valve. One is between the valve mounting cup and the dome. A
third is between the dome and the top edge of the container. The
present invention eliminates the need for at least one of these
crimps.
[0045] Another object of the invention is to present an aerosol
container in which the dome and mounting cup are replaced by a dome
containing valve housings, which dome fits across the diameter of
the container and is crimped to the top of the container.
[0046] Another object of this invention is to present aerosol
containers having multiple valves. This allows multiple ingredients
to be packaged in a single container, which ingredients should be
kept separate until the time of use.
[0047] Another object of this invention is to present aerosol
dispensers which contain one-piece bags wherein the necks are made
by injection molding and the bodies are made by blow-molding. Dip
tubes may be used wherein the dip tubes are co-molded with the
valve bodies or may be independently extruded dip tubes which are
easily snapped onto the valve body. When two or more bags are used,
the ratios of the bag volumes can be varied to provide for the use
of products which should be applied in ratios other than 1:1.
[0048] Another object of this invention is to present a filling
machine which pressurizes the container, evacuates the bags, and
fills multiple flexible collapsible bags with the desired
ingredients, thus eliminating several steps of the conventional
process.
[0049] Another object of the present invention is to present a
static mixing device which fits on top of a container having
multiple valve outlets. The device has a low profile and results in
excellent mixing of the materials, whether they are gas, liquid, or
viscous materials.
[0050] Further objects will become apparent upon consultation of
the Figures and detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0051] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the multi-valve dispenser utilizing
two valves.
[0052] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a valve body confining two
valves.
[0053] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a valve body containing three
valves.
[0054] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a valve body containing four
valves,
[0055] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a valve body containing five
valves.
[0056] FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional front view of
a combination having a mounting cup and two female valves according
so this invention.
[0057] FIG. 7 is a front cross-sectional view of a combination
having a mounting cup and two male valves according to this
invention in combination with a conventional static mixing
device.
[0058] FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of a combination
having a mounting cup and two male valves according to this
invention in combination with a conventional static mixing
device.
[0059] FIG. 9 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional top view of a
combination having two male valves according to this invention.
[0060] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a bag used for storage of
materials in this invention showing the neck being offset from the
central axis.
[0061] FIG. 11 is a front cross-sectional view of a combination
having a mounting cup and two female valves according to this
invention in combination with a conventional static mixing
device.
[0062] FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of a combination
having a mounting cup and two female valves according to this
invention in combination with a conventional static mixing
device.
[0063] FIG. 13 is a front cross-sectional view of a combination
having a mounting cup and two male valves according to this
invention in combination with a conventional static mixing
device.
[0064] FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view of a combination
having a mounting cup and two male valves according to this
invention in combination with a conventional static mixing
device.
[0065] FIG. 15 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional front view
of a combination having a first mounting cup and two female valves
according to this invention.
[0066] FIG. 16 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional side view of
a combination having a first mounting cup and two female valves
according to this invention.
[0067] FIG. 17 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional from view of
a combination having a first mounting cup and two male valves
according to this invention.
[0068] FIG. 18 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional side view of
a combination having a first mounting cup and two male valves
according to this invention.
[0069] FIG. 19 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional front view
of a combination having a second mounting cup and two female valves
according to this invention.
[0070] FIG. 20 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional side view of
a combination having a second mounting cup and two female valves
according to this invention.
[0071] FIG. 21 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional front view
of a combination having a second mounting cup and two male valves
according to this invention.
[0072] FIG. 22 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional side view of
a combination having a second mounting cup and two male valves
according to this invention.
[0073] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional front view of a pressurized
aerosol container using the multi-valve dispensing system of this
invention in combination with a two-bag storage arrangement.
[0074] FIG. 24 is a cress-sectional front view of a pressurized
aerosol container using the multi-valve dispensing system of this
invention in combination with a single bag and barrier liner
storage arrangement.
[0075] FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional front view of an upright
pressurized aerosol container using the multi-valve dispensing
system of this invention in combination with a single bag and dip
tube arrangement. The dip tube reclaims material from the bottom of
the container.
[0076] FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional front view of an inverted
pressurized aerosol container using the multi-valve dispensing
system of this invention with a single bag and dip tube arrangement
in combination with an omnidirectional check valve.
[0077] FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional front view of a pressurized
container using the multi-valve dispensing system of this invention
with two bags, a dome of the present invention, and a static mixing
device of the present invention.
[0078] FIG. 28 is a top elevational perspective view of the
multi-valve dome of the present invention.
[0079] FIG. 29 is a bottom elevational perspective view of the
multi-valve dome of the present invention.
[0080] FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional side view of the dome of the
present invention.
[0081] FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional front view of the dome of the
present invention.
[0082] FIG. 32 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional view of the
section of the dome having a crimp.
[0083] FIG. 33 is a plan view of the dome.
[0084] FIG. 34 is a side cross-sectional view of the
omnidirectional valve of the present invention attached to the
multi-valve and to a dip tube.
[0085] FIG. 35 is a longitudinal cross sectional front view of the
head of the filling machine of the present invention in combination
with a container having two male valves wherein the filling head is
separated from the valves.
[0086] FIG. 36 is a longitudinal cross-sectional front view of the
head of the filling machine of the present invention in combination
with a container having two male valves wherein the filling head is
in contact with the valves.
[0087] FIG. 37 is an enlarged detailed longitudinal cross-sectional
front view of the head of the filling machine of the present
invention in combination with a container having two male valves
wherein the filling head is in contact with the valves.
[0088] FIG. 38 is a longitudinal cross-sectional front view of the
head of the filling machine of the present invention in combination
with a container having two female valves wherein the filling head
is separated from the valve.
[0089] FIG. 39 is a longitudinal cross-sectional front view of the
head of the filling machine of the present invention in combination
with a container having two female valves wherein the filling head
is in contact with the valves.
[0090] FIG. 40 is an enlarged detailed longitudinal cross-sectional
front view of the head of the filling machine of the present
invention in combination with a container having two female valves
wherein the filling head is in contact with the valves.
[0091] FIG. 41 is a front cross-sectional view of the filling
machine in combination with a container of the present invention
wherein the container is covered by a dome according to the present
invention wherein the filling head is separated from the
valves.
[0092] FIG. 42 is a front cross-sectional view of the filling
machine of this invention in combination with a container of this
invention which is enlarged to show details of fluid control
means.
[0093] FIG. 43 is a front cross-sectional view of a container of
the present invention in combination with a static mixing device of
the present invention.
