U.S. patent number 3,680,605 [Application Number 05/120,468] was granted by the patent office on 1972-08-01 for package for dispensing pressurized materials.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Gillette Company. Invention is credited to Louis V. Nigro.
United States Patent |
3,680,605 |
Nigro |
August 1, 1972 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
PACKAGE FOR DISPENSING PRESSURIZED MATERIALS
Abstract
A pressurized dispensing package system includes two dispensing
packages, each package including a projecting discharge passage
structure. One of the packages includes an actuator assembly that
includes two structures that are movable relative to each other.
One of the structures defines a refill passage and an intersecting
dispensing passage. In a first position of the structure a
continuous material flow path that includes a discharge passage
structure and the dispensing passage is defined and at least one
port of the refill passage is closed by a surface of the other
structure. In a second position the refill passage is aligned with
the discharge passage structure and a continuous material flow path
through the refill passage is defined whereby a transfer tube may
be introduced into the refill passage to block the dispensing
passage at the intersection thereof.
Inventors: |
Nigro; Louis V. (Saugus,
MA) |
Assignee: |
The Gillette Company (Boston,
MA)
|
Family
ID: |
22390486 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/120,468 |
Filed: |
March 3, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/20;
222/402.16; 141/348; 222/536 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
83/205 (20130101); B65D 83/425 (20130101); B65D
83/7532 (20130101); B65D 83/207 (20130101); B65D
47/305 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
47/04 (20060101); B65D 47/30 (20060101); B65D
83/16 (20060101); B65D 83/14 (20060101); B65b
003/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/402.11,402.16
;141/20,3,348,349 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Reeves; Robert B.
Assistant Examiner: Shannon, Jr.; John P.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a pressurized dispensing package including a container for
storing a material to be dispensed under pressure, a discharge
passage structure and a valve assembly for controlling the
discharge of said material from said container through said
discharge passage structure, an actuator assembly mounted on said
discharge passage structure, said actuator assembly including
discharge nozzle structure, first structure defining a refill
passage extending through said first structure with a port at each
end of said refill passage and a dispensing passage intersecting
said refill passage and extending from said intersection with said
refill passage to an exterior surface of said first structure; and
second structure, said first and second structures being movable
relative to each other between a first position in which a
continuous material flow path including said dispensing passage is
defined from said discharge passage structure to said nozzle
structure and at least one port of said refill passage is closed by
a surface of said second structure to prevent material flow through
said one refill passage port, and a second position in which a
continuous material flow path through said refill passage is
defined, said refill passage is aligned with said discharge passage
structure and said one port of said refill passage is open whereby
a transfer tube may be introduced into said refill passage to block
said intersection of said dispensing passage and said refill
passage so that a direct path is defined for material to flow
through said transfer tube, said refill passage and said discharge
passage structure into said container in a refilling operation.
2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said assembly is mounted so that
said refill passage extends generally parallel to the discharge
passage structure and said dispensing passage extends from said
refill passage to said nozzle in a direction generally
perpendicular to said refill passage.
3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said second structure is mounted
on said discharge passage structure and said first structure is
movable relative thereto in a direction generally perpendicular to
said refill passage.
4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said first structure is mounted
on said discharge passage structure and said second structure is
rotatable relative to said first structure about an axis generally
parallel to said refill passage.
5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said second structure includes a
refill port portion extending therethrough parallel to said axis,
said refill port portion being in communication with said refill
passage when said structures are in said second position and being
spaced from said refill passage when said structures are in said
first position.
6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first structure defines a
valving surface engaging a valving surface defined by said second
structure, each of said refill and dispensing passages terminates
in a port at said first structure valving surface said ports being
spaced from one another and said second structure defines an
opening communicating with said discharge passage structure, and
said first structure is movable relative to said second structure
between said second position wherein said refill passage port
communicates with said second structure opening and said first
position wherein said dispensing passage port communicates with
said second structure opening and refill passage port is sealed by
said valving surface of said second structure.
7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said first structure is mounted
on said second structure for movement relative thereto in a
direction generally perpendicular to the axis of said second
structure passage port.
8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein a first portion of said
discharge passage extends from said refill passage to said nozzle
in a direction generally parallel to said direction of relative
movement and a second portion of said discharge passage extends
from said refill passage to said first structure valving
surface.
9. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said second structure defines a
channel extending therethrough parallel to said direction of
relative movement, said first structure is mounted within said
channel, and surfaces of said channel overlie and close both ends
of said refill passage when said structures are in said first
position.
10. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said valving surfaces comprise
portions of coaxial cylinders.
11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein said first structure is
rotatable relative to said second structure about the axis of said
cylinders and said axis is generally perpendicular to the axis of
said second structure passage port.
12. The assembly of claim 10 wherein said first structure includes
a substantially planar surface portion perpendicular to the axis of
and surrounding said dispensing passage port, and further including
means for sealingly engaging said surface portion when said
structures are in said first position.
13. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said first structure includes a
wiper surface adjacent an end of said refill passage, said wiper
surface engaging and wiping a surface of said nozzle structure when
said assembly is moved between said first and second positions.
14. The Assembly of claim 6 wherein said second structure has an
upstanding wall portion including said nozzle structure and said
first structure engages a free edge of said wall portion when said
structures are in said first position.
15. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said first structure comprises
a member of molded organic plastic including a cylindrical knuckle
portion mounted within a recess defined by said second structure
and a spout portion extending outwardly from said knuckle portion
in a direction perpendicular to the axis thereof.
16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein said member includes a first
duct extending through said knuckle and said spout portion and a
second duct extending from an interior portion of said first duct
to the cylindrical surface of said knuckle portion.
17. The assembly of claim 1 and further including a supporting
member fixedly mounted on said container, said first and second
structures being movable as a unit relative to said supporting
member in a direction generally parallel to the axis of said
discharge passage structure when said structures are in said first
position and said structures and supporting member defining
cooperating portions for preventing movement of said structures
relative to said supporting member in said direction when said
structures are in said second position.
18. The assembly of claim 17 wherein said supporting member
includes an exterior surface defining therein a plurality of guides
for engaging cooperating guides of a refilling container.
19. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first structure defines a
valving surface engaging a valving surface defined by said second
structure, each of said refill and dispensing passages terminates
in a port at said first structure valving surface, said ports being
spaced from one another and said second structure defines an
opening communicating with said discharge passage structure, said
first structure is movable relative to said second structure
between said second position wherein said refill passage port
communicates with said second structure opening and said first
position wherein said dispensing passage port communicates with
said second structure opening and refill passage port is sealed by
said valving surface of said second structure, said first structure
further includes a latch surface portion adjacent said dispensing
passage port, and further including transfer structure mounted on
said discharge passage structure and extending through said second
structure opening, said transfer structure engaging said latch
surface portion when said structures are in said first
position.
20. The assembly of claim 19 wherein said refill passage and said
opening of said second structure are of substantially the same
diameter, and said transfer structure defines a passage of diameter
substantially equal to the diameters of said discharge passage and
said dispensing passage.
21. A pressurized dispensing package adapted to be refilled from a
second pressurized dispensing package comprising:
a container adapted to hold a material to be dispensed under
pressure,
a structure defining a discharge passage for flow of material from
said container,
a valve assembly for controlling the flow of material through said
discharge passage,
and an actuator assembly mounted on said container in communication
with said discharge passage structure including
discharge nozzle structure, first structure defining a refill
passage extending through said first structure with a port at each
end of said refill passage and a dispensing passage intersecting
said refill passage and extending from said intersection with said
refill passage to an exterior surface of said first structure; and
second structure, said first and second structures being movable
relative to each other between a first position in which a
continuous material flow path from said discharge passage structure
to said nozzle structure including said dispensing passage is
defined and at least one port of said refill passage is closed by a
surface of said second structure to prevent material flow through
said one refill passage port, and a second position in which a
continuous material flow path through said refill passage is
defined, said refill passage is aligned with said discharge passage
structure and said one port of said refill passage is open whereby
a transfer tube coupled to said second pressurized dispensing
package may be introduced into said refill passage to block said
intersection of said dispensing passage and said refill passage so
that a direct path is defined for material to flow from said second
package through said transfer tube, said refill passage and said
discharge passage structure into said container in a refilling
operation.
