Co-dispensing Valve

Abstract

An aerosol valve designed to either selectively or simultaneously dispense one or more ingredients from a pressurized container. The ingredients are separately stored and are intermixed only immediately prior to being dispensed. The valve includes first and second sealing means wherein flow of the ingredients from separate compartments to a blending chamber is regulated.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a co-dispensing aerosol valve designed to selectively or simultaneously dispense one or more ingredients each stored in separate compartments in a pressurized container.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

Conventional aerosol dispensers generally comprise a pressurized container having a dispensing valve at the upper end thereof designed to selectively dispense a produce from the interior of the container. The valve is normally manually operated and is activated by tilting or vertically depressing a valve head in the form of a button or actuator. This in turn tilts or vertically depresses valve stem causing it to break a sealing engagement within the valve and thereby establish flow of the product through the valve to the exterior of the container. When the valve is opened, the internal pressure of the propellant forces the product up through the valve and out of the valve head, generally in the form of an aerosol spray.

The majority of these conventional type aerosol valves are designed for dispensing a single product from a single pressurized container. Recently, however, a variety of products have appeared on the market, packaged in pressurized aerosol containers, wherein the product being dispensed is a mixture of two or more ingredients which have been premixed immediately prior to dispensing. Products of this nature include food, paints, insecticides, cosmetics and various toiletries. In dealing with products of this nature, it is necessary for a variety of reasons that the ingredients making up these products be held in separate storage compartments to insure that the particular properties of the various ingredients will be maintained for an extended period.

A number of products are now appearing on the market which comprise a plurality of ingredients wherein it is desired to be able to selectively dispense either a single ingredient or to or to simultaneously dispense all of the ingredients in the form of the premixed product. Accordingly, there is a great demand for a co-dispensing aerosol valve which is capable of dispensing a product formed from premixed ingredients or selectively dispense one of the ingredients making up the product.

In dispensing products of this nature, conventional co-dispensing valves suffer from a number of problems. These problems include the difficulty of mixing the specific ingredient in proper proportion and the feeding of the ingredients to a blending chamber or mixing area at the proper rate. Good blending of the ingredients is also critical. An additional problem is the difficulty involved with the complete dispensing of all of the product which has been properly blended. In many applications, such as a resin precursor and catalytic actuator, residue or presence of the blended product or an unmixed ingredient in the blending chamber will frequently cause subsequent blockage. Dependent upon the type of ingredients being blended and dispensed, it is often dangerous to allow blended products to be sealed or trapped in the valve after actuation. For example, when hydrogen peroxide is used as an oxidizing agent in hair dyes, the blended product, if sealed in the valve, could rupture the valve thereby producing total container blending and an explosion.

In order to overcome these difficulties, conventional co-dispensing valves have resorted to relatively complex structures resulting in added expense in the manufacture and use of such valves. In addition, these more complex valve structures have a relatively high failure rate resulting in loss of produce and unnecessary expense to the user. This, of course, results in the creation of a bad reputation and a loss of sales to the manufacturer of the product being dispensed. It can therefore be seen that low manufacturing costs and high reliability are essential requirements of a good co-dispensing aerosol valve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention here relates to a co-dispensing aerosol valve, of simple construction, designed to either selectively or simultaneously dispense one or more ingredients maintained or separate, compartments within a single container. If the ingredient dispensed is the propellant, as compared to the product, a self-cleaning action occurs. The valve includes a valve body having a cavity defined on its interior.

A valve stem is movably arranged within the cavity and includes a depending tail portion which is also arranged within the cavity. A valve stem seat is also movably arranged within the valve body cavity and movably engages the tail portion of the valve stem. A valve spring is connected to both the valve stem and the seat so as to normally bias the stem and seat away from each other while maintaining the tail portion in cooperative engagement with the seat. The valve body further includes a first and second metering orifice which regulate the amount of flow of product from the separate compartments to a blending chamber formed within a valve seat. The blending chamber is constantly vented to atmosphere by means of it communicating directly with the interior of the valve stem. This prohibits any residue remaining in the chamber after de-actuation of the valve.

