Reciprocating Valve Assembly For Pressurized Containers

Abstract

A valve assembly for a pressurized container including an elongated valve body having one end mounted on a container and the other end having an exit orifice, said valve body forming a chamber adjacent the exit orifice, a piston mounted for sliding movement in the valve body and having a longitudinally extending bore therein with one end in fluid flow communication with the interior of the container and the other end having radially extending ports in fluid flow communication with the chamber. The piston has a nose portion for sealing the exit orifice, and it is of stepped configuration in order to utilize internal pressure from the container for urging it towards its closed position.

Description

This invention relates to pressurized containers, and more particularly to valve means for dispensing a product therefrom.

Heretofore, propellants have been employed for dispensing a product from a container in the form of an aerosol, for example. Generally, such containers are equipped with an external actuator which engages the valve stem of a valve mechanism mounted inside the container. When an operator manipulates the actuator, it serves to depress the valve stem and thereby open the valve mechanism for discharging product from the container. Upon release of the actuator, a spring inside the container serves to close the valve mechanism and prevent further release of the product. Actuators are known, which in addition to depressing the valve stem, also provide a discharge orifice or nozzle through which the product is dispensed in a controlled manner. Such an assembly is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,361,301, issued Jan. 2, 1968, for example. In the structure of this patent, a plug is employed which operates in association with the valve stem of a conventional internal valve and in addition serves to wipe the inside of the discharge orifice when moving towards its non-dispensing position to clean and prevent clogging thereof. However, the overall valve and actuator assembly is rather complex and requires a large number of interrelated parts, thereby providing an assembly which is time-consuming and expensive to manufacture. Other related patents in this art include U.S. Pat. No. 2,821,193 issued Jan. 28, 1958; U.S. Pat. No. 3,584,789 issued June 15, 1971; U.S. Pat. No. 3,176,889 issued Apr. 6, 1965; U.S. Pat. No. 3,506,165 issued Apr. 14, 1970; U.S. Pat. No. 3,506,165 issued Apr. 14, 1970; U.S. Pat. No. 3,515,316 issued June 2, 1970; U.S. Pat. No. 3,489,323 issued Jan. 13, 1970; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,351,247 issued Nov. 7, 1967.

It will be particularly appreciated that the dispensing assembly for aerosol packages is fairly complex and, therefore, represents an important element of the cost of manufacture. I have contributed to the state of the art, by way of my invention, a simpler and less costly construction. The new and improved dispensing means, according to the present invention, includes an elongated valve body having one end fixedly mounted on a container and the other end thereof being provided with an exit orifice and a chamber adjacent thereto. A piston is mounted for sliding movement in the valve body and is provided with a longitudinally extending bore therein, with one end in fluid flow communication with the contents of the container, while the other end has radially extending ports in fluid flow communication with the chamber in the valve body. The piston has a plug or nose portion for closing the exit orifice and is also provided with a sliding seal cooperating with the valve body to form the inner wall of the chamber. The piston has a stepped configuration in order to utilize internal pressure from the container for closure of the exit orifice. In one form of the invention, an actuator is mounted externally of the valve body and has a portion extending through an opening in the valve body for moving the piston to its valve open position. It will thus be appreciated that Applicant has eliminated the necessity of using a conventional valve, mounted in the upper portion of the container, and its attendant spring closure means.

There has thus been outlined rather broadly the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described more fully hereinafter. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception on which the disclosure is based may readily be utilized as the basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the purposes of the invention. It is important, therefore, that this disclosure be regarded as including such equivalent constructions that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Several embodiments of the invention have been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and are shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pressurized package constructed according to the concept of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line indicated at 2--2 in FIG. 1, and showing details of the dispensing means, when in its closed position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, perspective view partially broken away to reveal the interconnection of the actuating member and the piston;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, sectional view taken along the line indicated at 4--4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, vertical cross-sectional view of the pressurized package similar to FIG. 2, but showing the dispensing means, when in its open position; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, vertical cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the tip structure of the pressurized package.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention there is shown a pressurized package comprising a container 10, FIG. 1, having a dispensing means, indicated generally at 12. The upper end of the container is closed by means of a valve cup 14, which, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, has an inner edge that is interposed between valve body 16 and an internal seal member 18. The valve body 16 is held firmly in place between crimp 19 and curl 20 of the valve cup 14.