22. A pressurized dispensing package adapted to be refilled from a
second pressurized dispensing package comprising:
a container adapted to hold a material to be dispensed under
pressure,
a structure defining a discharge passage for flow of material from
said container,
a valve assembly for controlling the flow of material through said
discharge passage,
support means mounted on said container and actuator means disposed
within said support means and mounted on said container in
communication with said discharge passage structure for operation
of said valve assembly in a material dispensing operation,
said actuator means including two members movable relative to one
another between first and second positions, said members in said
first position defining a dispensing passage from said discharge
passage to a nozzle and in said second position defining a refill
passage in communicating alignment with said discharge passage, and
latch means for latching said members in said first position,
said support and actuator means further including cooperating
portions movable to a position preventing movement of said actuator
means relative to said support means in a valve assembly operating
direction,
and means responsive to placing said support and actuator means in
said movement preventing position for releasing said latch means to
permit said members to be moved to said second position.
23. The package of claim 22 wherein said actuator means further
includes a transfer member mounted on said discharge passage
structure, one of said members is mounted on said transfer member
defining a surface for receiving the other member, and said
dispensing passage is of smaller dimension than said refill passage
and extends from an intersection with said refill passage to an
exterior surface of said other member.
24. The package as claimed in claim 22 wherein said actuator means
includes discharge nozzle structure, one of said members defines a
refill passage extending through said one member with a port at
each end of said refill passage and a dispensing passage
intersecting said refill passage and extending from said
intersection with said refill passage to an exterior surface of
said one member; and a second member, said first and second members
being movable relative to each other between a first position in
which a continuous material flow path including said dispensing
passage is defined from said discharge passage structure to said
nozzle structure and at least one port of said refill passage is
closed by a surface of said second member to prevent material flow
through said one refill passage port, and a second position in
which a continuous material flow path through said refill passage
is defined, said refill passage is aligned with said discharge
passage structure and said one port of said refill passage is open
whereby a transfer tube may be introduced into said refill passage
to block said intersection of said dispensing passage and said
refill passage so that a direct path is defined for material to
flow through said transfer tube, said refill passage and said
discharge passage structure into said container in a refilling
operation.
25. The package of claim 24 wherein said actuator means is mounted
so that said refill passage extends generally parallel to the
discharge passage structure and said dispensing passage extends
from said refill passage to said nozzle in a direction generally
perpendicular to said refill passage.
26. The package of claim 25 wherein said second member is mounted
on said discharge passage structure and said one member is movable
relative thereto in a direction generally perpendicular to said
refill passage.
27. The package of claim 25 wherein said one member is mounted on
said discharge passage structure and said second member is
rotatable relative to said first structure about an axis generally
parallel to said refill passage.
28. The package of claim 27 wherein said second member includes a
refill port portion extending therethrough parallel to said axis,
said refill port portion being in communication with said refill
passage when said members are in said second position and being
spaced from said refill passage when said members are in said first
position.
29. The package of claim 24 wherein said one member defines a
valving surface engaging a valving surface defined by said second
member, each of said refill and dispensing passages terminates in a
port at said one member valving surface said ports being spaced
from one another and said second structure defines an opening
communicating with said discharge passage structure, and said one
member is movable relative to said second member between said
second position wherein said refill passage port communicates with
said second member opening and said first position wherein said
dispensing passage port communicates with said second member
opening and refill passage port is sealed by said valving surface
of said second member.
30. The package of claim 29 wherein said valving surfaces comprise
portions of coaxial cylinders, said one member is rotatable
relative to said second member about the axis of said cylinders and
said axis is generally perpendicular to the axis of said second
member passage port, and said one member includes a substantially
planar surface portion perpendicular to the axis of and surrounding
said dispensing passage port, and further including means for
sealingly engaging said surface portion when said members are in
said first position.
31. The package of claim 28 wherein said one member includes a
wiper surface adjacent an end of said refill passage, said wiper
surface engaging and wiping a surface of said nozzle structure when
said assembly is moved between said first and second positions and
said second member has an upstanding wall portion including said
nozzle structure and said one member engages a free edge of said
wall portion when said members are in said first position.
32. The package of claim 22 wherein said support means includes an
exterior surface defining therein a plurality of guides for
engaging cooperating guides of a refilling container.