A tail portion is formed on the valve stem and has a substantially spherical configuration designed to fit within a similarly configured socket formed in the valve seat in the area surrounding the blending chamber. The spherical configuration of the valve stem tail and socket defines a ball and socket connection which permits a general universal movement between the tail and valve stem seat. It should be obvious that the reverse structure would also permit the same relative movement. More specifically, the spherically shaped "ball" could be formed on the valve stem and positioned to fit within a correspondingly shaped socket formed within the lower extremity of the valve stem.

The flow of the individual ingredients to the blending chamber is regulated by a first and second sealing means. The first sealing means comprises a sealing ring mounted on the upper periphery of the valve body and arranged to engage a circular outwardly extending flange integrally formed on the valve stem. Vertical depression or tilting of the valve stem causes a break in the sealing engagement between the valve stem and the sealing ring thereby allowing ingredient in the outer compartment to flow into the valve body cavity and into the blending chamber. The second sealing means comprises a stud which may be integrally formed on the valve stem seat. This stud is normally positioned in sealing engagement with the second metering orifice. Tilting of the valve stem causes disengagement of the stud from the second metering orifice due to the tail portion of the stem movably engaging the seat. This allows the ingredient in the inner compartment to flow through the second metering orifice and into the blending chamber where it is mixed with the other ingredient immediately prior to being dispensed through the valve stem. An additional embodiment of the second sealing means includes a ring which surrounds the second metering orifice in sealing engagement with the surface contiguous to that orifice.

A depending skirt may be integrally formed on the valve body upon which an inner container is attached to act as the inner compartment. The aerosol container may itself comprise the outer compartment. A protruding conduit integrally formed on the valve body connects the dip tube from the outer compartment to the valve cavity. A dip tube tail integrally formed on the valve body, concentric to the depending skirt, comprises the dip tube from the inner compartment.

In operation, a premixed product may be dispensed which comprises a mixture of both ingredients stored in the outer and inner compartments. More specifically, angular tilting of the valve stem causes the disengagement of the stem from the sealing ring and simultaneously causes disengagement of the stud from the second metering orifice. This allows ingredients from both the outer and inner compartments to simultaneously flow into the valve body cavity and into the blending chamber. Alternatively, if the ingredient from only the outer compartment is desired to be dispensed, the valve stem is depressed vertically. This forces the tail portion of the valve stem into a socket formed in the valve seat. Downward movement of the valve stem in this manner disengages the valve stem from the sealing ring thereby establishing direct communication between the blending chamber and the outer compartment. However, with the valve stem in a vertically depressed position, sealing engagement is maintained between the sealing stud and the second metering orifice. This prohibits the flow from the inner compartment into the blending chamber and allows only the ingredient from the outer compartment to be dispensed. If only propellant is stored in the outer compartment, the valve acts as a self-cleaning valve.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the valve of this invention shown in its non-dispensing position.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the valve in co-dispensing position wherein ingredients from both the outer and inner compartments are simultaneously directed to the blending chamber.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the valve in a dispensing position wherein only a single ingredient is dispensed from the outer compartment, such as for self cleaning.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the valve in an excess pressure release position wherein excess pressure, built up within both compartments, is automatically vented through the valve.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views of another embodiment of the valve wherein the second sealing means comprises a ring rather than a ball.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol valve of the present invention comprises a valve body generally indicated as 10, with a valve body cavity 12 therein. A valve stem 14, movably arranged within cavity 12 and biased upwardly by valve leasing means, such as spring 16 protrudes through the central aperture 20 of an upper ring gasket 18. Gasket 18 is secured in sealing engagement with the top of valve body 10 by means of a mounting cup 19. The lower end of valve spring 16 engages valve stem seat 22 about an outwardly extending annular flange 24. The valve stem 14 movably engages seat 22 by means of a ball and socket connection comprising a substantially spherical tail portion 26 which is specifically configured to sit within correspondingly shaped socket 28 formed in the upper portion of valve stem seat 22. As previously stated, the location of spherical tail and socket could be reversed. More specifically, the spherical portion 26 could be formed on the upper extremity of seat 22 and socket 28 could be formed in the lower extremity of the valve stem 14.

