U.S. patent number 3,862,705 [Application Number 05/395,354] was granted by the patent office on 1975-01-28 for hand-held dispenser with mixing valve and pressurizing valve.
This patent grant is currently assigned to RCA Corporation. Invention is credited to Steven W. Beres, Carmelo Carrion, Jr..
United States Patent |
3,862,705 |
Beres , et al. |
January 28, 1975 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
HAND-HELD DISPENSER WITH MIXING VALVE AND PRESSURIZING VALVE
Abstract
A hand-held dispenser with multiple valves and multiple
containers wherein the discharge passages and propellant pressures
are controlled by the valves. An outer container, which is
pressurized, encloses another container or bag that is in a
practical manner subjected to internal pressures. A single,
especially simple, manually operable valve stem is reciprocatively
movable in a multi-chambered valve housing, said stem carrying a
valve shoulder or cup which simultaneously controls both the mixing
and the discharge of the liquids. The stem has a second, lower or
inner valve arranged to control the introduction of pressurized gas
to the interior of the inner container (which can be either
flexible and collapsible, or else rigid). The stem actuates both
valves simultaneously, thereby at one and the same time effecting
the internal pressurizing of the inner container and also the
mixing and discharge of the liquids of the dispenser.
Inventors: |
Beres; Steven W. (Bridgeport,
CT), Carrion, Jr.; Carmelo (Bridgeport, CT) |
Assignee: |
RCA Corporation (Greenwich,
CT)
|
Family
ID: |
23562687 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/395,354 |
Filed: |
September 7, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
83/682 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
83/14 (20060101); B65d 035/24 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/94,95,132,136,193 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Tollberg; Stanley H.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lehmann; H. Gibner Lehmann; K.
Gibner
Claims
I claim:
1. A valve construction for aerosol dispensers, comprising in
combination:
a. a pressurized container adapted to carry liquid propellant which
is convertible from a liquid to a gaseous state.
b. a valve housing carried by the container, said housing having an
annular valve seat in its upper portion,
c. a valve stem movable longitudinally in the housing and having a
valve shoulder cooperable with said seat and engaging the latter to
shut off flow therethrough when the stem is in a raised position in
the housing,
d. said housing having a bore and a bottom wall provided with a
hole communicating with the bore, said hole being in direct
communication with the upper portion of the interior of the
container,
e. said valve stem extending through said bore and bottomwall
hole,
f. said housing having a depending nipple which is adapted to be
connected to a liquid-carrying bag disposed within the container
and which has a passage communicating with the bore of the housing,
and
g. valving means on the valve stem, cooperable with the walls of
the bottom-wall hole to effect communication between the housing
bore and the interior area of the container when the stem is in a
lowered position in the housing thereby to transfer the vapor
pressure existing in the upper portion of said interior area to the
interior of the bag, said valving means blocking said communication
when the stem is in its raised position.
2. A valve construction as in claim 1, wherein:
a. the housing has a valving aperture communicating with its bore
and disposed in a wall thereof,
b. said stem having a valve element which covers and closes the
said aperture when the stem is in its raised position, and which
uncovers and opens the aperture when the stem is in its lowered
position,
c. a dip tube carried by the housing, and
d. means on the housing, providing a passage from the dip tube to
said aperture in the wall of the housing bore.
3. A valve construction as in claim 1, and further including:
a. a bag adapted to carry liquid and to be disposed within the
container of the dispenser, said bag being connected to said
depending nipple,
b. said housing having a valving opening communicating with its
bore and disposed in a wall thereof,
c. said stem having a valve member which covers and closes the said
opening when the stem is in its raised position, and which uncovers
and opens the opening when the stem is in its lowered position,
d. a dip tube structure carried by the housing, connected to said
bag and extending into the latter, and
e. means on the housing, providing a passage from the dip tube
structure to said opening in the wall of the housing bore.
4. A valve construction as in claim 1, wherein:
a. the valving means on the valve stem comprises a bottom stem
portion having a slot extending peripherally in it.