[0094] FIG. 44 is a plan view of a first static mixing component of
the static mixing device of this invention.
[0095] FIG. 45 is a front elevation view of a first static mixing
component of the static mixing device of this invention.
[0096] FIG. 46 is a vertical cross-sectional side view, in detail,
of a portion of the first static mixing component of the static
mixing device of this invention.
[0097] FIG. 47 is a top elevational perspective view of a first
static mixing component of the static mixing device of the present
invention.
[0098] FIG. 48 is a top elevational perspective view of the
dispensing component of the static mixing device of the present
invention.
[0099] FIG. 49 is a vertical cross-sectional side view, in detail,
of a potion of the dispensing component of the static mixing device
of the present invention.
[0100] FIG. 50 is a plan view of the dispensing component of the
static mixing device of the present invention.
[0101] FIG. 51 is a front elevational view of the dispensing
component of the static mixing device of the present invention.
[0102] FIG. 52 is a vertical cross-sectional side view of the
dispensing component of the static mixing device of this
invention.
[0103] FIG. 53 is a top elevational perspective view of the second
mixing component of the static mixing device of the present
invention in stacked arrangement with the first mixing
component.
[0104] FIG. 54 is a front cross-sectional view of the dispensing
component of the static raising device of the present invention in
stacked arrangement with the first mixing component.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0105] The invention will now be described in detail with reference
to the above drawings. Like reference numerals refer to like parts
throughout the description.
[0106] The first storage and dispensing system 2 of this invention
is useful for the storing and dispensing of viscous materials which
should be kept separate until the time of application. For the
purposes of describing and claiming this invention, "viscous" will
refer to that property which causes the material to exit the
container as a flow rather than as a spray. Materials coming within
this definition demonstrate viscosities of 1-1,000,000 centipoises
(cp), preferably 10-500,000 cp, and more preferably 100-250,000 cp.
In general, "viscous" may most preferably be considered to be
descriptive of any flowable material having a viscosity of at least
10 cp. Examples of such materials are resins, sealing compounds,
dental compositions such as toothpastes, adhesives, paints, certain
cosmetic hair coloring, and other chemical components that need
mixing just prior to application.
Multi-valve Body
[0107] The multi-valve body of this invention will now be described
with reference to FIGS. 1-6, 8, and 11-22. FIGS. 1, 6, 8, and 11-22
show details of multi-valve bodies 4 utilizing typical male
spring-loaded valve plunger 6, and female spring-loaded valve
plungers 8. The multi-valve body 4 is of such a size and shape as
to fit into a conventional mounting cup 10 which, in turn, fits
into the standard one-inch (2.54 cm) top opening 12 in the
conventional dome 14 of the container 16. Alternatively, one of the
novel mounting cups 18, 20 or one of the novel domes 22, 24 of this
invention to be described in detail below may be used. Therefore
the multi-valve body 4 of this invention may be incorporated
cheaply and easily into already existing containers 16.
[0108] Each type of valve plunger 6, 8 is appropriate for different
applications of the multi-valve body 4. The various multi-valve
body 4 types can be used with a variety of different types and
arrangements of spring-loaded valve plungers 6, 8, conventional
static mixing devices 26, novel static mixing devices 28 of this
invention to be described below, and sealing caps 30. The common
feature of the conventional and novel static mixing devices is
that, they have a plurality of common passages for the viscous
materials after the viscous materials have been brought
together.
[0109] With reference to FIGS. 1, 6, 8, 11-22 and 34 the
multi-valve body 4 comprises a body constructed of suitable
thermoplastic resins or Nylon. As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the
multi-valve body 4 in plan view is circular in-shape and is formed
with two or more circular boles 32 to accept multiple spring-loaded
valve plungers 6, 8. The plungers 6, 8 extend upward through the
holes 32 in the multi-valve body 4 and into the bottom of the
static mixing device 26, 28.
[0110] Immediately below the opening 34 in the conventional
mounting cup 10, a rubber washer or seal 36 is fitted over the
plunger 6, 8. The seal 36 covers horizontal openings 38 which pass
horizontally through the wall 40 of the passageway 42 of the
plunger 6, 8. When the spring-loaded valve plunger 6, 8 is
depressed, the rubber seal 36 tilts slightly, thereby exposing the
horizontal openings 38 to allow viscous material to pass from the
container 16 so the passageway 42 of the plunger 6, 8 and into the
static mixing device 26, 28 or directly into the atmosphere.
[0111] The viscous material flows past the plunger 6, 8 by way of
vertical grooves 44 in the side of the multi-valve body 4 in which
the plunger 6, 8 fits. The viscous material is forced by the
pressurizing gas up from the container 16 through the valve inlet
openings 46 through the spring 48, and into the grooves 44.
[0112] The relative proportions of the viscous materials delivered
to the plunger 6, 8 is controlled by the relative size of the inlet
openings 46.
[0113] The plunger 6, 8 is formed of the thermoplastic resins,
Nylon, or other suitable material with independent passages 50, 52
through which viscous materials can flow without touching each
other or mixing until they exit the plunger 6, 8. The plunger 6, 8
is formed with force-fit or screw or a locking ring which receives
the static mixing device 26, 28 as it is pushed or screwed or
twist-locked into position. After the static mixing device 26, 28
is removed, a sealing cap 30 can be pushed or screwed or
twist-locked into position to seal the outlet openings 54.
[0114] The multi-valve body 4 is formed with a perimeter ledge 56
to retain the flap seal 58 and keep the seal 58 tight against the
bottom of the mounting cup 10, 18. The flap seal 58 is necessary to
seal pressurizing gas from escaping after it is injected through a
port hole 60 into the container 16.
[0115] FIGS. 1-5 show typical plan views of different multi-valve
bodies 4 utilizing the multiple spring-loaded valve plungers 6, 8
to deliver at least two viscous materials from the container 16 to
the static raising device 26, 28.
First Storing and Dispensing System
[0116] The first storage and dispensing system 2 of the invention
is shown in FIGS. 23-27, 41 and 43. This system 2 is made up of the
multi-valve body 4 and a conventional aerosol container 16 with a
conventional one-inch (2.54 cm) diameter top opening 12 in the
conventional dome 14. Alternatively, a dome 22 as described below
may be so sized as to cover the entire top of the container 16.
