U.S. patent application number 15/952718 was filed with the patent office on 2018-10-18 for hold-open for container-in-container dispenser.
The applicant listed for this patent is Clayton Corporation. Invention is credited to Kevin Robert Martz.
Application Number | 20180297771 15/952718 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62116957 |
Filed Date | 2018-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180297771 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Martz; Kevin Robert |
October 18, 2018 |
HOLD-OPEN FOR CONTAINER-IN-CONTAINER DISPENSER
Abstract
A hold-open device for a container-in-container dispenser has an
elongate body that is flexible along its length. The elongate body
defines a longitudinal internal passage extending along its length
and through first and second longitudinal ends of the elongate
body. The elongate body defines a plurality of longitudinal
external channels extending along the length of the elongate body
and through the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongate
body. The hold-open device is to be received in an inner container
of the container-in-container dispenser.
Inventors: |
Martz; Kevin Robert;
(Desoto, MO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Clayton Corporation |
Fenton |
MO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62116957 |
Appl. No.: |
15/952718 |
Filed: |
April 13, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62485100 |
Apr 13, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/62 20130101;
B65D 83/32 20130101; B65D 83/24 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/24 20060101
B65D083/24 |
Claims
1. A hold-open device for a pressurized container-in-container
dispenser, the hold-open device comprising: an elongate body having
opposite first and second longitudinal ends, a length extending
between the first and second longitudinal ends, and a longitudinal
axis extending along its length, the elongate body being generally
flexible along its length, wherein the elongate body is sized and
shaped to be received in an inner container of the
container-in-container dispenser and includes a central
longitudinal hub extending along the length of the elongate body,
the central hub defining a longitudinal passage extending along the
length of the elongate body and through the first and second
longitudinal ends of the elongate body, longitudinal ribs
projecting radially outward from the central longitudinal hub and
extending along the length of the elongate body, wherein the
longitudinal ribs are spaced apart from one another about the
longitudinal axis to define a plurality of longitudinal channels
extending longitudinally along the elongate body.
2. The hold-open device set forth in claim 1, wherein the elongate
body is an integrally formed, monolithic, one-piece component.
3. The hold-open device set forth in claim 2, wherein the elongate
body is formed from plastic.
4. The hold-open device set forth in claim 1, wherein the
longitudinal ribs extending along the entire length of the elongate
body.
5. The hold-open device set forth in claim 1, in combination with
the pressurized dispenser-in-dispenser, wherein pressurized
dispenser-in-dispenser includes an outer container having an
interior pressurized by a propellant, an inner container received
in interior of the outer container and having an interior
containing the flowable product, and a valve secured to the outer
and inner containers, wherein the valve is in fluid communication
with the interior of the inner container, wherein the hold-open
device is received in the interior of the inner container.
6. The hold-open device in combination with the pressurized
container-in-container dispenser set forth in claim 5, wherein the
inner container is collapsible around the hold-open device when
dispensing the flowable product.
7. The hold-open device in combination with the pressurized
container-in-container dispenser set forth in claim 5, wherein the
inner container comprises deformable metal.
8. The hold-open device in combination with the pressurized
container-in-container dispenser set forth in claim 5, wherein the
valve includes a mounting cup, a stem, and a seal attached to the
stem and disposed between and interconnecting the stem and the
mounting cup.
9. The hold-open device set forth in claim 1, wherein the elongate
body is generally non-compressible radially and longitudinally.
10. A hold-open device for a pressurized container-in-container
dispenser, the hold-open device comprising: an elongate body sized
and shaped to be received in an inner container of the
container-in-container dispenser, the elongate body having opposite
first and second longitudinal ends, a length extending between the
first and second longitudinal ends, and a longitudinal axis
extending along its length, wherein the elongate body being
generally flexible along its length, wherein the elongate body
defines a longitudinal internal passage extending along the length
of the elongate body and through the first and second longitudinal
ends of the elongate body, wherein the elongate body defines a
plurality of longitudinal external channels extending along the
length of the elongate body and through the first and second
longitudinal ends of the elongate body, the longitudinal external
channels being spaced apart from one another about the longitudinal
axis, wherein the longitudinal external channels are open at an
outer radial portion of the elongate body.
11. The hold-open device set forth in claim 10, wherein the
elongate body is an integrally formed, monolithic, one-piece
component.