The valve body 10 further includes a first and second metering orifice 32 and 34 which regulate the amount of ingredient flowing from the outer and inner compartments respectively into valve cavity 12. When the valve is in open position, the ingredients from each compartment flow through these metering orifices, past their respective sealing means and into the valve cavity. In a closed position, first and second sealing means serve to seal the first and second metering orifices. The first sealing means comprises a sealing ring 36 mounted on the upper portion of valve body 10 and having formed therein a central aperture 38. The valve stem 14 extends through and engages the lower peripheral edge 40 of aperture 38 and a portion of the under surface 42 of ring 36. More specifically, an outwardly extending annular flange 44 is integrally formed on valve stem 14 and is specifically configured to engage ring 36 in the manner described above for more effective sealing. The second sealing means comprises a sealing ball 46 integrally connected to seat 22 and normally positioned in sealing engagement with the second metering orifice 34 formed on the interior of protruding knob 35.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate another embodiment of the second sealing means. Instead of the ball 46, as shown in the structure of FIG. 1, this embodiment comprises an annular projection 48. It is specifically configured to surround, in sealing engagement, the second metering orifice 34.

Flow of ingredient into the body cavity 12, past the respective sealing means, is regulated by the relative movement and positions of stem 14 and valve stem seat 22. The spherical configuration of tail 26 is in mating configuration to socket 28, so that angular or tilting movement of valve stem 14, as indicated by directional arrow 52 in FIG. 2, causes breaking of the sealing engagement between sealing ring 36 and flange 44 of the valve stem. Due to the biasing force supplied by spring 16 and the inner action of tail portion 26 with socket 28, the valve seat 22 is also angularly displaced. This displacement breaks the sealing engagement between ball 46 or ring 48 and the second metering orifice 34. This allows both ingredients from the outer and inner compartments to simultaneously flow into the valve cavity 12 and into blending chamber 30 where they are intermixed immediately prior to being dispensed.

As shown by directional arrow 54 in FIG. 3, vertical displacement of valve stem 14 breaks the seal between stem 14 and sealing ring 36 thereby allowing the ingredient from the outer compartment to pass into the valve body cavity 12 and into blending chamber 30. In contrast, vertical displacement merely moves tail 26 deeper into socket 28 thereby preventing angular displacement of valve seat 22. The sealing engagement between ball 46 or ring 48 and the second metering orifice 34 is therefore maintained and there is no release of ingredient from the inner compartment.

The valve of this invention also have a safety feature which allows the venting of excess pressure from either or both compartments thereby preventing explosion of the entire container or damage to the valve itself. As shown in FIG. 4, any excess pressure within the outer or inner compartments causes an excess force to be exerted against the valve stem 14 and the sealing ball 46 or ring 48 respectively. This, in turn, causes movement of the valve stem and the valve stem seat towards one another, against the biasing force provided by valve spring 16. This has the effect of immediately venting the valve body cavity 12 to atmosphere and the excess pressure is thereby released.

The valve of the present invention incorporates another safety feature in its structure by constantly venting blending chamber 30 to atmosphere. This eliminates the danger of a blended product being trapped in the valve and rupturing it thereby causing total container blending and an explosion. More specifically, passage 56 formed in stem 14, is maintained in constant communication with chamber 30 regardless of the orientation of the stem. Since passage 56 is also positioned in direct communication with atmosphere by means of passage 58 on the interior of stem 14, all the product which has entered chamber 30 will exit the valve through stem 14.