5. A valve construction for aerosol dispensers, comprising in
combination:
a. a pressurized container adapted to carry liquid propellant which
is convertible from a liquid to a gaseous state,
b. a valve housing carried by the container, said housing having an
annular valve seat in its upper portion,
c. a valve stem movable longitudinally in the housing and having a
valve shoulder cooperable with said seat and engaging the latter to
shut off flow therethrough when the stem is in a raised position in
the housing,
d. said housing having a bore and bottom wall provided with a hole
communicating with the bore, said hole being in direct
communication with the interior of the container,
e. said valve stem extending through said bore and bottom-wall
hole,
f. said housing having a depending nipple which is adapted to be
connected to a liquid-carrying bag disposed within the container
and which has a passage communicating with the bore of the housing,
and
g. valving means on the valve stem, cooperable with the walls of
the bottom-wall hole to effect communication between the housing
bore and the interior area of the container when the stem ia in a
lowered position in the housing thereby to transfer the pressure
existing in said interior area to the interior of the bag, said
valving means blocking said communication when the stem is in its
raised position,
h. the valve means on the valve stem comprising a bottom stem
portion having a slot extending peripherally in it,
i. said slot having a helical configuration.
6. A valve construction as in claim 5, wherein:
a. the bottom wall of the valve housing has a laterally offset
portion,
b. said bottom-wall hole being disposed in said offset portion.
7. A valve construction for aerosol dispensers, comprising in
combination:
a. a valve housing having an annular valve seat in its upper
portion,
b. a valve stem movable longitudinally in the housing and having a
valve shoulder cooperable with said seat and engaging the latter to
shut off flow therethrough when the stem is in a raised position in
the housing,
c. said housing having a bore and a bottom wall provided with a
hole communicating with the bore,
d. said valve stem extending through said bore and bottom-wall
hole,
said housing having a depending nipple which is adapted to be
connected to a liquid-carrying bag of the dispenser and which has a
passage communicating with the bore of the housing,
f. valving means on the valve stem, cooperable with the walls of
the bottom-wall hole to effect communication between the housing
bore and the exterior of the housing when the stem is in a lowered
position in the housing, said valving means blocking said
communication when the stem is in its raised position,
g. said housing having a valving aperture communicating with its
bore and disposed in a wall thereof,
h. said stem having a valve element which covers and closes the
said aperture when the stem is in its raised position, and which
uncovers and opens the aperture when the stem is in its lowered
position,
i. a dip tube carried by the housing, and
j. means on the housing, providing a passage from the dip tube to
said aperture in the wall of the housing bore,
k. said valve housing having an upper rim and a separate resilient
washer-like member engaged with said rim and constituting the
annular valve seat,
l. said valving aperture comprising a notch formed in said upper
rim.
8. A valve construction as in claim 7, wherein:
a. the valve element comprises a resilient cup carried by the stem,
the outer walls of which cup engage the walls of the bore of the
valve housing.
9. A valve construction as in claim 2, wherein:
a. the passage-providing means on the housing comprises a pair of
spaced-apart walls constituting a curved chamber,
b. one of said walls comprising a wall of the housing bore and the
other wall comprising an outer wall of the housing.