12. The hold-open device set forth in claim 10, wherein the
elongate body is generally non-compressible radially and
longitudinally.
13. The hold-open device set forth in claim 10, in combination with
the pressurized container-in-container dispenser, wherein
pressurized dispenser-in-dispenser includes an outer container
having an interior pressurized by a propellant, an inner container
received in interior of the outer container and having an interior
containing the flowable product, and a valve secured to the outer
and inner containers, wherein the valve is in fluid communication
with the interior of the inner container, wherein the hold-open
device is received in the interior of the inner container.
14. The hold-open device in combination with the pressurized
container-in-container dispenser set forth in claim 13, wherein the
inner container is collapsible around the hold-open device when
dispensing the flowable product.
15. The hold-open device in combination with the pressurized
container-in-container dispenser set forth in claim 13, wherein the
inner container comprises deformable metal.
16. The hold-open device in combination with the pressurized
container-in-container dispenser set forth in claim 13, wherein the
valve includes a mounting cup, a stem, and a seal attached to the
stem and disposed between and interconnecting the stem and the
mounting cup.
17. A container-in-container dispenser for dispensing a flowable
product, the container-in-container dispenser comprising: an outer
container having an interior pressurized by a propellant; an inner
container received in interior of the outer container and having an
interior containing the flowable product; a valve secured to the
outer and inner containers, wherein the valve is in fluid
communication with the interior of the inner container; and a
hold-open device received in the interior of the inner container,
the hold-open device comprising: an elongate body having opposite
first and second longitudinal ends, a length extending between the
first and second longitudinal ends, and a longitudinal axis
extending along its length, wherein the elongate body being
generally flexible along its length, wherein the elongate body
defines a longitudinal internal passage extending along the length
of the elongate body and through the first and second longitudinal
ends of the elongate body, wherein the elongate body defines a
plurality of longitudinal external channels extending along the
length of the elongate body and through the first and second
longitudinal ends of the elongate body, the longitudinal external
channels being spaced apart from one another about the longitudinal
axis, wherein the longitudinal external channels are open at an
outer radial portion of the elongate body.
18. The container-in-container dispenser set forth in claim 17,
wherein the elongate body is an integrally formed, monolithic,
one-piece component.
19. The container-in-container dispenser set forth in claim 17,
wherein the elongate body is generally non-compressible radially
and longitudinally.
20. The container-in-container dispenser set forth in claim 17,
wherein the inner container is collapsible around the hold-open
device when dispensing the flowable product.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/485,100, filed Apr. 13, 2017,
the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a hold-open
device for a container-in-container dispenser, and a
container-in-container dispenser including a hold-open device.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] A container-in-container dispenser for dispensing a flowable
product includes an outer container, and an inner container
received in the outer container (e.g. barrier package, bag-in-can,
bag on valve, can-in-can). The inner container contains the
flowable product, and the outer container is pressurized. A valve
is secured to the inner and outer containers and is in fluid
communication with the inner container. When the valve is open, the
pressure within the outer container contracts the volume of the
inner container, thereby forcing the flowable product within the
inner container through the open valve and outside the dispenser.
As the inner container collapses (e.g., folds) upon itself, the
inner container may form one or more "dead spaces" which are cut
off from fluid communication with the valve. Product contained in
these "dead spaces" is unable to be dispensed from the
dispenser.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] In one aspect, a hold-open device for a pressurized
container-in-container dispenser generally comprises an elongate
body having opposite first and second longitudinal ends, a length
extending between the first and second longitudinal ends, and a
longitudinal axis extending along its length. The elongate body is
generally flexible along its length. The elongate body is sized and
shaped to be received in an inner container of the
container-in-container dispenser. The elongate body including a
central longitudinal hub extending along the length of the elongate
body. The central hub defining a longitudinal passage extending
along the length of the elongate body and through the first and
second longitudinal ends of the elongate body. The elongate body
includes longitudinal ribs projecting radially outward from the
central longitudinal hub and extending along the length of the
elongate body. The longitudinal ribs are spaced apart from one
another about the longitudinal axis to define a plurality of
longitudinal channels extending longitudinally along the elongate
body.