The valve body 16 has an elongated tubular upper portion 21, which extends upwardly from the container and includes a tapered upper end 22, having an exit orifice 24 through which the product is discharged. A piston, indicated generally at 26, is mounted for sliding movement inside the valve body 16 and comprises an inner portion 28, a medial portion 30 and an outer portion 32. The seal member 18 is provided with a downwardly directed tapered portion 34, which serves as a sliding seal in cooperation with the outside wall of inner portion 28 of the piston to prevent leakage of the product outwardly from the container into the space 36 between the inner portion of the piston and the valve body 16.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the outer portion 32 of the piston 26 is provided with a plug or nose portion 38, which seals the exit orifice 24, when the valve is in its closed position. It will be particularly appreciated that this valve employs only one seal to control the dispensing of the product from the container, which is located at the exit orifice 24. This seal produces a sharp cut-off of the product and excludes any air from contact with the product within the pressurized chamber. In addition, during closure the wiping action of the nose portion against the walls of the valve body in the exit orifice serves to prevent clogging or buildup of material therein.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a tip structure according to my invention, which incorporates a slant seal. The plug or nose portion 38' of the piston 26' is provided with a slanted or inwardly tapered wall which engages a mating tapered inner wall 39' of the exit orifice 24', when the valve is in its closed position. Sealing movement of the piston is stopped by the engagement of the mating tapered surfaces, thereby providing a very effective seal.

Referring further to FIG. 2, the outer portion 32 of the piston 26 has a smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of the adjacent upper portion 21 of the valve body 16, thereby forming a chamber 39 therebetween. The outer portion 32 of the piston 26 has a tapered projection 40 which forms a sliding seal in cooperation with the inside surface of the upper portion 21 of the valve body 16, thereby forming the inner wall of the chamber 39 and, hence, preventing leakage of the product between the outside of the piston 26 and the inside of the upper portion 21 of the valve body.

The valve structure of the present invention further comprises an actuator 42 having an internal threaded portion 44, FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. Interposed between the inner portion 28 and the medial portion 30 is a longitudinally extending rib portion 45 carrying a threaded portion 46 which mates with the threaded portion 44 of the actuator 42, thereby providing a positive connection between the piston and the actuator for purposes of manually moving the piston to its valve open position. The support portion 21 of the valve body 16 has vertically extending slots 48 to accommodate the ribs 45, as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5.

In operation, when the actuator 42 is depressed, as indicated by arrow 52, the piston 26 moves to its downward position with respect to the valve body 16, as viewed in FIG. 5. Pressurized product from the container flows upwardly through an internal bore 54 in the piston 26, as indicated by arrows 56. Thence, the product flows outwardly through radial openings 58 in the piston into the chamber 39, from whence it is discharged through the exit orifice 24, as indicated by arrow 60. When it is desired to terminate the flow of product, pressure on the actuator 42 is terminated and the force of the product under pressure acts against the piston 26 to move it to its closed position, as seen in FIG. 2, wherein the nose portion 38 of the piston seals the exit orifice 24. It will be particularly appreciated that the piston is of stepped construction having a first diameter as indicated at 62, FIG. 2 and a second, smaller diameter, as indicated at 64, FIG. 2. This provides a first effective piston area, corresponding to the first diameter, which is subjected to internal pressure from within the container to urge the piston upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 2, towards its closed position, and a second smaller effective piston area, corresponding to the second diameter, which is subject to back pressure to urge the piston downwardly, as viewed in FIG. 2, towards its open position. The two opposing forces are selected so that the closure force is greater than the opening force. This force differential is overcome by the user when he actuates the actuator 42 to discharge the product. However, the two forces are so selected as to produce a comfortable actuating pressure by the user.

