Dispenser system for simultaneous dispensing of separately stored fluids

Abstract

A dispenser system for simultaneous dispensing of separately stored fluids which includes an outer container having a head structure including a top closure and a discharge outlet, and a product tube, commonly referred to as a dip tube providing at least in part a product path to the discharge outlet from the outer container; an inner container constituting a collapsible tube closed at the bottom about the dip tube and closed at the top about the valve housing in a manner that facilitates entry of the inner container into the outer container; fluid communicating means between the inner container and the discharge outlet; and separate valve means controlling flow from both the inner and outer container, which means are disposed in vertical alignment.

Parent Case Text

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 767,653 filed Oct. 15, 1968, abandoned in favor of the present application. These applications are directed to an improvement of U.S. Pat. No. 3,490,651, issued Jan. 20, 1970.

Description

The patent invention relates to a dispenser system for the simultaneous discharge of separately stored fluids. More particularly, the invention relates to a system capable of storing two fluids separately in a container and of dispensing both fluids at once with initial commingling thereof immediately before discharge.

The invention has its most immediate application in the relatively recent development of the hot lather or hot shave aerosols. In such a system, an aerosol can consist of two compartments -- one containing an oxidant such as hydrogen peroxide, and the other containing a reductant usually in combination with the lather and propellant. It is, of course, necessary to maintain the components separate until the lather is discharged, whereupon the commingling of the oxidant and reductant results in an exothermic reaction and heats the evolved shave cream. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,341,418.

The development of such systems has resulted in a need for aerosol dispensers capable at once of maintaining two compositions separate and of commingling and dispensing the compositions mixed. Aerosol dispensers constituting separate compartments have been used for some time, for example, to maintain a product and propellant separate (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,671,578; 2,689,065; and 2,689,768) or to discharge only a measured quantity of product (see for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,092,107 and 3,235,135). Some of the principles embodied in such devices have been adopted or revised in more recent developments of dispensing systems capable, to various degrees of efficiency, of discharging a mixture of separately stored products, such as those used in the hot shave aerosols (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,973,885; 3,045,925; 3,325,056; 3,326,416 and 3,217,936.)

One of the drawbacks of most, if not all, of the present dispensing systems of the type described is their generally complex and cumbersome nature, due usually to an involved system of valves, conduits and compartments. Often in order to minimize leakage between compartments -- and premature chemical reaction in the case of the hot shaves -- simplicity of design and component compatibility with other containers are sacrificed. Indeed, even with some of the complex dispensing systems, leakage and other shortcomings are not altogether eliminated.

The dispenser of the present invention is useful for dual products which are to be kept separate until after expulsion from the container. It has particular utility for coreactive products whose components are to be kept separate prior to dispensing to prevent unwanted or premature mutual effects, such as e.g. chemical reaction, alteration of physical properties, degredation of either product component, or other mutual incompatability. The products comprehended are usually liquids, pastes or foams, but may also be powders having fluid flow characteristics in the dispenser container.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a dispensing system of the type described that is at once simple and efficient. Another object is to provide a system that employs a minimum of special components and is, therefore, readily compatible with the assembly, filling, and handling techniques used with other types of aerosol dispensers. A further object is to provide a system which after assembly can be filled with products and propellant through the valve unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present dispensing system comprises (1) a primary or outer container having a head structure including a unitary valve assembly having primary and secondary valves disposed in vertical alignment controlling flow from the outer container and a secondary or inner container, respectively, said valve assembly having, in its preferred form, a valve stem extending through an opening in the mounting cup, which stem has separate flow lines connected to the respective flow lines leading from the inner and outer containers at one end and the discharge outlet at the other, a discharge outlet, a top closure to which is mounted the valve assembly, commonly called a "mounting cup," and a dip tube connected at one end to the lower portion of the valve assembly and to the contents of the outer container at the other; (2) a secondary or inner container, as further described below, constituting a collapsible tube closed at the bottom about the dip tube and closed at the top, in the most preferred form about the valve assembly, and (3) fluid communicating means between the secondary container and the discharge outlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view, in central vertical section, of a dispenser formed in accordance with the present invention, with the parts shown in nondispensing position.

FIG. 2 is a fragmental, cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 shown in the dispensing position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the secondary container element having a ferrule at one end and a star closure at the other end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As described briefly above, the present dispensing system comprises separate storage compartments and prevents commingling of the separated fluids until immediately before discharge.