[0117] In the first storage and dispensing system 2 of this
invention, illustrated in FIGS. 23, 27, 41, and 43. the multi-valve
body 4 made up of a first valve 62 and a second valve 64 is secured
to a conventional mounting cup 10 by crimping and collapsible bags
66 for containing viscous materials are attached to the valve stems
68 of each valve 62, 64. In order for the bags 66 to pass through
the top opening 12, they are folded, coiled, or otherwise collapsed
to a small diameter. The entire assembly made up of the mounting
cup 10, multi-valve body 4, and bags 66 is inserted into the
container 16 through the top opening 12. The assembly is then
sealed and secured to the container 16 by crimping the dome 14
around the perimeter of the mounting cup 10. Alternatively, as will
be described below, the mounting cup/dome combination may be
replaced by a single dome.
[0118] The collapsible bags 66 are filled with viscous materials by
injecting the materials from the top through the corresponding
first 62 and second 64 valves. The pressurizing gas is either
injected through a port hole 60 in the mounting cup 10 perimeter or
in the bottom 70 of the container 16 or by the "undercup" method.
In the "undercup" method a pressurized sleeve fits over the top of
the container 16 to force pressurized gas into the container 16
prior to the final sealing of the mounting cup 10 to the dome 14
around the perimeter of the cup 10. Lastly, the plunger 6, 8 is
inserted onto the top of the multi-valve body 4.
[0119] A static mixing device 26, 28 is attached by the user to the
plunger 6, 8 prior to using the delivery system 2. The length and
design of the conventional static mixing device 26 is selected from
industry standards to provide adequate mixing of the viscous
materials. The static mining device 26, 28 is discarded after each
use. A sealing cap 30 is provided to seal the outlets 54 of the
plunger 6, 8 after the static mixing device 26, 28 has been
removed. The novel static mixing device 28 which is described below
may be used in place of the conventional static mixing device
26.
[0120] The multi-valve inlet openings 46 deliver the separate
viscous materials simultaneously from the collapsible bags 66 to
the plunger outlet openings 54. The inlet openings 46 in the
spring-loaded valve plungers 6, 8 are sized to deliver, when the
plunger 6, 8 is depressed, the proper amounts of each material to
the valve outlet openings 54. The viscous materials in the bags 66
are driven out by pressure from the pressurizing gas which
surrounds the bags 66. The flow of materials is cut off when the
plunger 6, 8 is released. Unmixed materials above the cut-off seal
36 at the plungers 6, 8 remain in the plunger 6, 8 but are
prevented from mixing with each other or from being affected by
contact with the atmosphere by the installation of the sealing cup
30.
[0121] The collapsible bags 66 are preferably constructed of
foil-reinforced polyethylene, Nylon, aluminum, or other suitable
material that will effectively contain the viscous materials but
which is still pliable enough to collapse under pressure, like a
toothpaste tube, when the corresponding valve 62, 64 is opened.
[0122] The storage and dispensing system 2 of this embodiment is
adaptable to be used with more than two viscous materials by simply
adding additional storage bags 66 in the container 16 and extra
valve plungers 6, 8 so the unitary multi-valve body 4 as shown in
FIGS. 3-5.
[0123] The system 2 of this embodiment is most appropriate for
products where the viscous material components are equal, or nearly
equal, in quantity.
Second Storage and Dispensing System
[0124] The second storage and dispensing system 72 of the invention
shown in FIG. 24 is made up of a standard aerosol container 16 with
either a standard dome 14 having a standard one-inch (2.54 cm)
diameter top opening 12 or the novel dome 22 covering the entire
top of the container 16 and a pre-installed industry-standard
barrier liner 74. When a conventional mounting cup 10 is used, the
multi-valve body 4 is secured to a mounting cup 10 by crimping and
a bag 66 is attached to the valve stem 68. In order for the bag 66
to puss through the top opening 12, it is folded, coiled, or
otherwise collapsed to a small diameter. The mounting cup 10 which
holds the multi-valve body 4 and bag 66 is mounted onto the top
opening 12 of the dome 8 of the container 16 which contains a
pre-installed barrier liner 74. The mounting cup 10 is then secured
to the container 16 by crimping to the dome 14 around the perimeter
of the mounting cup 10.
[0125] After the cup 10 is installed and sealed by crimping, the
barrier liner 14, in effect, forms a larger bag which completely
encloses the smaller collapsible bag 66. The collapsible bag 66 and
the barrier liner 74 are both filled by injecting the viscous
materials from the top through the corresponding first 62 and
second 64 valves. The pressurizing gas is injected through a port
hole 60 in the bottom 70 of the container 16 or by the "undercup"
method. Finally, the plunger 6, 8 is inserted onto the top of the
multi-valve body 4.
[0126] As described with reference to the first storage, and
dispensing system 2, a static mixing device 26, 28 is attached by
the user to the plunger 6, 8 prior to using the delivery system 72.
A sealing cap 30 is provided to seal the outlet openings 54 of the
plunger 6, 8 after the static mixing device 26, 28 is removed.
[0127] The multi-valve body 4 of the second storage and dispensing
system 72 delivers two or more viscous materials simultaneously
from the collapsible bag 66 and from within the barrier liner 74.
The multi-valve inlet openings 46 in the valve body 4 are sized to
deliver, when the plunger 6, 8 is depressed, the proper proportions
of each material to the valve plungers 6, 8. The viscous materials
in the bag 66 and within the barrier liner 74 are driven out of the
container 16 by pressure from the pressurizing gas which surrounds
them. The flow of viscous materials is stopped when the plungers 6,
8 ere released. Unmixed materials above the cut-off seal 36 of the
plungers 6, 8 remain in the plunger 6, 8, but are prevented from
mixing with each other or from being affected by contact with the
atmosphere by the installation of the cap 30.
[0128] The collapsible bag 66 is preferably constructed of
foil-reinforced polyethylene. Nylon, aluminum, or other suitable
material that will effectively contain the viscous material but
which is still pliable enough to collapse under pressure, like a
toothpaste tube, when the valve 64 is opened.
[0129] The second storage and dispensing system 72 of the invention
is adaptable to be used with more than two viscous materials by
simply adding additional collapsible bags 66 inside the barrier
liner 74 and additional valve plungers 6, 8 to the multi-valve body
4, as shown in FIGS. 2-5.
[0130] The second storage and dispensing system 72 appropriate for
products where two or more viscous material components, such as
epoxy resin and its catalyst(s), are mixed in significantly unequal
proportions. The smaller amount of the viscous material is stored
in the interior collapsible bag(s) 66. The larger amount of viscous
material is stored in the space bounded by the barrier lifter
74,
Third, Storage and Dispensing, System
[0131] The third storage and dispensing system 76 of the invention
as shown in FIG. 25 is made up of a standard aerosol container 16
having a standard one-inch (2.54 cm ) diameter top opening 12. The
multi-valve body 4 is secured to a mounting cup 10 by crimping, and
a collapsible bag 66 and an industry-standard dip tube 78 are
attached to the first 62 and second 64 valve sterns 68. The dip
tube 78 may be made by co-molding the dip tube 78 and valve body 4.