It will thus be seen that the present invention provides an improved valve for pressurized containers, which is superior in simplicity, operability, and efficiency as compared to prior art such devices. The valve structure of this invention is particularly adapted, among many other possible uses, for use with caulking compounds, adhesives, toothpaste and food products, for example.

Although certain particular embodiments of the invention are herein disclosed for purposes of explanation, various modifications thereof, after study of this specification, will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

Claims

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A valve assembly for a pressurized container comprising an elongated valve body adapted to have one end fixedly mounted on a container and the other end having an exit orifice, said valve body forming a chamber adjacent said exit orifice, a piston mounted for sliding movement in said valve body and having a longitudinally extending bore therein with one end adapted for fluid flow communication with the interior of the container and the other end having radially extended ports in fluid flow communication with said chamber, said piston having an outermost nose portion, said piston being slidable from an extended position at which said nose portion seals said exit orifice to a retracted position at which said nose portion is away from said exit orifice permitting contents of said container to exit through said orifice after passage through said bore, said radially extending ports and said chamber, sealing means for sealing said piston with respect to said valve body to form an inner wall of said chamber, second sealing means adapted for sealing said piston with respect to said container, said piston being of stepped configuration to utilize internal pressure from the container for sealing said exit orifice.

2. A valve assembly for a pressurized container comprising an elongated valve body adapted to have one end fixedly mounted on a container and the other end having an exit orifice, said valve body forming a chamber adjacent said exit orifice, a piston mounted for sliding movement in said valve body and having a longitudinally extending bore therein with one end adapted for fluid flow communication with said chamber, said piston having a nose portion for sealing said exit orifice, sealing means for sealing said piston with respect to said valve body to form an inner wall of said chamber, second sealing means adapted for sealing said piston with respect to said container, said piston being of stepped configuration to utilize internal pressure from the container for sealing said exit orifice, and an actuator mounted externally of the valve body having a portion extending through an opening in said valve body for moving the piston to its valve open position.

3. A valve assembly for a pressurized container comprising an elongated valve body adapted to have one end connected to the upper end of a container and the other end having an exit orifice, said valve body forming a chamber adjacent said exit orifice, a piston mounted for sliding movement in the valve body, said piston having a longitudinally extending bore therein with one end adapted for fluid flow communication with the interior of the container and the other end having radially extending ports in fluid flow communication with said chamber, said piston having a nose portion for sealing said exit orifice, said piston having means for providing a sliding seal with the valve body to form the inner wall of said chamber, said piston having sealing means adapted for providing a sliding seal with said container, said piston having a first effective area adapted for being subjected to internal pressure from the container to urge said piston towards its closed position and said piston having a second effective area adapted for being subjected to back pressure to urge said piston towards its open position, said first effective area being greater than said second effective area, an actuator mounted externally of the valve body having a portion extending through an opening in said valve body for moving the piston to its valve open position.

4. A valve assembly for a pressurized container according to claim 3 wherein said actuator has an internal threaded portion, and said piston has an inner portion and a medial portion, a longitudinally extending rib portion interposed between said inner portion and said medial portion carrying a threaded portion which mates with said threaded portion of the actuator, said valve body having vertically extending slots to accommodate said ribs.

5. A valve assembly for a pressurized container according to claim 3 wherein said exit orifice has a diametrically inwardly tapered wall in the direction of discharge, and wherein said nose portion has a mating tapered wall for sealing said exit orifice when the valve is in its closed position.