10. A valve construction for aerosol dispensers, comprising in
combination:
a. a valve housing having an annular valve seat in its upper
portion,
b. A valve stem movable longitudinally in the housing and having a
valve shoulder cooperable with said seat and engaging the latter to
shut off flow therethrough when the stem is in a raised position in
the housing,
c. said housing having a bore and a bottom wall provided with a
hole communicating with the bore,
d. said valve stem extending through said bore and bottom-wall
hole,
e. said housing having a depending nipple which is adapted to be
connected to a liquid-carrying bag of the dispenser and which has a
passage communicating with the bore of the housing,
f. valving means on the valve stem, cooperable with the walls of
the bottom-wall hole to effect communication between the housing
bore and the exterior of the housing when the stem is in a lowered
position in the housing, said valving means blocking said
communication when the stem is in its raised position,
g. a bag adapted to carry liquid and to be disposed within the
container of the dispenser, said bag being connected to said
depending nipple,
h. said housing having a valving opening communicating with its
bore and disposed in a wall thereof,
i. said stem having a valve member which covers and closes the said
opening when the stem is in its raised position, and which uncovers
and opens the opening when the stem is in its lowered position,
j. a dip tube structure carried by the housing, connected to said
bag and extending into the latter, and
k. means on the housing, providing a passage from the dip tube
structure to said opening in the wall of the housing bore,
l. said valve housing having an upper rim and a separate resilient
washer-like member engaged with said rim and constituting the
annular valve seat,
m. said opening comprising a cut formed in said upper rim.
11. A valve construction as in claim 10, wherein:
a. the valve member comprises a resilient cup carried by the stem,
the outer walls of which cup engage the walls of the bore of the
valve housing.
12. A valve construction as in claim 11, wherein:
a. the passage-providing means on the housing comprises a pair of
curved, concentric, spaced-apart walls one of which constitutes a
wall of the housing bore,
b. said walls forming a curved chamber in the housing and the other
of said walls constituting an outer wall of the housing.
13. A valve construction as in claim 1, wherein:
a. the housing has a valving aperture communicating with its bore
and disposed in a wall thereof,
b. said stem having a valve element which covers and closes the
said aperture when the stem is in its raised position, and which
uncovers and opens the aperture when the stem is in its lowered
position,
c. a dip tube carried by the housing,
d. means on the housing, providing a passage from the dip tube to
said aperture in the wall of the housing bore,
e. a bag adapted to carry liquid and to be disposed within the
container of the dispenser, said bag being connected to said
depending nipple,
f. said housing having a valving opening communicating with its
bore and disposed in a wall thereof,
g. said stem having a valve member which covers and closes the said
opening when the stem is in its raised position, and which uncovers
and opens the opening when the stem is in its lowered position,
h. a dip tube structure carried by the housing, connected to said
bag and extending into the latter, and
i. means on the housing, providing a passage from the dip tube
structure to said opening in the wall of the housing bore.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS IN THE FIELD
Copending application of Wolf Steiman and Steven Beres, entitled
"Aerosol Valve Construction For Dispensing Two Fluids," Ser. No.
153,170 filed June 15, 1971 and having common ownership with the
present application.
PRIOR ART OF INTEREST ______________________________________ (1)
U.S. Pat. No. 2,973,883 (7) U.S. Pat. No. 3,499,581 (2) U.S. Pat.
No. 3,217,936 (8) U.S. Pat. No. 3,503,539 (3) U.S. Pat. No.
3,241,722 (9) U.S. Pat. No. 3,525,997 (4) U.S. Pat. No. 3,272,389
(10) U.S. Pat. No. 3,543,965 (5) U.S. Pat. No. 3,352,056 (11) U.S.
Pat. No. 3,550,813 (6) U.S. Pat. No. 3,326,416 (12) U.S. Pat. No.
3,598,290 ______________________________________
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to small, hand-held pressurized dispensers
such as are used for shaving cream and the like. The invention
particularly involves a dispenser of the kind indicated, wherein
several different liquids are stored and kept separate, these
becoming mixed only during the dispensing action by a mixing valve
means.
A prior dispenser of shaving lather, which effects a mixing of two
separate liquids at the valve means to obtain a heating of the
lather, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,326,416. One liquid
suitable for such use is hydrogen peroxide, and the other liquid
can contain sodium hypophosphite or an equivalent chemical. The
reaction of these substances results in an exothermic, nonexplosive
decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide, which thereby supplies heat
to lathering ingredients to the end that the discharge comprises a
heated, foam-forming mixture of lather. Potassium sulfite may be
utilized to react with the hydrogen peroxide, instead of the sodium
hypophosphite, as well as other substances.
Different mixing valve arrangements are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos.