Alternatively, the container may have the novel dome 22 of this
invention and avoid the use of the mounting cup. When, the mounting
cup 10, 18 is used, the collapsible bag 66 is folded, coiled, or
otherwise collapsed to a small diameter in order to allow it to
pass through the top opening 12. The mounting cup 10, holding the
multi-valve body 4, collapsible bag 66, and dip tube 78 is mounted
onto the dome 14, 22 of the container 16. The assembly is then
scaled and secured to the container 16 by crimping around the
perimeter of the cup 10, 18.
[0132] The collapsible bag 66 and the space surrounding the dip
tube 78 are then filled by injecting the viscous materials through
the corresponding valves 62, 64 in the multi-valve body 4. The
pressurizing gas is injected through the port hole 60 in the
perimeter of the cup 10 or in the bottom 70 of the container 16 or
by the "undercup" method. Lastly, the actuator 79 is mounted on the
plungers 6, 8 on the top of the multi-valve body 4.
[0133] A static mixing device 26, 28 is attached by the user to the
actuator 79 or the plungers 6, 8 prior to using the delivery system
76. When a conventional static mixing device 26 is used, the length
and design of the static mixing device 26 is selected from industry
standards to provide adequate mixing of the viscous materials. The
static mixing device 26 is discarded after each use. Alternatively,
the novel static mixing device 28 of this invention as described
below may be attached to the plunger 6, 8. A sealing cap 30 is
provided to seal the outlet passageway 54 of the plunger 6, 8 after
the static mixing device 26, 28 has been removed.
[0134] The multi-valve inlet openings 46 deliver two or more
viscous materials simultaneously from the collapsible bag 66 and
dip tube 78 which reaches from the bottom 70 of the container 16 to
the multi-valve stems 68.
[0135] The multi-valve inlet openings 46 in the valve bodies 4 are
sized to deliver, when the actuator 79 is depressed, the proper
proportions of each material to valve plungers 6, 8. The viscous
materials in the bag 66 and at the bottom 70 of the container 16
are driven out of the container 16 by pressure from the
pressurizing gas which acts upon them. The flow of viscous
materials is stopped when the actuator 79 is released. Unmixed
materials above the cut-off seal 36 of the plungers 6, 8 remain in
the plunger 6, 8, but are prevented from mixing with each other or
from being affected by contact with the atmosphere by the
installation of the cap sealing 30.
[0136] The collapsible bag 66 is preferably constructed of
foil-reinforced polyethylene, Nylon, aluminum, or other suitable
material that will effectively contain the viscous materials but
which is still pliable enough to collapse under pressure, like a
toothpaste tube, when the associated valve 62 is opened.
[0137] The third storage and dispensing system 76 of this invention
is adaptable to be used with more than two viscous materials by
simply adding additional storage bags 66 in the container 16 and
extra valve plungers 6, 8 to the multi-valve body 4, is shown in
FIGS. 2-5.
[0138] The third storage and dispensing system 76 of this invention
is most appropriate for products like spotter paint where a thinner
viscous material needs to be mixed with one or more thicker, but
smaller quantity, viscous material as it is delivered.
Fourth Storage and Dispensing System
[0139] The fourth storage and dispensing system 8(c) of the
invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 23-27, 41,
and 43. The fourth storage and dispensing system 80 is made up of a
standard aerosol container 16 with a standard one-inch (2.54 cm)
diameter top opening 12. In this embodiment, a bag 66 is attached
to one valve inlet opening 46 of the multi-valve body 4 and an
omnidirectional valve and dip tube 78 is attached to the other
valve inlet opening 46. If the valve(s) incorporated in the
multi-valve body 4 are female valves, the standard omnidirectional
valve is appropriately replaced with the inventor's omnidirectional
valve 82 described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,288. The multi-valve body
4 is secured to a cup 10, 18, 20 by crimping and a collapsible bag
66 and dip tube 78 are attached to the multi-valve body 4. In order
for the collapsible bag 66 to pass through the top opening 12, it
is folded, coiled, or otherwise collapsed to a small diameter. The
mounting cup 10, 18, 20, holding the multi-valve body 4 which is
attached to the collapsible bag 66 and dip tube 78, is mounted onto
the top opening 12 of the container 16. The mounting cup 10, 18, 20
is then secured to the container 16 by crimping around the outside
perimeter of the cup 10. A combination of a mounting cup 10, 18, 20
and dome 14 may be replaced by a novel dome 22, 24 of the present
invention. The dome 22, 24 may be sealed to the container 16 and
the bags 66 may be pre-inflated.
[0140] The collapsible bag 66 and the space surrounding the dip
tube 78 are then filled by injecting the viscous materials through
the top opening 12 through the corresponding valves 62, 64 and the
pressurizing gas is injected through the port hole 60 in the
perimeter of the cup 10 or in the bottom 70 of the container 16 or
by the "undercup" method.
[0141] When the container 16 is inverted as shown in FIG. 26, the
multi-valve body 4 delivers viscous materials simultaneously from
the collapsible bag 66 and the omnidirectional valve 82 which is
now submerged in viscous material. The viscous fluid in the
omnidirectional valve 82 prevents pressurizing gas from entering
the omnidirectional valve 82 when the container 16 is inverted so
that pressurizing gas cannot escape through the dip tube 78.
[0142] The relative size of the central inlet orifices 46 of the
multi-valve body 4 is sized to deliver the proper proportions of
the viscous material to the valve plunger 6, 8. The viscous
material in the bag 66 and in the container 16 is driven out by
pressure from the pressurizing gas which acts upon them. The flow
of materials is cut off when the actuator 79 is released.
[0143] The collapsible bag 66 is preferably constructed of
foil-reinforced polyethylene, Nylon, aluminum, or other suitable
material that will effectively contain the viscous materials but
which is still pliable enough to collapse under pressure, like a
toothpaste tube, when the first valve 62 in the multi-valve body 4
is opened.
[0144] The fourth storage and dispensing system 80 of this
invention is adaptable to be used with more than two viscous
materials by simply adding additional collapsible bags 66 to the
container 16 and a comparable number of additional valves 62 to the
multi-valve body 4.
