CA1049978A - Dispenser with expansible bladder with vapor phase component - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure:
In a dispenser of the expansible membrane or bladder type wherein fluid to be dispensed is contained therein, the improvement which comprises a valve body member utilized in the dispenser construction of sufficient length so as to be submerged within the contained fluid at all times and wherein an amount of vapor or gas is included within the expansible bladder or membrane so as to permit ready mixing of the stored fluid.

Description

~049978 . Background of the Invention:
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It is well known that it is difficult to mix . two or more immiscible liquids or a liquid with finely divided solids in a completely full, closed container 15. by subjecting the container to shaking or vibratory forces.
The reason why it is difficult to obtain true homogeneity of the mixture is that the various components making up the mixture have little or no space in which to move, ` thereby limiting the velocity which may be imparted : 20. to the individual components making up the mixture and particularly to particles thereof which limits the inter-, mingling or dispersion of one component of the mixture -, with the other so as to provide a mixture o~ homogeneous composition.
.., 25. In some known prior art dispensing devices, :l it is known to use an eductor or dip tube which connects ' 1 , .. .
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to the exit orifice of the dispenser and e~tends downwardly within the container used to house the liquid phase o~ the product. ~lowever, when such dispenser is operated in an inverted position, the 5. gaseous component or vapor within the dispenser container rises toward the open end of the eductor tube and in all likelihood is discharged in preference to the liquid product. This occurs because of th6 difference in density between the vapor phase and 10. liquid phase of the stored materials.
Several methods are currently in use, particularly in aerosol containers, to overcome vapor loss during dispensing in any or all positions of the dispenser. One is to utilize a double eductor tube 15. arrangement where the lower two ends are connected to a check valve member and one upper end is connected to the exit orifice. The second upper end s open to the interior of the container and in use, the ball check valve transfers from one position to the other as the 20. container is rotated about its axis selecting automatically to open and close entry ports so that only liquid or fluid product is fed to the eductor tube leading to the exit orifice.
Another prior art expedient is to place ;25. a ball check valve between the eductor tube and the exit orifice which performs essentially the same function as .

10~997~3 immediately dcscribed above so as to dispense liquid or fluid products as opposed to the vapor or gas contained within the dispenser.
In the type of dispenser utilizing expansible 5. membranes or bladders, in which product is stored and wherein the elastic memory of the bladder or an externally applied force is utilized to dispense the products without utilization of pressurized gases (as is normally found in the conventional aerosol dispenser), 10. and in particular, the Roper, et al. Patents No. 3,672,543, 3,738,538 and Venus Patents No. 3,791,537 and more particularly, 3,876,115, one or more expansible members, bladders or membranes are utilized having a particular and specific val~ing arrangement wherein a fluid product 15. is stored in one of the expansible bladders. In containers of this type it ~ desirable to provide a vapor head phase of sufficient volume which will permit intimate admixing of the fluid phase or liquid product contained within the expansible membrane.
20. The immediately described expansible member dispensers comprise essentially a closed container wherein the enclosing walls continually conform to the shape and volume of the contained product. Because no air is allowed to enter the interior as the product 25. is dispensed, as would be the case with a container . open to the atmosphere, a head space or space for a . ~ , 104g97~3 vapor ph~se is never formcd.
In the herein disclosed invention, a head space can be provided and retained without loss of the gas or vapor while dispensing, regardless of the 5. position in which the container is held during dispensing of the product. By introducing a controlled amount of vapor or gas either before, during or after the product is introduced, and by forming a conduit passageway or communication which is always submerged in the liquid 10. phase or fluid product, it is possible to provide a dispenser which has sufficient head space to allow intimate admixture of the contained product as by vigorous shaking or vibration of the dispenser.
Obiects and Summary of the Invention:
15. It is an object of the invention to provide an improved dispenser of the expansible member or bladder type.
It is still another i~portant object of the invention to provide a dispenser of the expansible 20. bladder type wherein a vapor phase is provided which allows for intimate admixture of the fluid product contained within the dispenser.
; It is still another and more specific object of the invention to provide an improvement to dispensers 25. of the expansible bladder type wherein a head space or ~' ...