Description
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
This invention relates to pressurized dispensing packages and more
particularly to systems that permit the refilling of such
pressurized dispensing packages.
Pressurized containers are used for dispensing a wide variety of
products including insecticides, deodorants, antiperspirants,
shaving preparations, dessert toppings, etc. Conventional
pressurized dispensing packages are filled by the manufacturer and
are discarded by the consumer after those contents have been
dispensed. A relatively large size pressurized dispensing package
reduces the cost to the user but such large containers are
cumbersome and inconvenient and small size pressurized dispensing
packages, while convenient to store and use, are relatively
expensive in terms of material dispensed. It has been proposed that
the use of pressurized dispensing packages of relatively small size
might be extended by arrangements that permit the user to easily
and safely refill one relatively small container refilled from a
larger sized pressurized dispensing package, thus providing the
consumer with greater convenience and reducing his overall cost.
Such a system, in addition to making more economical the use of
small pressurized dispensing packages, would also increase the
flexibility and convenience with which various products packaged in
this manner can be used.
It is an object of this invention to provide novel and improved
systems permitting the transfer of material from a pressurized
dispensing package to a smaller dispensing package in a refilling
operation.
Another object of the invention is to provide an actuator assembly
for pressurized dispensing package that is adjustable between a
normal configuration in which the dispenser valve assembly and
discharge port are connected so that the contents of the container
may be discharged through the port in response to operation of the
valve assembly, and a refill configuration in which the discharge
port is disconnected from the valve assembly and a passage is
provided through which a transfer tube from a larger supply
pressurized package may be connected through the actuator assembly
for refilling the smaller container from the larger container.
Other objects of the invention include the provision of actuator
assemblies for such systems which are simple and inexpensive in an
arrangement which clogging is minimized, arrangements to prevent
inadvertent dispensing during the refilling operation, and
arrangements which provide positive separation of the dispensing
and refilling passages.
In accordance with the invention there is provided a pressurized
dispensing package including a container for storing a material to
be dispensed under pressure, a discharge passage structure and a
valve assembly for controlling the discharge of the material from
said container through the discharge passage structure, and an
actuator assembly mounted on the discharge passage structure. The
actuator assembly includes first structure defining a refill
passage extending therethrough with a port at each end and a
dispensing passage intersecting the refill passage and extending
from said intersection with said refill passage to an exterior
surface of the first structure; and a cooperating second structure.
The first and second structures are movable relative to each other
between a first position in which a continuous material flow path
from the discharge passage structure to the discharge port of the
actuator assembly including the dispensing passage is defined and
at least one port of the refill passage is closed by a surface of
the second structure to prevent material flow through that refill
passage port, and a second position in which a continuous material
flow path through the refill passage is defined, the refill passage
being aligned with the discharge passage structure and the ports of
the refill passage being open whereby a transfer tube may be
introduced into the refill passage to block the intersection of the
dispensing and refill passages so that a direct path is defined for
material to flow through the transfer tube, the refill passage and
the discharge passage structure into the container in a refilling
operation.
In preferred embodiments, the second structure is mounted on the
discharge passage structure and the first structure is movable
relative thereto; the first structure defines a valving surface
that engages a valving surface defined by the second structure, and
the refill and dispensing passages each terminate in a port at the
valving surface of the first structure, and the refill passage port
is sealed by the valving surface of the second structure when the
structures are in their first (dispensing) position.
In a particular embodiment, the first structure is a molded organic
plastic member that includes a cylindrical knuckle portion mounted
within a recess defined by the second structure and a spout portion
extending outwardly from the knuckle portion in a direction
perpendicular to the axis thereof. The spout portion includes a
wiper surface adjacent an end of the refill passage that engages
and wipes a surface of the discharge port structure when said
assembly is moved between said first and second position. Also in
that embodiment, latch means are provided for latching said two
actuator members in the dispensing actuator is disposed within the
support means.
The support and actuator means further include cooperating portions
that are placed in a position preventing movement of the actuator
means relative to the support means in a valve operating direction,
and in response to placing the support and actuator means in that
movement preventing position the latch means is released to permit
said actuator members to be moved to the refill position.