[0145] The fourth storage and dispensing system 80 of the invention
is appropriate for products where the aerosol container 16 must be
operable from either the normal or inverted position and a thinner
viscous material needs to be mixed with a thicker, but smaller
quantity, of viscous material as it is delivered.
First Combination of Mounting Cup and Valve Housing
[0146] The novel combined mounting cup 10, 18, 20 and valve housing
81 assembly 83 to be used in the dispensing containers 16 will now
be described with reference to FIGS. 11-22. A First novel mounting
cup 18 of this invention is shown in FIGS. 15-22. This mounting cup
18 can be used in the mounting cup/valve housing assembly 85 to be
described. The assembly 83 is intended for use with a sealed
container 16. The assembly 83 comprises a conventional dome 14,
mounting cup 10, 18, a valve housing 81, a multi-valve body 4,
associated bags 66 or dip tubes 78 and an outer gasket (flap seal)
58 between the valve housing 81 and the mounting cup 10, 18.
[0147] As shown in FIGS. 11, 12, 15, 16, 19, and 20 for use with a
female valve plunger 8, the valve housing 81 of this invention
comprises a top surface 84, a bottom surface 86, an inner surface
88, and an outer surface 90.
[0148] The top 84 and bottom 86 surfaces are straight.
[0149] When the valve housing 81 is to be used with a female
plunger 8, the inner surface 88 contains a lower section 92 and an
upper section 94 with a right-angle shoulder 96 at the junction of
these two sections 92, 94. The upper section 94 extends further
inward than does the lower section 92. The shoulder 96 is separated
from the plunger 6 by means of a washer or seal 36. The lower
section 92 contains an annular notch 98 or protrusion 100 which
mates with a corresponding annular protrusion 100 or notch 98
present in the multi-valve body 4 for maintaining the valve housing
81 and the multi-valve body 4 in contact. The upper section 94 has
a straight surface.
[0150] The outer surface 90 contains a lower section 102 and an
upper section 104 with a perimeter ledge 56 at the junction of
these two sections 102, 104. The upper section 104 extends further
inward than does the lower section 102. The perimeter ledge 56
serves as a support for the outer flap seal 58, which separates the
perimeter ledge 56 from the profile portion 106 of the mounting cup
10, 18. The lower section 102 has a straight outer surface. The
upper section 104 contains an annular protrusion 108 spaced above
the perimeter ledge 56, which protrusion 108 contains a lower
surface 110 and an upper surface 112 meeting at an apex 114. The
lower surface 110 of the protrusion 108 is perpendicular to the
outer surface 90 and the upper surface 112 of the protrusion 108
slants upwardly and inwardly from the apex 114 to meet with the
outer surface 90.
[0151] As shown in FIGS. 13, 14, 17, 18, 21, and 22 for use with a
male valve plunger 6, the valve housing 81 of this invention is the
same as that for use with a female plunger 8 except that the
shoulder 116 on the inner surface 88 slants downwardly and
outwardly instead of being a right-angled shoulder. This slanted
shoulder 116 abuts with the top surface 118 of the plunger 6 inside
the housing 81.
First Mounting Cup
[0152] The first mounting cup of this invention will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 31-18. According to the present
invention, the central pedestal portion 120 of the conventional
mounting cup is not employed. Thus, the first mounting cup 18 of
the present invention includes a profile portion 106 extending
outwardly from the valve housing 81, which profile portion 106
merges into an upwardly extending body portion 122, the body
portion 122 merging into a hemispherically-shaped channel portion
124 terminating in a skirt portion 126, which channel portion 124
is configured to receive the bead portion 128 of the opening 12 of
the conventional dome 14.
[0153] As noted above, the conventional mounting cup 10 includes a
central pedestal portion 120 for crimping the dispensing valve 62,
64, a profile portion 106, which lacks a terminal, extending
outwardly from the pedestal portion 120, which profile portion 106
merges into an upwardly extending body portion 122, the body
portion 122 merging into a hemispherically-shaped channel portion
124 terminating in a skirt portion 126, which channel 124 is
configured to receive the bead portion 128 of a conventional dome
14.
[0154] The first mounting cup 18 of the present invention does not
contain a central pedestal portion. The mounting cup 18 has at
least one inward terminal 130. Beginning at the inward terminal
130, a section 132 of the profile portion 106 contains a slight
downward and outward slant between the inward terminal 130 and the
flat section 134 of the profile portion 106 which extends
outwardly. The profile portion 106 extends outwardly and curves
upwardly to merge with the body portion 122 of the mounting cup 18.
The body portion 122 extends upwardly to merge with a
hemispherically-shaped channel portion 124 at the top edge 136 of
the mounting cup 18. The channel portion 124 continues around to
terminate in a downwardly directed skirt portion 126.
[0155] The annular flap seal 58 is held by the perimeter ledge 56
On the outer surface 90 of the valve housing 81. The flap seal 58
is made of compressible, resilient material which is resistant to
deterioration by chemicals. Preferred materials are SBR, EPDM,
Nylon, Teflon, and polypropylene. Each of these materials is well
known in the aerosol gasket art.
[0156] The slight upward bend in the profile portion 106 of the
mounting cup 18 coupled with the resilient property of the flap
seal 58 forces the mounting cup 18 against the annular protrusion
108 on the outer surface 90 of the valve housing 81 and keeps the
mounting cup 18 in place. The mounting cup 18 may be made in sizes
of the standard one-inch diameter to fit the standard one-inch
aperture 12 of conventional aerosol containers 16 or it may take
the form of a dome 22 and cover the entire opening of a dispensing
container 16 as is preferred in the present invention.
Second Mounting Cup
[0157] The second novel mounting cup 20 of this invention will now
be discussed with reference to FIGS. 19-22.
[0158] With reference to FIGS. 19-22, a second mounting cup 20 of
the present invention is preferably used in combination with a
female 8 or male 6 plunger, a multi-valve body 4, and a valve
housing 81. The specific improvement presented by this embodiment
of the invention over the prior art is an improved combination of a
valve housing 81 and a mounting cup 20 which does not require a
separate gasket.
[0159] For use with a female valve plunger 8, shown in FIGS. 19 and
20, the valve housing 81 of this embodiment of the invention
comprises a top surface 84, a bottom surface 86, an inner surface
88, and an outer surface 90.
[0160] The top 84 and bottom 86 surfaces are straight.