2,973,883; 3,217,936; 3,241,722; 3,272,389 and 3,325,056. While
these prior devices were operative in most circumstances and
enjoyed various degrees of success, the valves and dispensers as
shown were either complicated and costly, difficult to manufacture,
not fully reliable when in extended use, or else lacked convenience
of operation. Further, the inner bag or container, which carried
one of the liquids to be mixed, could not as a rule ever be
completely emptied of its contents as the dispenser was near the
end of its use. The valve arrangements had, as a rule, a
multiplicity of parts which necessitated considerable tooling,
inventories, and assembly labor. Where the movements were
complicated, or depended on critical values of resilience there
ensued unreliability of operation, malfunctioning, etc. If critical
dimensions were involved, there was as well the matter of added
cost.
In addition to the foregoing drawbacks, however, many of the prior
devices lacked a precise coordination of the flow through the
valves even though the valves were mechanically coupled and
therefore theoretically properly timed. Or, the prior devices
lacked means to prevent malfunctioning of the valves if they were
not mechanically coupled. Sometimes the prior dispensers were
susceptible to inadvertent operation when merely shaken. In
general, the reason for the lack of precise coordination of the
flows was due to the valves being of different types, as for
example where one was a poppet type and the other a slide or spool
type. The opening and flow characteristics of these different types
differed considerably, whereby the coordination suffered even
though there was a mechanical coupling of the valve actuators. As a
result there was at times a wasteful use of the several liquids
intended to be mixed. With valves which were not mechanically
coupled but depended on spring operation, there was a considerable
likelihood of inadvertent operation due to the splashing action of
the liquids against the valve parts, in the event the dispenser was
shaken or subjected to rough handling.
Besides the above shortcomings, prior co-dispensing valves and
containers were characterized by interior bags which had to be
collapsible in order that the contents thereof would be subjected
to the container pressures, to effect the desired discharge.
Flexible or collapsible bags sometimes worked loose from the
nipples to which they were secured. Also, it was often found that
complete collapsing of the bag could not be effected, resulting in
incomplete discharge of the bag contents. In some cases, in
addition, the plastic material of the bag as formulated to obtain
the necessary flexibility and collapsing characteristic was not
wholly compatible with the liquids which were to be dispensed. The
requirement that the interior bag or bags be flexible and
collapsible thus also represented a disadvantage, since the plastic
materials that were used did not have the required resistance to
the action of the liquids.
SUMMARY
The above disadvantages and drawbacks of prior, mixing-type
dispensers are obviated by the present invention, one object being
to provide a novel and improved, multiple-chamber dispenser and
semi-automatic mixing valve organization which effects an internal
pressurizing of the inner chamber or bag of the dispenser, in a
practical and simple manner by which there is eliminated the
likelihood of contamination of the multiple liquids. A related
object is to provide an improved, multiple-chamber dispenser as
above, which enables the inner container or containers to be
constituted either of flexible plastic by which they are
collapsible, or else constituted of rigid plastic by which they
need not be collapsible. The dispenser is unique by the provision
of an inner bag or container which is internally pressurized in
response to actuation of the same valve which controls the
discharge. In accomplishing this object, the invention provides for
pressurizing the inner bag by allowing propellant vapor to flow
into the same, from the propellant carried in the outer
container.
Another related object of this invention is to provide an improved
hand-held mixing-type dispenser as above characterized, which is
especially simple in its construction and fool-proof in operation,
thus achieving an especially low cost together with improved and
reliable performance.
The above objects are accomplished by a novel arrangement of valve,
valve housing and inner bag structure wherein essentially the
discharge, mixing and pressurizing functions are accomplished all
by a single, simple valve stem cooperating with seats in the valve
housing. The parts are constituted mostly of molded plastic
substance, the housing having multiple chambers one of which is a
central interior bore or chamber while the two remaining chambers
are in the form of annular halves surrounding and concentric with
the inner chamber. Short transverse walls isolate the outer
chambers from each other, said outer chambers having dip tubes
communicating one with an inner container and the other with the
space exterior to the inner container but enclosed by the outer
container. A channel or passage of the valve housing, which
communicates with the inner container, is continually in
communication with the housing bore, which latter can become
pressurized through a valving action of the stem by which it opens
the bore to gas pressure existing in the outer container. The
valves are of the slide and poppet type, in an arrangement which
makes for relatively few parts and low fabrication cost, together
with high performance.