[0005] In another aspect, a hold-open device for a pressurized
container-in-container dispenser generally comprises an elongate
body sized and shaped to be received in an inner container of the
container-in-container dispenser. The elongate body has opposite
first and second longitudinal ends, a length extending between the
first and second longitudinal ends, and a longitudinal axis
extending along its length. The elongate body is generally flexible
along its length. The elongate body defines a longitudinal internal
passage extending along the length of the elongate body and through
the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongate body. The
elongate body defines a plurality of longitudinal external channels
extending along the length of the elongate body and through the
first and second longitudinal ends of the elongate body. The
longitudinal external channels are spaced apart from one another
about the longitudinal axis. The longitudinal external channels are
open at an outer radial portion of the elongate body.
[0006] In yet another aspect, a container-in-container dispenser
for dispensing a flowable product generally comprises an outer
container having an interior pressurized by a propellant. An inner
container is received in interior of the outer container and has an
interior containing the flowable product. A valve is secured to the
outer and inner containers. The valve is in fluid communication
with the interior of the inner container. A hold-open device is
received in the interior of the inner container. The hold-open
device comprises an elongate body having opposite first and second
longitudinal ends, a length extending between the first and second
longitudinal ends, and a longitudinal axis extending along its
length. The elongate body is generally flexible along its length.
The elongate body defines a longitudinal internal passage extending
along the length of the elongate body and through the first and
second longitudinal ends of the elongate body. The elongate body
defines a plurality of longitudinal external channels extending
along the length of the elongate body and through the first and
second longitudinal ends of the elongate body. The longitudinal
external channels are spaced apart from one another about the
longitudinal axis. The longitudinal external channels are open at
an outer radial portion of the elongate body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective of one embodiment of a
container-in-container dispenser including a hold-open device
received in the dispenser;
[0008] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the container-in-container
dispenser;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a cross section of the container-in-container
dispenser;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective of the hold-open device;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the hold-open device;
[0012] FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 3 showing the inner container
collapsed around the hold-open device; and
[0013] FIG. 7 is a cross section taken along the lines 7-7 in FIG.
6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, one embodiment of a
container-in-container dispenser for dispensing a flowable product
(e.g., a chemical product or food product) is generally indicated
at reference numeral 10. The dispenser 10 includes an outer
container 12, and an inner container 14 (FIG. 3) received in the
outer container. The outer container 12 is pressurized with a
propellant (e.g., gas, liquid) received in the interior of the
outer container. An interior of the inner container 14 contains the
flowable product. A valve, generally indicated at 16, is secured to
the inner and outer containers 12, 14, respectively--such as an
upper ends of the inner and outer containers--and is in fluid
communication with the inner container. When the valve 16 is open,
the pressure within the outer container 12 contracts the inner
container 14, thereby forcing the flowable product within the inner
container through the open valve and outside the dispenser 10. As
explained in more detail below, the dispenser 10 includes a
hold-open device 18 received in the inner container 14. The
hold-open device 18, in one embodiment, is free-floating in the
inner container 14, in that it is not attached to the valve 16 or
the inner container, and is free in its entirety from attachment in
the inner container. In other embodiments it may be attached to the
valve 16 or other portion of the dispenser.
[0015] The outer container 12 may be generally rigid to maintain
its shape and volume when pressurized with the propellant. For
example, the outer container 12 may be formed from a suitable metal
or plastic material having a suitable thickness. The illustrated
outer container 12 include a curl 20 (i.e. bead) to which the valve
16 and the inner container 14 may be secured, such as by crimping
the valve on the curl so that a lip of the inner container is
sandwiched between the curl and the valve. The outer container 12
may be of other configurations and designs.
[0016] The inner container 14 is suitably collapsible (broadly,
deformable) by pressure within the outer container 12 to decrease
the internal volume of the inner container to expel the flowable
product through the open valve. For example, the inner container 14
may be formed from a suitable metal or flexible plastic material
having a suitable thickness. For example, the inner container 14
may be a collapsible pouch or bag. The inner container 14 is
suitable formed so that the inner container does not form tears or
openings when collapsing. The inner container 14 may be of other
configurations and designs.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 3, the illustrated valve 16 includes a
mounting cup 24, a stem 26, and a seal (e.g., a grommet) 28,
attached to the stem and disposed between and interconnecting the
stem and the mounting cup. The mounting cup 24 is suitable for
attachment to the curl 20 of the outer container 12. In FIG. 3, the
valve 26 is in a closed (non-actuated) position. The stem 26 is
movable away from a seat portion of the seal 28 to open the valve
16 (e.g., move the valve to an actuated configuration) to allow
flowable product in the inner container 14, via pressure in the
outer container 12, to flow between the stem and the seat portion
and into inlet(s) of the stem. The valve 16 may function as a
"vertically actuated" valve, or alternatively, as a "tilt" valve,
depending on the actuator used to operate the valve. For example,
when used as a vertically actuated valve, an axial force is applied
to the stem 26 to unseat the stem from the seat portion of the seal
28. In another example, when used as a tilt valve, a force is
applied to the side of stem 26 to rotate or pivot the stem and
unseat the stem from the seat portion of the seal 28, as is
generally known in the art. The valve 16 may be of other
configurations and designs.