[0161] As in the first novel mounting cup 18, the inner surface 88
of the valve housing 81 contains a lower section 92 and an upper
section 94 with a right-angle shoulder 96 at the junction of these
two sections 92, 94. The upper section 94 extends further inward
than does the lower section 92. The shoulder 96 is separated from
the plunger 8 by means of a washer or seal 36. The lower section 92
contains an annular notch 98 or protrusion 100 which mates with a
corresponding annular protrusion 100 or notch 98 present in the
multi-valve body 4 for maintaining the valve housing 81 and the
multi-valve body 4 in contact. The upper section 94 has a straight
surface.
[0162] In this embodiment, the outer surface 90 contains a lower
section 102 and an upper section 104 with a right-angle perimeter
ledge 56 at the junction of these two sections 102, 104. The upper
section 104 extends further inward than does the lower section 102.
The perimeter ledge 56 serves as a support for the profile portion
106 of the mounting cup 20. The lower section 102 has a straight
outer surface 90. The upper section 104 contains an annular
protrusion 108 spaced above the perimeter ledge 56, which
protrusion 108 contains a lower surface 110 and an upper surface
112 meeting at an apex 114. The lower surface 110 of the protrusion
108 is perpendicular to the outer surface 90 and the upper surface
112 of the protrusion 108 slants upwardly and inwardly from the
apex 114 to meet with the outer surface 90.
[0163] With reference to FIGS. 21 and 22, when the valve housing 81
of this embodiment is used with a male valve plunger 6, the valve
housing 81 of this embodiment of the invention is the same as that
for use with a female plunger 8 except that the shoulder 96 on the
inner surface 88 slants downwardly and outwardly instead of being a
right-angled shoulder. This slanted shoulder 96 abuts with the top
surface 118 of the plunger 6 inside the housing 81.
[0164] The second novel mounting cup 20 of this invention is
essentially the same in appearance as that of the First novel
mounting cup and does not contain a conventional central pedestal
portion. The mounting cup 20 has an inward terminal 130. Beginning
at the inward terminal 130, a section 132 of the profile portion
106 contains a slight downward and outward slam between the inward
terminal 130 and the flat section 134 of the profile portion 106
which extends outwardly. The profile portion 106 extends outwardly
and curves upwardly to merge with the body portion 122 of the
mounting cup 20. The body portion 122 extends upwardly to merge
with a hemispherically-shaped channel portion 124 at the top edge
136 of the mounting cup 20. The channel portion 124 continues
around to terminate in a downwardly directed skirt portion 126.
[0165] The second novel mounting cup 20 of this invention is
encased in a film 138 which performs the function of a gasket. The
film 138 is made of compressible plastic such as Nylon or
polypropylene.
[0166] According to the present invention, the mounting cup 10, 18,
20 may be of such a size as to fit into the conventional one-inch
aperture 12 in the dome 14 of the container 16 as shown in FIGS.
11-26.
[0167] In any of the embodiments, the combination of the mounting
cup 10, 18, 20, multi-valve body 4, valve housing 81, and the bags
66 (or bag 66 and dip tube 78) may be pre-assembled prior to
insertion into the container 16 as a single unit.
[0168] In assembling the novel mounting cup 18, 20 and the valve
housing 81, crimping is not necessary. The inward terminal 130 of
the mounting cup 18, 20 simply clicks into place. Accordingly, in
either situation, the valve housing 81 may partially enclose the
multi-valve body 4 and a dip tube 78 may easily snap-fit with the
appropriate valve inlet opening 46 of the multi-valve body 4. Thus,
it may be seen that when the mounting cup 18, 20 is used in the
standard one-inch hole 12 of a dome 14 the use of this invention
allows a multi-valve body 4 in a single container 16, allows the
elimination of the crimping process, and allows for the elimination
of a gasket. The multi-valve body 4 may carry pre-expanded bags 66
or a pre-expanded bag 66 and a dip tube 78.
First Dome
[0169] A first new multi-pedestal dome 22 is part of the present
invention. This dome 22 is shown in FIGS. 27-33. The dome 22
features at least one, preferably two, raised pedestals 140 which
are connected to each other by a raised bridge 142. Each pedestal
140 contains a centrally located orifice 144 for receiving a valve
plunger 6, 8. The tops 146 of the raised pedestals 140 are flat.
The raised pedestals 140 have substantially vertical side portions
148 interrupted by a centrally directed indentation 150 for
crimping with the dome cover 152. The pedestals 140 are tightly
covered by a dome cover 152, the top 154 of which extends across
trips 146 of the pedestals 140 and the bridge 142. The vertical
sides 156 of the dome cover 152 extend downwardly from the top 146
and are crimped to the sides 148 of the pedestals 140. From the
bottom 158 of the raised pedestals 140, the dome cover 152 follow a
downward and outward patio to end in an exterior depression 160.
From the outside edge of the depression 160, the dome cover 152
rises vertically forming an exterior wall 162, turns sharply
outwardly forming a ledge 164, and curves downwardly and inwardly
forming a skirt 166. The dome cover 152 is of such a size as to be
capable of covering the top opening of the container 16. The skirt
166 is crimped to the bead 168 of the container 16. Using this
double-crimp dome 22, the need for a mounting cup is avoided and
the bags 66 for the viscous materials can be pre-inflated prior to
being placed into the container 16 as the bap 66 no longer have to
pass through a one-inch hole for a mounting cup.
Second Dome
[0170] A second new dome 24 is shown in FIGS. 41-43. In the second
new dome 24 of this invention, the dome 24 is made of metal and the
valve housing 81 is made of plastic. The combination of the dome 24
and the valve housing 81 is prepared by an overmolding process so
that the inner edge of the dome 24 is embedded in the valve housing
81 and the dome 24 curves downwardly and outwardly to end in an
exterior depression 160. The process of overmolding is well known,
and is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,183,627 granted to Leason on Sep.
12, 1978. From the outside edge of the depression 160, the dome 24
rises vertically forming an exterior wall 162, turns sharply
outwardly forming a ledge 164 and curves downwardly and inwardly
forming a skirt 166. The dome 24 is of such a size as to be capable
of covering the top opening 148 of the container 16. The skirt 166
is cramped in the bead 168 of the container 16. Using this
overmolded dome 24, the need for a mounting cup is avoided and the
bags 66 for the viscous materials can be pre-inflated prior to
being placed into the container 16 as the bags 66 no longer have to
pass through a one-inch hole for a mounting cup.