10g9978 vapor phase is provided which allows for homogeneous mixing of the contained product in the dispenser and dispensing thereof without substantial loss of the vapor head space.
5. It is still another and more specific object of the invention to provide a dispenser of the expansible ; bladder type wherein a vapor phase is provided to allow intimate admixing of the stored fluid as by shaking.
It is another even more specific object of 10........ the invention to provide a dispenser utilizing an expansible bladder or membrane which includes a liquid and vapor phase wherein a dispensing conduit is provided which is ^ always submerged in the liquid phase so as to prevent -discharge of the vapor phase.
~ 15. In an exemplary ~mbodiment, the invention is :1 directed to a dispenser of the expansible membxane type wherein the product to be dispensed therefrom is dispensed by the exertion of inherent restoring forces of the expansible membrane,or by externally applied forces to 20. said expansible member, and wherein the improvement comprises a fluid conduit defining a communication between the interior of said expansible membrane and the exterior of said dispenser of sufficient length to always terminate below the product level of the product stored in said '25. expansible membrane for all levels thereof, and a quantity . . ~, ,. .
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i of gaseous fluid disposed in said expansible membrane in an amount sufficient ~o form a vapor head space to allow mi~ing of said product in said expansible membrane upon motion of said dispenser.
5. Other objects and ad~antages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawings which are for the purpose of illustration only.
Brie~ Description of ~he Drawings-10. FIG. 1 is a side view of the modular sub-assembly of the dispenser of this invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial view in cross-section of the sub-assembly depicted in FIG. 1 and taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. l;
15. FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
. FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial view in cross-section of a typical sub-assembly as would be utilized in prior art devices to which this invention is . 20. direclted;
; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the total dispenser of this invention illustrating a liquid product and vapor phase when the dispenser of the invention is , in the upright position;
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~04997~
FIGo 6 illustrates the dispenser of the invention in the inverted position' FIGo 7 illustrates the dispenser of the invention in a horizontal position, and FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are correlative illustrations to those of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 showing the dispenser of the invention after partial evacuation of the liquid stored product and : still illustrating the efficacy of the dispensers of the : invention with regard to retention of the vapor phase or vapor head in the expansible bladder.
Description of the Best Embodiments Contemplated:
. Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals , of reference designate like elements throughout, the appli-, cability of the herein disclosed invention will be directed specifically to the type of expansible bladder container of the type disclosed, illustrated and claimed in Venus et al, U. S. Patent ~o. 3,876,115, but is not to be limited speci-fically to that constructions inasmuch as the invention has applicability specifically to any type of dispenser utilizing an expansible member, bladder or membrane in which fluid is to be stored and dispensed therefrom.
The dispenser 2 is shown as comprising a container body 4 in the preferred form of moldable :: `

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~' , , ' plastic wherein the walls thereof form a neck portion 6 and an interior cavity or chamber 8 with the bottom interior wall thereof being formed by a base 10, thereby forming an enclosed physical barrier or container 12.
5. Supported on neck 8 is modular sub-assembly 14, the specific elements of which will be later described.
Also supported on the neck 6 is cover me~ber 16 of the usual type, having a fluid passageway 18 formed by the walls of member 16 and communicating the exterior 20 10. to the inlet 22 which is in communication with the modular valve sub-assembly 14 and more specifically, the fluid pathway or communication 24.
The cover 16 may be of molded plastic and is retained on the neck 6 and is depressible with respect 15. thereto in order to actuate the valve disc member or component of modular sub-assembly 14 in order to effectively -dispense product contained within the d.spenser 2 as will become apparent.
The valve sub-assembly 14' as shown in FIG. 4 20. is of the type illustrated in the aforesaid Patent No.
3,876,115, modified in keeping with the practice of the invention. Specifically, the sub-assembly 14 is received within the neck portion 6 of dispenser 2 and comprises in assemblage a ferrule member 26 of thin wall deformable material, .. . .

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1049g78 aluminum for example, generally cylindrical design, havin~ an orifice portion 28 communicating to the inlet 22 of passageway 18 of cover member 16. Ferrule . member 26 may be within the thickness o' about 0.0200"
5. so that the lower portion 30 and the upper portion 32 may be crimped or bent as shown in FIG. 2 after assemblage of the modular sub-assembly 14 to form a unitary sub-component.
An upper portion 34 of ferrule member 26 is -. 10. of cylindrical configuration to provide an interior reces~ to receive annular cover plate number 36, having a central orifice 38 below which is disposed gasket or seat member 40 of conformable material having a central aperture 42 forming a part of the 15. fluid passageway for product which is to be contained in dispenser 2. Ferrule member 26 has a depending exterior wall to retain in secured relationship annular Il snap ring 44 which has spaced depending skirt portion 45 : with spaced nibs 47 on its lower periphery for snap action . 20. retention with the neck 6 of dispenser 2. Retained also within the modular sub-assembly 14 is valve body member 46 having an upper collar portion 48 and a lower extending . fluid communication portion 50 of sufficient length so : ~hat the terminus thereof is always below the fluid level : 25. of the product 52 contained wiff~n the dispenser 2. ~hile , . .