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the hold-open device 18 includes
an elongate body having opposite upper and lower longitudinal ends,
a length extending between the upper and lower longitudinal ends,
and a longitudinal axis LA extending along the length. The elongate
body includes a central hub 32 extending along the body, and a
plurality of longitudinal ribs 34 extending radially outward from
the hub relative to the longitudinal axis. The hub 32 and the
longitudinal ribs 34 extend continuously along the elongate body
from the upper longitudinal end to the lower longitudinal end of
the elongate body, although in other embodiments they may be
discontinuous along the elongate body. The hub 32 defines a
longitudinal internal passage 38 extending longitudinally through
the hub and through the upper and lower longitudinal ends of the
elongate body. The longitudinal ribs 34 are spaced apart from one
another about the longitudinal axis LA to define a plurality of
longitudinal external channels 40 extending along the elongate body
and through the upper and lower longitudinal ends thereof. The
longitudinal external channels 40 are open at outer portions of the
channels and closed at inner portions thereof. Broadly, the
longitudinal internal passage 38 is defined by an interior surface
of the elongate body, and the longitudinal external channels 40 are
defined by an exterior surface of the elongate body. As explained
in more detail below, the external channels 40 and the internal
passage 38 substantially maintain the patency of the inner
container 12 to improve the amount of product that is capable of
being dispensed from the dispenser 10. It is understood that in
other embodiments, longitudinal external channels may be formed in
other ways.
[0019] The hold-open device 18 (e.g., the elongate body) is
suitably flexible along its length so that the body is capable of
deflecting (e.g., bending) as the inner container 14 collapses
around and contacts the hold-open device. For example, where the
inner container 14 is metal, the hold-open device 18 may bend along
its length and generally conform to the longitudinal deformation of
the inner container. The elongate body is generally
non-compressible radially and longitudinally so that the patency of
the longitudinal internal passage 38 and the external channels 40
along their respective lengths are maintained as the inner
container 14 collapses around and contacts the hold-open device 18.
In this way, the hold-open device 18 reduces the "dead spaces" in
the inner container 14 as the inner container collapses (e.g.,
folds upon itself). As shown in FIG. 7, it is likely that the
flowable product will enter (e.g., is forced into) one or both of
the internal passageway 38 and the external channels 40 as the
inner container 14 collapses around the hold-open device. The
internal passageway 38 and/or one or more of the external channels
40 maintain fluid communication with the valve 16.
[0020] The illustrated hold-open device 18 may be an integrally
formed, monolithic, once-piece component. The hold-open device 18
may be formed from a plastic material, such as by extrusion or
molding. In one or more embodiments, the hold-open device 18 may be
formed from polypropylene, or high density polyethylene, or
combinations thereof, or other materials.
[0021] The following table illustrates the results of three test
runs of container-in-container dispensers, each including a
hold-open device as illustrated in the present application. The
hold-open device was formed from high density polyethylene by
extrusion. Each of the dispensers was tested for the weight of
product dispensed and remaining in the dispenser after each
container is no longer dispensing product. The below results show
that the hold-open device of the present disclosure is capable of
dispensing product comparable to a hold-open device that includes a
metal spring.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 High Density Polyethylene Plastic Hold-Open
Can Full WT Dispensed Remaining 1 212.26 195.22 17.04 2 212.15
195.34 16.81 3 212.73 196.23 16.5
[0022] Modifications and variations of the disclosed embodiments
are possible without departing from the scope of the invention
defined in the appended claims.
[0023] When introducing elements of the present invention or the
embodiment(s) thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the" and "said" are
intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The
terms "comprising", "including" and "having" are intended to be
inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than
the listed elements.
[0024] As various changes could be made in the above constructions,
products, and methods without departing from the scope of the
invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above
description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be
interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
* * * * *