The valve body has an outwardly projecting tube 62 with a dip tube 64 fitted thereon which communicates with the interior of the outer compartment. The valve body in the preferred form also has an integral depending skirt 66 to support the inner compartment 68 in a substantially concentric manner to the outer compartment. A dip tube tail 70 is also integrally formed on valve body 10 in concentric relation to the depending skirt 66. This dip tube tail 70 may receive the second dip tube 72 which communicates with the interior of the inner compartment.

It will thus be seen that the objects made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Claims

Now that the invention has been described, what is claimed is:

1. An aerosol valve of the type designed to dispense ingredients from one or both first and second compartments of a container, said valve comprising, in combination: a valve body with a cavity therein, a valve stem, and a valve stem seat movably mounted within said cavity, biasing means for said valve stem and valve stem seat, a blending chamber formed in said stem seat in constant communication with the surrounding atmosphere, first and second metering orifices in intercommunicating relation between said cavity and said first and second compartments respectively, a first and second sealing means for sealing said first and second metering orifices said valve stem being mounted within said cavity in movable relation to both said first sealing means and said valve stem seat such that flow from both said first and second compartments to said blending chamber is dependent upon the position of said valve stem relative to said first sealing means and said valve stem seat respectively.

2. An aerosol valve as in claim 1 wherein said blending chamber is formed in said valve seat in communicating relation with said valve stem irrespective of the relative orientation of said seat and said stem, whereby all ingredients entering said chamber are forced to exit said valve.

3. An aerosol valve as in claim 1 wherein said stem movably engages said valve stem seat such that angular movement of said valve stem relative to said valve body upsets said first and second sealing means to allow flow from said first and second compartments and vertical movement of said valve stem relative to said valve body upsets said first sealing means to allow flow from said first compartment.

4. An aerosol valve as in claim 1, wherein said first sealing means comprises a sealing ring mounted on said valve body in engagement with said valve stem, said biasing means arranged in engagement with both said valve stem and said valve stem seat such that said valve stem is biased into sealing engagement with said sealing ring, whereby flow from the first compartment is regulated; said second sealing means comprising a stud formed on said valve stem seat and positioned in sealing engagement with said second metering orifice, whereby flow from the second compartment is regulated.

5. An aerosol valve as in claim 4, wherein said second sealing means comprises a sealing ball positioned to at least partially enter said second metering orifice in sealing engagement therewith.

6. An aerosol valve as in claim 4, wherein second sealing means comprises an annular flange positioned to surround said second metering orifice in sealing engagement therewith.

7. An aerosol valve as in claim 1, further comprising a depending skirt connected to said valve body in supporting relation to at least one of said compartments, whereby said one compartment is connected to said valve body in intercommunicating relation with said cavity.

8. An aerosol valve as in claim 7, further comprising an outwardly extending tube integrally formed on said valve body, said tube including a passage defined on its interior, and arranged in intercommunicating relation between said first metering orifice and the first compartment.

9. An aerosol valve as in claim 7, wherein said second compartment is connected to said valve body by means of said depending skirt in substantially concentric relation with the first compartment.

10. An aerosol valve as in claim 1, wherein said valve stem movably engages said valve stem seat by means of a ball and socket connection defined by the engaging portions of said valve stem and valve stem seat, whereby said valve stem is capable of movement in both a vertical or angular direction relative to said stem seat.

11. An aerosol valve as in claim 10, wherein said ball and socket connection comprises said tail portion having a substantially spherical configuration, and a correspondingly shaped socket formed in said valve stem seat and positioned to movably engage said tail portion.

12. An aerosol valve as in claim 11, wherein said valve stem movably engages said first sealing means such that vertical movement of said valve stem along its own longitudinal axis causes disengagement of said valve stem from said first sealing means; whereby a flow is established from the first compartment to said chamber.

13. An aerosol valve as in claim 11, wherein said valve stem movably engages said valve stem seat such that angular movement of said valve stem relative to said valve stem seat disengages said second sealing means from said second metering orifice and said valve stem from said first sealing means; whereby flow is simultaneously established between said blending chamber and both the first and second compartments.