First Pre-assembly
[0171] In preparing the one-piece assembly made up of the dome 22,
24, the valve housing 81, the multi-valve body 4 and the bag(s) 66,
the bags 66 are prepared in such a way that the necks 170 of the
bags 66 are injection molded in a die and the bodies 172 of the
bags 66 are blow-molded and the necks 170 of bags 66 are attached
to the valve stems 68 of the multi-valve body 4. Preferably, the
neck 170 of a bag 66 is offset from the central axis of the bag 66.
The springs 48 are then inserted onto the valve body 4. A washer or
seal 36 is then placed onto the top part of a female valve 8, if
used and the valve housing 81 is applied. The first new dome 22 may
be combined by crimping. This process results in a combination of
the dome 24, the valve housing 81, the multi-valve body 4, and the
bag(s) 66. The resulting combination is referred to as the first
pre-assembly 174. The bags 66 are then pre-inflated and the
resulting unit is inserted into the open container 16 and the skin
166 of the dome 24 is mechanically sealed to the bead 168 of the
container 16 by rolling.
Second Pre-assembly
[0172] A second pre-assembly 176 will now be described. The second
novel dome 24 of the present invention is prepared by overmolding
the plastic valve housing 81 and the metal portion of the dome 24.
The process of overmolding is known in the art. In this method, a
single piece of thermoplastic material is presented, a portion of
the thermoplastic material is injection molded to form a bag neck
170 and the remainder of the piece is blow molded to form a bag
body 172. The necks 170 of the bags 66 which are injection molded
in a die, the bodies 172 of the bap 66 which are blow-molded and
the compression springs 48 are inserted onto the valve body 4. A
washer or seal 36 is placed onto the top part of a female valve 8,
if used. The bags 66 are attached to the valve stems 68 of the
valve body 4 and the valve housing 81 Is applied along with the
remainder of the second new dome 24. This process results in a
combination of the dome 24, the valve housing 81, the multi-valve
body 4, and the bag(s) 66. The resulting combination is referred to
as the second pre-assembly 176. The bags 66 are then pre-inflated
and the resulting unit is inserted into the open container 16 and
the skirt 166 of the dome 24 is mechanically sealed to the bead 168
of the container 16 by rolling.
Second Combination of Mounting Cup and Valve Housing
[0173] An additional embodiment of the present invention may use
any of the combinations of bags 66 and dip tubes 78 as set forth in
the above description. It will be recalled that in accordance with
the above description, the bags 66 and dip tubes 78 could be
attached to the valve body 4. The valve body 4 was combined with
the valve housing 81 and the mounting cup 10, 18, 20. The mounting
cup 10, 18, 20 was then fitted onto the 1-inch hole 12 in the
conventional dome 14. In the embodiment to be described, there is a
one-piece assembly made up of the novel dome 24, the valve housing
81, the multi-valve body 4 and the bag(s) 66. The dome 24 fits
across the entire top opening of the container 16. There is no
mounting cup. With the use of this unique combination, an
additional crimping step is eliminated and expanded bags 66 are
capable of being installed into the container 16. According to this
embodiment of the invention, the above assembly is presented as a
single unit and allows pre-inflated bags 66 to be inserted into the
container 16. This is not possible with the other embodiments or
with prior art assemblies.
[0174] In preparing the one-piece assembly made up of the dome 24,
the valve housing 81, the multi-valve body 4 and the bag(s) 66, the
bags 66 are prepared in such a way that the necks 170 of the bags
66 are injection molded in a die and the bodies 172 of the bags 66
are blow-molded. The plastic valve housing 81 is overmolded onto
the metal dome 24. The compression spring 48 is then inserted onto
the valve body 4, and the neck(s) 170 of the bag(s) 66 is (are)
attached to the valve stems 68 of the multi-valve body 4. This
process results in a combination of the dome 24, the valve housing
81, the multi-valve body 4, and the bag(s) 66. The bags 66 may be
pre-inflated and the valve assembly may be inserted into the
container 16 and the dome 24 may be sealed to the bead of the
container 16 by rolling.
Omnidirectional Valve
[0175] It has been determined that in the spraying of paint
adhesives, and undercoatings from pressurized aerosol containers,
the use of a male valve is inappropriate as male valves demonstrate
a tendency to clog or plug, thereby rendering the aerosol container
inoperative. The use of female valves for polymers has been limited
to containers which are held upright. Such valves are less than
ideal for the task of connecting plastic pipe, for instance, as
this task requires the aerosol container to be usable in the
inverted position in tight quarters. In the inventor's earlier
application, Ser. No. 10/168,121, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,288,
incorporated herein by reference there is disclosed an
omnidirectional check valve 82 as is shown in FIG. 34 of the
present disclosure suitable for spraying viscous materials.
Pilling Machine
[0176] The line filling machine 180 of this invention will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 35-42.
[0177] The containers 16 to be filled are placed on conventional
assembly lines and are transferred to and away from the filling
machine 180 of this invention in ways which are conventional in the
art.
[0178] The filling machines 180 are joined to flexible conduits 182
which carry the materials to be dispensed and mixed from storage
compartments (not shown) to conduits 184 within the filling head
186. The conduits 184 pass through either male 188 or female 190
lower filling stems. The conduits 184 within the filling beads 186
are thus separated by a center section 192. The filling beads 186
pass through collars 194. The collars 194 contain slanted lower
edges 196 which contact the top edge 136 of a mounting cup 10, 18,
20. As an alternative, the slanted lower edges 196 may be so sized
and shaped as to contact a dome 14, 22, 24. The purpose of the
slanted edges 196 of the collars 194 is to apply a downward holding
pressure to the container 16. The filling heads 186 have an
overhang 198 above the upper edge 200 of the collar 194. Between
the overhang 198 of the filling head 186 and the collar 194, there
is a spring 202 which biases the collar 194 downwardly so as to put
holding pressure on the containers 16.
[0179] The lower end 204 of the fill trig head 186 carries either a
male 206 or female 208 filling stem For connecting with the top
surface 118 of the female 8 or male 6 plunger, respectively,
[0180] There is preferably an additional flexible conduit 210
entering the filling head 186. This flexible conduit 210 carries
the pressurizing fluid. Upon entering the filling head 186 the
flexible conduit 210 connects with a conduit 212 which passes
downwardly through the center section 192 and opens at or near the
lower end 202 of the center section 192. This conduit 212 will abut
with a valved inlet opening 214 in the mounting cup 10, 18, 20.
Thus, the pressurizing fluid can pass into the container 16, but
not in the reverse direction.
[0181] The drawings depict filling heads 186 to be used for
containers 16 having two valves 62, 64. It is to be understood that
filling heads 186 coming within the scope of this invention may be
used to fill containers 16 having any reasonable number of
valves.