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valve body member 46 is shown as being integral with portion 50, it is obvious that a prior art valve body such as 46' may be modified in the practice of this invention to frictionally or otherwise receive a separate 5. elongate cylindrical portion corresponding to fluid communication portion 50 previously described, insuring that the length thereof is sufficient to achieve the end results of the herein disclosed invention. The combination of the ferrule member 26 coacting with snap ring 44 and the 10. exterior upper wall portion 51 of valve body member 46 acts to securely retain first expansible bladder 54 and second expansible bladder 56, the bladder 54 in this instance being utilized to provide most of the expulsion force to the fluid or product 52 lS. contained within dispenser 2 and the second or inner bladder or membrane 56 being provided to form an impermeable container for the product 52 as is apparent from the drawing~.
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It should be noted that the applicability 20. of the herein invention need not have two expansible membranes or bladders such as 54 and 56 and in some instances, a single bladder such as 56 to retain the product 52 will be sufficient, and in other instances an additional member to exert expelling forces on the 25. bladder 56 may be desirable and preferable.

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` --10--~' ~049g78 Retained in the assemblage 14 is mandrel member 58 which may be of molded plastic and is cruciform in cross-section (FIG. 3) having ribs 60 symmetrically arranged therehy forming flow path 62 therebetween to ;5. allow for fluid or material flow into (during the filling operation) and from within the expansible bladder 56 through the valve assemblage 14 into the outlet 24 and thence to the inlet 22 of cover member 16 to be expelled via exit or orifice 20. The mandrel 58 ~10. is slightly longer than the expansible members 54 :~ and 56 so as to impart some prestressing to the bladders or expansible members in order to achieve ~ substantial expulsion of the product 52 contained `. within the second bladder or membrane 56.
15. A valve disc member 64 having an annular portion 66 with outer cylindrical portion 68 terminating in annular sealing lip or edge 70 provides the manipulable valve seating component of the valve . assemblage to allow dispensing of flowable substances 20. contained within the bladder 56 of dispenser 2. The sealing lip or edge 70 of outer cylindrical portion 68 of valve disc member 64, which is axially shiftable . into and out of fluid tight relationship with the undersurface of gasket member 40, permits fluid or ;~25. flowable substances to flow about and around the sealing :, ~, .

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lip ~or edge 70.
The undersurface 72 of valve disc member 64 is configured to receive in retained cooperation coil spring me~ber 74, which coil spring acts against the 5. under surface 72 of member 64 and the upper surface 76 of mandrel member 58 so that coil spring 74 is captively retained as shown in FIG. 2 to normally bias the valve disc member 64 against the gasket 40 to thereby close off the fluid communication from the 10. interior of expansible member or membrane 56 to the exterior of dispenser 2.
Referring to FIGS. 5 et seq. it will be noted that in addition to the product 52 that a quantity of vapor or gas 80 is introduced into the 15. chamber formed by the expansible bladde- or member 56 either during, before or after filling of the dispenser

2 with the fluid product 52. The quantity of vapor or gas 80 is sufficient so as to provide a head space 82 formed between the upper surface 84 of fluid 52 and 20. the under side of the uppermost part of inner bladder or member 560 Theentire valve system inside the valve body , member 46 is always flooded with product 52 and isolated from head space 82 because ~f depending portion 50 of valve body member 46 whic~ is always submerged below 25. the surface of fluid product. It will be noted that the ' ~ ?

depending portion 50 of valve body member 48 is al~ays beneath the fluid level 84 ~egardle~s of the position that the dispenser 2 assumes, whether it is inverted as shown in FIG. 6, or placed on its side 5. as shown in FIG. 7.
The head space 82 allows for vigorous shaking of the product 52 so as to obtain homogenity of the component mixture making up product 52. In : each instance, the dispenser 2 may be subjected to a 10. shaking or vibratory force which allows for intimate admixture of the components of product S2 and in each instance as shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, regardless of the amount of product 52 remaining in the dispenser 2, . the vapor head space 82 is retained and little or 15. none of the vapor or gas 80 escapes during the dispensing operation when the cap 16 is depressed to open the ~i valve membe- of modular sub-assembly 14.
. The amount of gas 80 should be that amount necessary in order to obtain adequate room for intimate 20. admixture of the components making up product 52 and is preferably an inert gas at least to the product 52 :~: and the materials making up the expansible bladder 56 and the components of modular sub-assembly 14.
In instances where a large vapor head space '. 25. 82, for example, would be required, the length of the J~ extending valve body member portion 50 may be similarly lengthened so as to achieve its terminus being submerged , .