Still other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.
In the accompanying drawings:
FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view of a mixing-type dispenser
embodying the invention, this view illustrating the structures of
the valve housing and stem with the latter in the closed,
nondispensing position.
FIG. 2 is a view somewhat like that of FIG. 1 but showing the valve
stem in the depressed, discharging and pressurizing position.
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the valve stem per se.
FIG. 4 is a top end view of the valve stem.
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the valve housing per se, the section
of FIG. 1 being taken on the line 1--1 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the valve housing per se.
FIG. 7 is an axial sectional view of the valve housing, taken on
the line 7--7 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 is an axial sectional view of the valve housing, taken on
the line 8--8 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the inner container or
bag.
FIG. 10 is a top end or plan view of the inner container or
bag.
Referring first to FIG. 1, the dispenser shown therein comprises an
outer container or can 10 having a dome-shaped top closure 12 which
carries a metal mounting cup 14 for a valve assemblage which is
designated generally by the numeral 16. The valve assemblage 16 has
an upright, vertically movable valve stem 18 which carries a
depress button 20 of usual type, guided in an outer cap 22 that is
mounted on the dome-like top closure 12. Depressing the button 20
as illustrated in FIG. 2 shifts the valve stem 18 downward to its
discharging and pressurizing position. The mixing products now pass
through the hollow upper portion 24 of the stem, and out through a
nozzle or orifice 26 of the button 20, as will be later explained
in more detail.
The valve assemblage includes a molded plastic valve housing 28
which has an annular outer wall 30 terminating at a thickened upper
rim 32 that is gripped by a crimped, central portion 34 of the
valve mounting cup 14. The rim 32 is clamped against a resilient
annular valve seat 36 having the shape of a flat washer which
underlies the central top wall 38 of the mounting cup. Both the
valve seat 36 and the top wall 38 have aligned central apertures
through which the hollow upper portion 24 of the valve stem 18
passes. A bore 40 of the valve stem communicates with side openings
42 which are normally sealed by the valve seat 36, the latter being
engaged by a poppet or shoulder 44 on the stem and the above
arrangement constituting a discharge valve in conjunction with a
resilient, plastic valve element or cup 46 which also engages the
undersurface of the seat 36 and constitutes a second, resilient
poppet. A locating shoulder 48 on the stem positions the element or
cup 46, these parts being rigidly affixed to each other.
By moving the stem 18, the valve cup 46 slides in a central bore 50
of the housing 28 formed by a cylindrical wall 52 which is
concentric within and spaced from the outer housing wall 30. A pair
of short transverse walls or partitions 54, 56 join the walls 52,
30 and form therewith two semi-circular or curved chambers 58, 60.
At its top edge the inner cylindrical wall 52 has a plurality of
cuts or notches 62, 64 and 66 which break the seal otherwise
established between the top edge of the wall 52 and the valve seat
36.
The notches 64, 66 are hereinafter also referred to as valving
apertures in the wall 52, and the notch 62 is referred to as a cut
or valving opening in the wall 52. It will be understood that seals
exist between the tops of the transverse walls or partitions 54, 56
and the valve seat 36, and that the latter seals against the top
rim portion 32 of the outer housing wall 30.