The primary container -- storing, for example, soap, propellant and a reductant, in the case of a hot shave aerosol -- consists of an outer container or can, closed at the bottom in a conventional way and closed at the top with a head structure which includes a mounting cup of conventional design, a discharge valve assembly mounted in a cup; and a dip tube extending downwardly from the lower portion of the valve assembly to the outer container bottom. The secondary, or inner, container -- storing, for example, an oxidant, in the case of a hot shave aerosol -- consists of a closed collapsible tube sealed at the bottom about the dip tube. Fluid communicating passage means and a secondary valve are disposed in the flow path from the inner container to the discharge outlet.

With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a dispenser having a cylindrical primary container 10, having a bottom 12, shoulders 13, and a head structure, generally designated as "H." The head structure "H" forms a closure for the top opening in the primary container 10 and is connected to said container by attachment of mounting cup 14. The head structure "H" further includes a valve assembly, generally designated as 11, an actuator button 15 and dip tube 16. Located within primary container 10 is secondary container 17, consisting of collapsible tube 18, closed at the bottom by seal 19 about, and sealed onto a dip tube 16, and sealed at the top in a manner to be described more fully hereafter.

The valve assembly 11, mounted onto the cup 14, comprises two valves rigidly connected in tandem, a secondary valve generally designated as 20 controlling flow from the secondary container 17 to the actuator button 15 and a primary valve generally designated as 21 controlling the flow of fluid from the primary container 10 to said button 15.

The secondary valve 20 comprises a valve body 22 having an annular groove 23 formed therein. The annular groove 23 is formed with a downwardly tapered upper wall 24 and a radial lower wall 25 spaced from the upper wall 24 as described more fully in U.S. Pat. No. 2,631,814. A longitudinal passageway 26 extends downwardly from the upper surface 27 of the valve body 22 until it communicates with the groove 23. The lower portion 28 of the valve body 22 is provided with a recess or socket 29. The valve body 22 also has an axial bore 30 extending the length thereof.

The primary valve 21 has a valve body 31, of generally cylindrical form, which is recieved within the recess 29 of the valve body 22 and is fixedly held therein by any conventional means, such as an interference fit or solvent or heat welding. The valve body 31 is provided with an axial bore 32 extending from the top thereof downwardly to a point near, but spaced from, the bottom of the valve body 31, which bore 32 is in open communication with bore 30. A groove 33, similar in shape to the groove 23 in the valve body 22, is formed in the valve body 31 at a position adjacent to the lower end of the axial bore 32. A plurality of radial ports 34 connect the axial bore 32 with the groove 33.

The valve bodies 22 and 31 are disposed within a generally cylindrical valve housing 35, mounted within the pedestal portion 14' of the mounting cup 14. Fixedly mounted within the upper portion of the valve housing 35 is a sleeve 36 with an inwardly extending lower wall 37 having a central opening 38 therethrough. The central opening 38 has a diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the valve body 31 thus permitting sliding motion of the valve body 31 with respect to the sleeve 36. The sleeve 36 and housing 35 are provided with a plurality of radial ports 39 which are axially aligned when the sleeve 36 is mounted within the housing 35. The housing 35 is also provided with a sudden reduction or stepped configuration 40 displaced below the lower wall 37 of the sleeve 36 a distance less than the thickness of an annular valve gasket 41 which is compressed therebetween. A further annular valve gasket 41 is mounted between the upper end of the valve housing 35 and the top of the pedestal 14' to serve as a seal between the valve housing 35 and the top of the pedestal 14' as well as a cooperating sealing member with the valve body 22.

The sleeve 36, inner portion of gasket 42, lower portion of valve body 22 and upper portion of valve body 31 define a valve chamber 47, which chamber 47 is in open communication with the secondary container 17 through radial ports 39.

A spring 43 biases the valve bodies 22, 31 upwardly toward the nondispensing position. While FIGS. 1 and 2 show the spring 43 acting against the valve body 22, the spring could be placed in the lower part of the valve housing 35 and act upwardly against the valve body 31. The lower end of the housing 35 has a further reduction or stepped configuration 44 at its lower end to receive the dip tube 16 in frictional-fit relation.

The secondary container 17 is attached to the housing 35 through rigid ferrule 48. The ferrule 48 is formed with an inverted U-shaped side wall 49 which crimp-seals the upper end of the secondary container 17 therebetween. The ferrule 48 also is provided with an upwardly inclined top surface 50 having a central opening 51 therethrough. The diameter of the opening 51 initially is slightly greater than the outside diameter of the housing 35.

To mount the secondary container 17 onto the valve housing 35, the dip tube and housing 35 are slipped down through the opening 51 to its proper location and an annular tool (not shown) deflects the inner central portion of the surface 50 to crimp it against the housing 35 and actually bite into the plastic housing, thus providing a firm seal and attachment between the ferrule 48 and the housing 35.