The invention thus provides a convenient, reliable and economical
system enabling the user to refill a small (daughter) pressurized
dispensing package from a larger (mother) dispensing package. The
daughter package may be of a size suitable for carrying in a purse,
for example, and need not be discarded when the material initially
loaded into it has been dispensed. Rather, the daughter container
may be readily refilled from the mother package simply through
shifting the actuator assembly from dispensing position to refill
position and inserting in transfer tube of the mother package into
the refill passage and concurrently actuating the valve assemblies
of both mother and daughter packages.
Other objects, features and advantages will appear from the
following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the
invention, taken together with the attached drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of components of a
pressurized dispensing package in accordance with the
invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a
pressurized dispensing package including an assembly of the
components shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the package of FIG. 2 in its
dispensing configuration;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of portions of the package of
FIG. 2 in an intermediate position;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the package of FIG. 2 in its
refilling configuration and of a cooperating refilling package;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a second embodiment, together with a
cooperating refilling dispenser;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of portions of the device of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the present
invention; and
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of components of the device
of FIG. 8.
DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1--5 a
pressurized dispensing package of the user or daughter type,
generally designated 10, comprising a cylindrical container 12
having a top portion 14, the central opening of which is closed by
a valve assembly 15 including a tubular valve stem 16 extending
upwardly from a closure 18 having an annular rim 20 crimped over
the edge of the container opening. Circumferentially spaced
serrations (not shown) project radially outwardly from rim 20.
An actuator assembly, generally designated 30 and including a
transfer button 32, hinge spout 34, actuator 36 and collar 38, is
mounted on container 10 with collar 38 engaging valve closure 18
and container 12 and transfer button 32 engaging stem 16. As shown,
collar 38 includes a stepped-cylindrical outer wall having a lower
portion 40 seated on container top portion 18, latch rib projection
41 which engages rim 20, and an upper portion 42 of smaller
diameter which defines at its lower edge an interior annular stop
surface 43 facing and spaced from closure 18. The serrations on rim
20 tightly engage projection 41 and prevent relative rotation of
collar 38 and container 12. Collar 38 also includes an interior,
axially extending cylindrical wall 44 when axially-facing end
surface 45 engages the top of closure 18.
At the top of collar 38 is an annular inwardly extending rim 46 the
inner cylindrical surface 47 of which defines a circular opening
46. Three cam guide slots 48 are circumferentially-spaced around
the inner edge of rim 46 and through the thickness thereof. Each
guide slot 48 includes a vertical stop surface 50 at one end
thereof and a sloped downwardly curved cam surface 52 at the other
end thereof, the stop and cam surfaces of each guide aperture being
correspondingly placed. Three vertical key ways 54, each including
at its lower end an offset locking recess 56, extend downwardly
from the top of collar 38 and are equally circumferentially spaced
around upper wall portion 42.
Actuator 36 is mounted partially within collar 38 and has a
substantially cylindrical outer wall 60. The actuator is vertically
movable relative to collar 38 and includes an outwardly extending
annular collar or flange 62 at the base of wall 60. Three cams 64,
shaped to fit within cam guides 48, are spaced around and project
outwardly from wall 60. A concave discharge recess 66 including a
central orifice 68 is provided in the upper portion of wall 60. On
either side of the nozzle, are vertical slots 70 through wall 60
that extend downwardly from the top of the wall to approximately
midway the wall height.
A recess 72 for receiving spout 34 extends downwardly from the top
wall 74 of actuator 36. The base, and most of the side opposite
nozzle 66, of recess 72 are defined by substantially cylindrical
surface 76 extending perpendicularly between a pair of spaced
vertical side walls 78. The fourth side wall of the recess is
defined by the portion of the inner surface 80 of wall 60 between
cuts 70. An inclined planar transition surface portion 82 extends
between surfaces 80 and 78. Formed in each side wall 78 adjacent
top wall 74 is a rectangular notch 84 that includes projecting
retaining lugs 86.
A cylindrical transfer button member receiving projection 88 (as
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) extends downwardly from the center of the
portion of actuator 36 that defines the base of recess 72,
coaxially with stem 16. Projection 88 defines a
circular-in-cross-section duct 90, of diameter substantially equal
to the outer diameter of stem 16, that extends from port 92 in the
base of recess 72. The annular lower end 94 of projection 88 is
V-shaped in radial cross-section.