6. A valve assembly for a pressurized container comprising an elongated valve body adapted to have one end fixedly mounted on a container and the other end having an exit orifice, said valve body forming a chamber adjacent said exit orifice, a piston mounted for sliding movement in said valve body, and having a longitudinally extending bore therein with one end adapted for fluid flow communication with the interior of the container and the other end having radially extending ports in fluid flow communication with said chamber, said piston having a nose portion for sealing said exit orifice, first sealing means for sealing said piston with respect to said container, second sealing means adapted for sealing said piston with respect to said valve body to form an inner wall of said chamber, said piston having a first diameter adjacent said first sealing means and a second diameter adjacent said second sealing means, said first diameter being greater than said second diameter, whereby the internal pressure from the container is adapted to urge said piston to seal the exit orifice, an actuator mounted externally of said valve body having a portion extending through an opening in said valve body for moving the piston to valve open position.

7. A pressurized package comprising a container, a valve cup carried at the upper end of said container, an elongated valve body, an internal seal member, said valve cup having a curl portion and a crimp portion interposed between said internal seal member and said valve body to seal said seal member with respect to said valve cup and said valve cup with respect to said valve body, the other end of said valve body having an exit orifice, said valve body forming a chamber adjacent said exit orifice, a piston mounted for sliding movement in said valve body, and having a longitudinally extending bore therein with one end in fluid flow communication with the interior of the container and the other end having radially extending ports in fluid flow communication with said chamber, said piston having a nose portion for sealing said exit orifice, said piston having a tapered projection for engaging and forming a sliding seal with said valve body to form an inner wall of said chamber, said internal seal member having a tapered projection for engaging and forming a sliding seal with said piston, said piston having a first diameter at its tapered projection and a second diameter adjacent the tapered projection of said internal seal member, said second diameter being greater than said first diameter whereby the internal pressure from the container urges said piston to seal the exit orifice, an actuator having an internal threaded portion, said piston having an inner portion and a medial portion, a longitudinally extending rib portion interposed between said inner portion and said medial portion carrying a threaded portion which mates with said threaded portion of the actuator, the upper portion of said valve body having vertically extending slots to accomodate said ribs.

8. A pressurized package comprising a container and a valve assembly mounted on said container, said valve assembly comprising an elongated valve body having one end connected to the upper end of the container and the other end having an exit orifice, said valve body forming a chamber adjacent said exit orifice, a piston mounted for sliding movement in the valve body, said piston having a longitudinally extending bore therein with one end in fluid flow communication with the interior of the container and the other end having radially extending ports in fluid flow communication with said chamber, said piston having a nose portion for sealing said exit orifice, said piston having means for providing a sliding seal with the valve body to form the inner wall of said chamber, said piston having sealing means for providing a sliding seal with said container, said piston having a first effective area subjected to internal pressure from the container to urge said piston towards its closed position and said piston having a second effective area subjected to back pressure to urge said piston towards its open position, said first effective area being greater than said second effective area.

9. A pressurized package comprising a container and a valve assembly mounted on said container, said valve assembly comprising an elongated valve body having one end fixedly mounted on a container and the other end having an exit orifice, said valve body forming a chamber adjacent said exit orifice, a piston mounted for sliding movement in said valve body, and having a longitudinally extending bore therein with one end in fluid flow communication with the interior of the container and the other end having radially extending ports in fluid flow communication with said chamber, said piston having a nose portion for sealing said exit orifice, first sealing means for sealing said piston with respect to said container, second sealing means for sealing said piston with respect to said valve body to form an inner wall of said chamber, said piston having a first diameter adjacent said first sealing means and a second diameter adjacent said second sealing means, said first diameter being greater than said first diameter, whereby the internal pressure from the container urges said piston to seal the exit orifice, an actuator mounted externally of said valve body having a portion extending through an opening in said valve body for moving the piston to valve open position.

10. A pressurized package according to claim 9, wherein said exit orifice has a diametrically inwardly tapered wall in the direction of discharge, and wherein said nose portion has a mating tapered wall for sealing said exit orifice when the valve assembly is in its closed position.