In accordance with the present invention the valve housing 28 has a
plurality of depending nipples 70, 72 and 74. The nipple 70 has a
passage 76 by which it communicates with the inner bore 50 of the
housing, by means of a small continuation of the passage 76
disposed in the bottom housing wall 78, which latter carries the
above three nipples. The nipple 72 communicates with the chamber 58
through an opening 80 provided in the bottom housing wall 78, and
the nipple 74 communicates with the chamber 60 through an opening
82 provided in the wall 78. The chamber 60 and its walls constitute
a means on the housing, providing a passage from the dip tube 74 to
the apertures 64, 66; also, the chamber 58 and its walls constitute
a means on the housing, providing a passage from the dip tube
structure 92 to the valving opening or cut 62. The nipple 74
carries dip tube 104 which occupies a part of the interior space in
the can or container 10, extending to the bottom of the
container.
As provided by the invention, the nipples 70, 72 mount a two-headed
bag or inner container 86 which is disposed within the can 10 and
which has neck portions 88 and 90 respectively receiving the
nipples 70, 72 with a tight fit. Additionally, the nipple 72 mounts
within it a dip tube structure 92 which extends to the bottom of
the bag 86.
The valve stem 18 has a valving means in the form of a solid lower
portion 94 the tip 96 of which is of reduced diameter and is
provided with a helical slot 98 constituting a gas passage.
Normally, with the stem 18 in the raised, non-discharging position
of FIG. 1 the lowermost solid stem portion 96 will occupy a hole
101 formed by a laterally offset, circular valve seat portion 100
of the housing bottom wall 78, such seat portion comprising a
bottom passage from the underside of the valve housing into the
central bore 50 thereof.
When the valve stem 18 is depressed as indicated in FIG. 2, the
helical slot 98 will provide a bypass passage through the hole 101
defined by the seat portion 100, enabling gas under pressure to
enter the central chamber 50 of the valve housing and to pass
through the passage 76 thereof and through the nipple 70 into the
upper portion of the bag 86. This will result in pressurizing the
interior of the bag, and will tend to force the liquid contents
thereof out of the bag through the dip tube 92 and the nipple 72,
into the semi-circular compartment 58. For the depressed position
of the valve stem 18 shown in FIG. 2 the cup valve element 46 will
have uncovered the valving opening 62 whereby such liquid from the
bag 18, forced into the chamber 58 can be discharged through said
opening and out through the passages 42 and bore 40 of the stem.
Also, the cup or valve element 46 has uncovered the valving
apertures 64, 66 which establish communication between the chambers
50 and 60, and liquid from the outer container or can 10 will pass
upward through a dip tube 104 carried by the nipple 74, into the
semi-circular chamber 60 and thence out through the apertures 64,
66 and valve passages 42, 40. Such liquid from the container will
thereby mix with the liquid which is being discharged from the bag
86, and the mixture will emerge from the spout 26 of the depressed
button 20.
In the case of reactive liquids, such as the hydrogen peroxide in
the bag 86 and the sodium hypophosphite in the can 10, the mixing
results in an exothermic decomposition of the peroxide whereby heat
is formed. Thus the discharged mixture will be quite hot and
suitable for use as a shaving lather.
It will now be seen from the foregoing that we have provided a
novel and improved mixing-type dispenser wherein the inner
container or bag need not be flexible and collapsible but instead
can be formed of rigid plastic substance having stable
characteristics by which chemical reaction with the dispensing
liquids is minimized. The single valve controlling the discharging
and the mixing also effects the entire pressurizing of the inner
container or bag whereby the latter can have a rigid structure if
desired, while still being capable of complete emptying.
The valve and valve housing are seen to be especially simple and
uncomplicated, the various parts being capable of being readily
molded of plastic substance whereby the entire assemblage can be
produced at low cost. The single valve stem, actuating both the
upper and lower valves, represents a practical arrangement which
permits propellant vapor to be introduced into the inner bag with
the least likelihood of contamination of either of the two liquids.
The invention provides a practical means for pressurizing the inner
bag by the propellant vapor which surrounds the upper portion
thereof, to the end that the internal pressurizing will enable
virtually all of the liquid contents of the inner bag to be used
up.
Variations and modifications are possible without departing from
the spirit of the invention.
* * * * *