Transfer member 32 includes a lower tubular portion 96 mounted
coaxially on stem 16 and an upper tubular portion 98 slip-fitted
within duct 90 of actuator members 36. The inner diameter of
portion 98 is the same as that of stem 16. An upwardly facing,
annular, V-shaped in cross-section recess 100 is provided at the
junction of tubular portions 96 and 98 in position for mating with
end 94 of projection 88. The top of portion 98 terminates in an
annular V-shaped rib 102.
Member 34 is an integral piece of molded plastic including a spout
part 104 extending outwardly from a cylindrical knuckle part 106
congruent with and having the same radius and axial length as
cylindrical segment 78 of recess 72. A pair of stub shafts 108,
which snap into notches 84, extend coaxially outwardly from the
opposite planar sides 110 of knuckle 106. A circular in
cross-section main duct 112, of diameter equal to the outside
diameter of transfer button portion 98, extends through spout part
104 and knuckle 106 midway between sides 110 and perpendicular to
the axis of knuckle 106. A circular-in-cross-section secondary duct
114; of diameter equal to the inside diameter of transfer button
spout 98, extends from main duct 112 to the cylindrical wall 116 of
knuckle 106, with the axis of secondary duct 114 intersecting the
axes of duct 112 and knuckle 106. The portion of the peripheral
wall of knuckle 106 surrounding duct 114 defines an annular flat
recessed surface portion 118, perpendicular to the axis of
secondary duct 114. A rectangular recess 120 is provided in the
free end 122 of spout part 104 surrounding duct 112. The upper
portion of spout part 104 includes a gripping lip 124 extending
beyond the end of duct 112 which engages the free end of the
flexible portion of wall 60 that includes nozzle recess 66. As
shown, hinge spout 34 is fitted within recess 72 of actuator 36
aith cylindrical surface of knuckle 106 rotatably engaging surface
76 so that the spout 34 is movable between a dispensing position
(FIG. 3) in which main duct 112 and secondary duct 114 are axially
aligned with nozzle recess 66 and stem 16, respectively, and a
refill position (FIG. 5) in which main duct 112 is axially aligned
with stem 16.
Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown at the bottom thereof a
refill or mother package 130 comprising a cylindrical container 132
having a reduced neck portion 134, the central opening of which is
closed by a valve assembly including a tubular valve stem 136
extending upwardly from a valve cap 138. A tubular transfer member
140 includes a coaxial mounting portion 142 and cylindrical spout
portion 144 and is mounted on stem 136 with the interior duct 146
of member 140 coaxial with the stem 136. The inside and outside
diameters of spout portion 144 are substantially equal to,
respectively, the inside diameters of stem 16 and main duct 112. An
annular retaining collar 148 extends radially outwardly from the
base of mounting portion 142.
A housing 150 having a stepped-cylindrical inner wall 152 is
mounted on dispenser 130 with the base of wall 152 engaging and an
inwardly extending rib 154 on wall 152 snapped over the bead of
valve cap 138. The inclined base portion 156 of housing 150 engages
the top of container 132 and an outer wall 158 extends from the top
of wall 154 to the outer circumferential edge of wall 154. An
annular flange 160 extends inwardly from wall 152 to capture collar
148 of member 140. The inside diameter of the portion 162 of wall
152 above flange 160 is substantially equal to the outer diameter
of upper wall portion 42 of collar 38. Three
circumferentially-spaced studs or keys 164 project inwardly from
wall 152 in position for engaging keyways 54 when housing 150 is
fitted over collar 38.
As previously indicated, actuator assembly 30 of package 10 is
operable either to discharge the contents of the package through
nozzle 66, or to permit refilling of the package, from refill
package 130, through stem 16. In its discharging configuration,
shown in FIG. 3, hinge spout 34 of assembly 30 is positioned with
lip 124 engaging actuator wall 60 and actuator cams 64 fitted
within collar cam guide slots 48 so that V-shaped lower end 94 of
actuator projection 88 seats within transfer button recess 100 and
rib 102 engages recessed surface portion 118 in a positive latching
position. The end of main duct 112 in knuckle 106 is closed by
cylindrical recess wall 76. The nib end 102 of transfer button 94
sealingly engages flat 118 surrounding the port to secondary duct
114. When the top of hinge spout 34 is pressed down, valve stem 16
is depressed and material is discharged from within container 12
and passed through valve stem 16, transfer button 32 and ducts 112
and 114, to and through nozzle orifice 68.