The lower end of the secondary container 17 is closed and sealed about the dip tube 16 with a star configuration as illustrated in FIG. 3. The star configuration is formed by having a jig form and press together four, 90.degree. spaced flutes 52, 53, 54, 54 at the lower end of the secondary container 17 and feeding the dip tube 16 through the center thereof. The ends 56 of the four flutes which are folded together are then heat sealed together and the central portion is heat sealed to the dip tube, thus forming a hermetic seal 57. The advantage of this configuration over the diametral seal 22 illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,490,651 is that the greatest width dimension of the star seal configuration is significantly smaller than the greatest dimension of the diametral seal for a common diameter tube and is also smaller than the tube diameter. This simplifies insertion of the secondary container 17 through the top of the primary container 10 especially when it is desired to use a tube having a diameter approximately equal to that of the primary container opening.

METHOD OF OPERATION

To codispense the fluids in the primary container 10 and secondary container 20, the actuator button 15 is depressed causing the valve bodies 22, 31 to move jointly downwardly against the biasing spring 43 and further causing the tapered upper surface 24 to peel the inner portion of the gasket 42 outwardly from the groove 23 to thereby expose the passageway 26 to the secondary container 17. Simultaneously, the downward movement causes the tapered surface 45 to peel the inner portion of the gasket 41 outwardly from the groove 33 to thereby expose the radial ports 34. Depression of the actuator button 15 provides direct flow communication from the secondary container 17 to the inner chamber 46 of the actuator button 15 through the housing radial ports 39, the valve chamber 47 and the longitudinal passageway 26, while simultaneously the fluid in the primary container 10 is forced upwardly through the dip tube 16, through the radial ports 34, the axial bores 32, 30 and into the inner chamber 46 where that fluid intermixes with the fluid from the secondary container. Both fluids are then discharged through the discharge orifice 58.

In general, the relative dimensions of the primary and secondary containers will, of course, depend upon the aerosol compositions to be used. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the diameter of the secondary container is approximately that of the mounting cup, and the volume of the container is varied as desired, by changing the length of the container. It is possible, however, to alter the secondary container's volume by changing its shape or diameter or both, as well. For example, a secondary container having longitudinal pleats may be used. Upon filling, the pleats will open to enlarge the volume of the secondary container.

Suitable materials for the collapsible tube of the secondary container include flexible synthetic films, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamides or the like. The essential requirements of the tubing used for the secondary container are that it be collapsible, and substantially impermeable and inert to the components of the system. Also, the container should not be so rigid as to provide substantial resistance to compression. Preferably, also, the secondary containers and the dip tube are made of the same material, to facilitate formation of the bond between the two.

A feature of the codispenser is the facilitation of the assembly of the inner container within the outer container. With the valve assembly of this invention, the inner container may be assembled in place in the outer container prior to filling either container. By means of a simple adapter mounted on existing filling head equipment, one of the passages in the valve stem may be blocked while the other is open for filling therethrough. For example, with the device shown in FIG. 1, the inner and outer container may be assembled. Then, by means of an adapter, the central passage 30 which communicates with the interior of the outer container through the passage 32, valve body 33, opening 34 and dip tube 16 may be blocked and the inner container may be filled through passage 26, valve chamber 47 and radial ports 39. Conversely, an adapter may be used to block passage 26 and the outer container be filled through passage 30 prior to filling of the inner container. Both containers can be filled simultaneously with an appropriate adapter having separate passages for separate communciation with the valve stem passages.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A dispensing system for simultaneously dispensing separately stored fluids including:

a. a primary container having a top opening and being suitable for storing a first fluid under superatmospheric dispensing pressure;

b. a head structure for closing the top opening in the primary container including a valve assembly having a single stem portion extending through the top opening in the primary container and having primary and secondary valves for controlling flow from primary and secondary containers, respectively, through the valve stem, the valve assembly having separate flow passages extending from the downstream side of each valve longitudinally through the valve stem to the exterior of the primary container;

c. a flexible secondary container disposed within said primary container for storing a second fluid and supported within said primary container by the valve assembly; and

d. a conduit connected at one end to the valve assembly and extending through the flexible secondary container into the primary container, said conduit being in sealed relation with the flexible container at the point where it passes through said container,

the valve assembly comprising a valve housing, a movable member having primary and secondary valve bodies and the valve stem, and resilient sealing gaskets for establishing sealing engagement with the valve bodies, the movable member having separate flow passages extending from the region of sealing engagement of the valve bodies through the valve stem,

the movable member being of separate upper and lower portions, said upper portion having the secondary valve body and a stem extending through a top opening in the primary container and further having a socket in its bottom for receiving the lower portion of the movable member, said lower portion having the primary valve body, and a passage extending through both the upper and lower portions which passage communicates with the primary container through the primary valve body and conduit.