104~978 at all times i~ the flowable fluid product 52 so as to maintain the presence of the gas or vapor 80 within the container.
To insure that the attributes of the invention 5. are achieved it is desirable to locally and additionally prestress a portion of the expansible member or bladder as for example at its upper extremity. That is, since in normal use the container of this invention will be in the upright position as illustrated in FIG. 5, confinement 10. of introduced vapor is ideally confined to head space 82.
Thus, the wall area of the expansible member and specially that area adjacent head space 82 is locally - stressed causing a weakening in that area prior to product and vapor filling. When the expansible member is 15. subsequently expanded during the filling pxocedure the locally prestressed or weakened area will expand first and return to its unfilled state last as product is dispensed from the container. This phenomenon is much the same as . :, ^ .
found in blowing up an elongated toy balloon. Before 20. blowing up the balloon a small section of the wall is stretched and upon filling the locally stretched section will expand before the remainder of the balloon starts , to expand.
This localized stretching may be achieved 25. by placing the assembled sub-assembly in a mold-like ''...................................................................... :

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fixture which confines all of the expansible member except that section, i.e. the upper portion, which is left unenclosed and thus free to expand in the localized area. A fluid either gaseous or liquid is then introduced ~5. via the valving arrangement into the expansible member to expand the uninhibited free upper section while the remainder of the expansible member is prevented from expanding. Subsequent release of the expanding fluid provides an expansible member, with an upper weakened lO. or locally stressed area which, upon final product and vapor filling, will expand in the manner described so as to provide the vapor head space in controlled fashion.
In other instances it may be desirabl~ to locally prestress other portions of the bladder, other 15. than the upper section in which case the mold or fixture would be modified accordingly. All such matters are within the skill of the ordinary person in the art.
Thus, there has been disclosed an improvement in dispensexs of the expansible member or bladder type 20. which obviates the sophisticated means of the prior art , with respect to dispensir.g of fluids while retaining a i substantial vapor head or space therein so that the contained product may be suitably mixed prior to dispensing and wherein simple and expedient means is provided for '5. obtaining the end rosult. There are changes and modifications ..;
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~049~78 that will make themselves apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and all such changes and modifications will not depart from the essence and spirit of the invention as disclosed herein and as more clearly defined in the appended claims.

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Claims (10)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:-

1. In a dispenser of the expansible membrane type wherein product to be dispensed therefrom is dispensed by the exertion of inherent restoring forces of the expansible membrane or by externally applied forces to said expansible member, the improvement which comprises: a fluid conduit defining a communication between the interior of said expansible membrane and the exterior of said dispenser of sufficient length to always terminate below the product level of the product stored in said expansible membrane for all levels thereof and a vapor phase head space within said expansible membrane provided by gaseous fluid disposed in said expansible membrane whereby to allow space for mixing of said product in said expansible membrane upon motion of said dispenser.

2. The improvement in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said fluid conduit comprises a valve body member having an upper valve disc member retaining portion and a lower depending portion defining a tubular communication.

3. The improvement in accordance with Claim 2 wherein said lower depending portion of said valve body member is integral with said upper valve disc member retaining portion.

4. The improvement in accordance with Claim 3 wherein said depending portion is thin-walled and annular in configuration.

5. The improvement in accordance with Claim 4 wherein said dispenser includes a modular sub-assembly comprising an inner valve disc member reciprocally mounted within said valve body member, an upper cover plate with an intermediate valve seat with which said inner valve disc member coacts, an annular locking collar member for assembled securement of said modular sub-assembly to the neck of an open-ended container; a mandrel member having its upper portion within said valve body member and a lower extending portion, at least one expansible member in which said product and gas are contained secured over said mandrel member and retained by means of said annular locking collar member and an exterior ferrule member formed in retaining housing relationship to rigidly secure the members of said modular sub-assembly in secured relationship.

6. The improvement in accordance with Claim 5 including a spring means retained within said modular sub-assembly and acting between the upper surface of said mandrel and the under surface of said inner valve disc member.

7. The improvement in accordance with Claim 6 wherein the length of said mandrel member is sufficient to pre-stress said at least one expansible member.

8. The improvement in accordance with Claim 7 wherein said ferrule member is of metal construction and said valve body member is of integrally molded plastic construction.

9. The improvement in accordance with Claim 8 wherein upon product and gas filling of said dispenser a vapor head space is formed within said at least one expansible member which is mobile in character and dictated by the relative position of said dispenser.

10. The improvement in accordance with Claim 9 including a dispensing nozzle having means therein for depressing said inner valve disc member to open a fluid pathway from said at least one expansible member to said nozzle open to the exterior of said dispenser and said expansible member has a weakened wall area at the upper portion thereof to accommodate said gaseous fluid and form said head space.