For refilling package 10, actuator 36 (carrying hinge spout 34) is
rotated relative collar 38 and transfer button 32, the interaction
between cams 64 and cam guide surfaces 52 moving the actuator
upward so that the cams 64 ride on the upper surface of rim 46 and
collar 62 engages stop surface 43, thereby separating end 94 of
projection 88 from groove 100 of transfer button 32 as shown in
FIG. 4 and moving surface 118 upward away from rib 102. Surface 94
of member 36 is also separated from surface 100 of member 32, thus
preventing further accidental depression of valve stem 16.
The released hinge spout 34 is then rotated (clockwise as viewed in
FIGS. 3 through 5) from its dispensing position until the flat top
surface 109 of the spout engages the rear upper edge 79 of surface
76, in which position (shown in FIG. 5) main duct 112 is coaxially
aligned with spout 98 and stem 16. During rotation, the lower edge
115 of the forward end of spout part 104 wipes the interior surface
of nozzle member 66.
Keys 164 and keyways 54 are engaged and spout portion 144 of refill
dispenser 130 is introduced into main duct 112 of hinge spout 34
and duct 90 until the axial end of the spout portion engages nib
102. Further movement of dispensers 10 and 130 toward each other
opens the valves of each package (by depressing valve stems 16 and
136) permitting flow of material from refill dispenser 130 through
refill stem 140 and transfer button 32 into package 10. The
cylindrical wall of refill stem 140 overlies and thereby seals the
end of duct 114 intersecting main duct 112 and prevents material
from being discharged through duct 114. The two containers may be
locked together during the transfer by moving keys 164 to the
bottom of keyways 54 and then rotating one package relative to the
other to move the keys into recesses 56.
After refilling the two containers are separated, spout 34 is
snapped back in position as shown in FIG. 3, actuator 36 is rotated
relative to collar 38 so that cams 64 engage stop surfaces 50 and
the actuator is freed for axial movement. Upon downward movement of
actuator 36, rib 102 engages flat 118 and the cooperating V-shaped
surfaces 94 and 100 are engaged. In this position the daughter
package 10 is ready for normal dispensing operation.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 6 and 7, wherein is illustrated a
push-pull actuator assembly 36' mounted on the valve stem 16' of an
aerosol dispenser 12'. As shown, actuator assembly 36' comprises a
ported plug 200 mounted for reciprocal movement in an actuator
member 202. A nozzle 204 having a central spray aperture 205 is
fixed in one end of plug 200.
Plug 200 is substantially cylindrical and includes a refill duct
201 of diameter equal to that of stem 140' extending diametrically
through plug 200 approximately midway the length thereof, and a
dispensing passage including a first portion 206 extending
coaxially from nozzle 204 to duct 201 and a second, L-shaped
portion 208 extending, first, from duct 201 coaxially with portion
206 and then radially to the periphery 210 of the plug. A
radially-extending flange 212 is provided at the end of plug 200
most distant from nozzle 204. Keyway 214 extends axially inwardly
from flange 212.
Actuator member 202 includes two cylindrical passages extending
therethrough, transverse passage 216 in which plug 200 is
slip-fitted and vertical passage 218 whose axis perpendicularly
intersects the axis of passage 216. Annular recesses 220, 222 are
provided at each end of duct 216 for receiving, respectively,
nozzle 204 and flange 212. A key 224 for fitting keyway 212 is
provided at the top of passage 216 adjacent recess 222. As shown,
valve stem 16' fits snugly within the lower portion of passage 218,
with the top of the stem engaging a stop 219 projecting inwardly
into passage 218 slightly below passage 216.