Filling the Containers
[0182] The slanted lower edge 196 of the collar 194 of the filling
head 186 is brought in contact with the top edge 136 of the
mounting cup 10, 18, 20 or dome 14, 22, 24 such that the outlet
openings 216 of the conduits 184 within the lower filling stems
206, 208 of the filling head 186 are aligned with the appropriate
valved inlet openings 214 in the mounting cup 10, 18, 20 and the
conduit 212 for the pressurizing fluid is above the pressurizing
conduit 218 of the container 16. The filling head 186 is brought
downwardly so that the openings 216 of the lower filling stems 206,
208 of the filling head 186 connect in an air-tight manner with the
inlet openings 214 of the valves 62, 64 of the container 16 and the
conduit 212 for the pressurizing fluid is in contact with the
pressurizing conduit 218 of the container 16.
[0183] Preferably, the containers 16 are pre-pressurized before
coming to the filling head 186. Alternatively, the containers 16
are pressurized with the pressurizing fluid coming from the conduit
212 for the pressurizing fluid and entering the container 16
through the pressurizing conduit 218 of the container 16. Less
preferably, the containers 16 may be pressurized in more
conventional ways.
[0184] The air used for pre-expanding the bags 66 is then evacuated
from the bags 66 by pressure of the female 208 or male 206 filling
stems of the filling head 186 on the container's 16 male 6 or
female 8 plungers, respectively. This tends to lower the pressure
of the pressurizing fluid in the container 16 so that when the bags
66 are filled with materials to be dispensed, the pressure of the
pressurizing fluid will be greater. Pressurized fluid from the
pre-pressurized bags 66 is bled out of the system via vents 220 in
the collar 194. Metered amounts of the materials to be dispensed
are then introduced into the bags 66 (or bag 66 and open space) of
the container 16 through the conduits 184 in the filling stems 206,
208 which are pressing down on the plungers 6, 8 and pressurized
materials to be dispensed are forced into the bags 66. The filling
head 186 is then lifted, closing the valve 88.
Static Mixing Device
[0185] This invention contemplates the use of static mixing
devices. The novel static mixing devices 28 of the present
invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 44-54. The
static mixing devices 28 are fitted to the plungers 6, 8 of the
containers 16 of this invention to enable mixing of the viscous
ingredients at the time of dispensing. The static mixing device
2& is attached to the head 128 of the conventional dome 14.
Alternatively, the static mixing device is so sized as to align
with the head 168 at the top of the container 16. The design of the
static mixing device 28 of the present invention is such as to
provide adequate mixing of the ingredients to comply with industry
standards. A sealing cap 30 is provided to replace the static
mixing device 28 after use.
[0186] The directions referred to in the description assume that
the container 16 is standing upright. The static mixing device 28
of this invention is round in plan view and is slightly curved for
visual attractiveness on longitudinal cross-section. The static
mixing device 28 contains a first static mixing component 224, an
optional second static mixing component 224, and a dispensing
component 226. Depending on the user's needs, there may be no
static mixing component just one static mixing component 224, two
static mixing component 224 where the output of the first (bottom)
component 224 is the input of the second (top) component 224, or
additional mixing components 224.
[0187] The static mixing component 224 contains a flexible lower
outer edge 228 which is the same size as the skirt 126 of the
mounting cup 10 which is crimped to the bead 128 of the dome 14.
This outer edge 228 may be attached to the mounting cup 10 by a
friction snap fit. There is a stabilizer 229 protruding from the
lower edge 231 of the mixing component 224. When the actuator 79 is
depressed, the stabilizer presses against the top of the dome 22 or
cup 10 to provide for equal pressure on the individual valves 6, 8
so that fluid flow from each of the outlet valves is proper.
[0188] Each static mixing component 224 contains at least two
conduits 230 which abut with the plungers 6, 8 of the containers
16. Materials entering the conduits 230 are forced into horizontal
conduits 232. Materials in these horizontal conduits 232 progress
forwardly and inwardly to meet at a common inlet opening 234. From
the common inlet opening 234, the materials to be mixed proceed
around an oval conduit 236 to a first outlet 238 which is partially
occluded by a column 240. The first outlet 258 leads into a
circular conduit 242 in which the material's proceed from the front
244 to the rear 246 on each side, passing around multiple columns
240 during this passage. The passage around the columns 240 aids in
the mixing process. At the rear 246 of the circular conduit 242,
the materials enter a single central conduit 248 containing
additional columns 240. The materials, now thoroughly mixed, are
forced forwardly to a central outlet opening 250.
[0189] Each static mixing component 224 contains three vertical
openings 252 substantially equally spaced from the center of the
mixing component 224.
[0190] Where a second static mixing component 224 is desired, a
second static mixing component 224 may be placed on top of the
first static mixing component 224 in the same way that the first
static mixing component 224 is placed on top of the mounting cup
10. The central outlet opening 250 of the first mixing component
224 leads to the common inlet opening 234 of the second static
mixing component 224. From the common inlet opening 234, the mixed
materials proceed in the same manner as in the first mixing
component 224, exiting through the central outlet opening 250.
[0191] The dispensing component 226 contains a flexible lower outer
edge 256 which is the same size as the outer edge 228 of the static
mixing component 224. This outer edge 256 may be attached to the
static mixing component 224 by a friction snap fit.
[0192] The central outlet opening 250 of a static mixing component
224 abuts with a central inlet opening 258 of the dispensing
component 226. The central inlet opening 258 opens into a vertical
conduit 260 which proceeds vertically upwardly to join with a
horizontal outlet conduit 262. The mixed materials exit the
dispensing component 226 through the outlet orifice 264.
Conventional additions (not shown), such as tubes, may be attached
to the outlet orifice 264 to perform specialized functions. Each
dispensing component 226 has three hollow vertical pegs 266
substantially equally spaced from the center of the dispensing
component 226. These pegs 266 fit into and through the
corresponding openings 252 of the static mixing components 224.
Force is applied to the pegs 266, causing a mushroom effect which
secures the dispensing component 226 to the mixing component 224.
Pressure applied to the top of the dispensing component 226 will be
transmitted downwardly to the mixing component 224 and to the valve
plungers 6, 8 to initiate dispensing of the contents of the
container 16. Release of the pressure will stop the dispensing of
the contents.
[0193] Although the invention has been described and illustrated in
detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of
illustration and example, and is not to be taken by way of
limitation. The spirit and scope of the present invention are to be
limited only by the terms of the appended claims.
* * * * *