For discharging material from dispenser 10', plug 200 is positioned
within actuator button 202 with the radially extending part of
dispensing passage portion 208 communicating with the lower portion
of passage 218. The upper periphery of plug 200 overlies and seals
the port 217 where the upper portion of passage 218 intersects
passage 216, and flange 212 is disposed in recess 222. The axial
ends of duct 201 are sealed by overlying portions of the inner
cylindrical wall of passage 216. If actuator button 202 is
depressed, opening valve 18', material will be dispensed from valve
stem 16' and will flow from the valve stem to nozzle 204 through
ducts 208 and 206 and the portion of duct 201 therebetween.
For refilling, plug 200 is moved axially relative to button 202
into the position shown in FIG. 6, with duct 201 axially aligned
with passage 218 and the inner cylindrical wall of passage 216
sealing the adjacent end of duct 208. The valve stem 140' of
refilling dispenser 130' may now be introduced into passage 218
until the end of stem 140' abuts the upper edge of stop 219. In
this position, the outer cylindrical wall of the refill spout will
overlie and seal the ports at which dispensing passage portions 204
and 206 intersect duct 201, and further movement of dispenser 10'
and the refill dispenser toward each other will open the valves of
the respective dispensers, permitting material to flow from the
refill dispenser into dispenser 10'. Structure (not shown) similar
to that shown in FIGS. 1-5 may be employed to facilitate the proper
alignment and latching of the two containers in refilling
configuration.
The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 includes a rotary
actuator assembly 36" mounted on the valve stem 16" of a
pressurized dispensing package 10". Actuator assembly 36" comprises
a cylindrical collar 250 including a cylindrical wall 251, an
inwardly-extending, annular rib 252 snapped over and engaging the
rim 20" of dispenser 10" so that intermediate annular flange 253
rests on rim 20"; actuator 254 having a vertical cylindrical wall
256 slip-fitted within collar 250 for axial movement relative
thereto; and a closure-nozzle member 258 rotatably mounted on the
top wall 260 of actuator 254.
A semi-eliptical opening 262 is wall 251 extends downwardly from
the top of collar 250. Three vertically extending
circumferentially-spaced guide slot 264 are provided in the inner
surface 266 of the cylindrical wall 251 of collar 250.
Corresponding ribs 268 are provided on the outer surface of wall
256 of actuator 254, wall 256 including a vertical slot 270 on each
side of each of ribs 268, permitting the rib-carrying wall portion
to flex inwardly when actuator 254 is inserted into collar 250.
The top wall 260 of actuator 254 includes a cylindrical duct 272,
of diameter equal to the outer diameter of stem 16 " extending
coaxially therethrough and a smaller diameter duct 274 extending
radially from the upper portion of duct 272 to actuator periphery
wall 256. A nozzle insert 276 having a nozzle orifice 278 is
mounted in a recess in wall 256 that surrounds the end of duct 274.
Actuator 254 and collar 250 are assembled with spray button 276
disposed within the bounds of opening 262. As shown, annular flange
280 having an inside diameter equal to that of stem 16" is provided
midway the length of duct 272 and stem 16' is snugly fitted within
the lower portion of duct 272 with the top of the stem abutting
flange 280.
Closure 258 comprises a circular disc 259 fitted for rotation
within a recess 282 in top wall 260 of actuator 254 and secured to
the actuator by an integral slotted shaft 284, having a lip 286 at
its lower end, extending downwardly through an opening 288 in wall
260. A tapering handle 290 extends upwardly from the top of the
disc. A refill opening 292 extends through disc 259 on one side of
handle 290. As shown, closure 258 is rotatable on shaft 284 between
a dispensing position (FIG. 8) in which a solid portion of disc 259
overlies and seals the top of duct 272, and a refill position (not
shown) in which opening 292 is coaxially aligned with duct 272.
When actuator 254 is depressed with closure 258 in its dispensing
position, material from within container 10" passes through valve
stem 16" through ducts 272 and 274, to and through nozzle orifice
278. When closure 258 is in its refill position, the refill spout
of a refill dispenser, such as dispenser 130', may be introduced
through port 292 into the upper portion of duct 272 until the end
of the refill spout engages the upper surface of flange 280. When
so introduced, the cylindrical wall of the refill spout will
overlie and seal the port at which duct 274 intersects duct 242,
and further movement of the refill dispenser and dispenser 10",
toward each other will cause material to be discharged from the
refill dispenser into dispenser 10".
Other embodiments within the scope of the following claims will
occur to those skilled in the art.
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