Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
  • F16K3/00—Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening and closing
  • F16K3/28—Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening and closing with resilient valve members
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES
  • A47K5/00—Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste or the like
  • A47K5/06—Dispensers for soap
  • A47K5/12—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES
  • A47K5/00—Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste or the like
  • A47K5/06—Dispensers for soap
  • A47K5/12—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap
  • A47K5/1202—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap dispensing dosed volume
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES
  • A47K5/00—Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste or the like
  • A47K5/06—Dispensers for soap
  • A47K5/12—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap
  • A47K5/1217—Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
  • F16K3/00—Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening and closing
  • F16K3/22—Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening and closing with sealing faces shaped as surfaces of solids of revolution
  • F16K3/24—Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening and closing with sealing faces shaped as surfaces of solids of revolution with cylindrical valve members
  • F16K3/26—Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening and closing with sealing faces shaped as surfaces of solids of revolution with cylindrical valve members with fluid passages in the valve member
  • F16K3/262—Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening and closing with sealing faces shaped as surfaces of solids of revolution with cylindrical valve members with fluid passages in the valve member with a transverse bore in the valve member

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to dispensers and more particularly to dispensers having refill units with stretch valves.
• Dispensers such as, for example, soap and sanitizer dispensers, often include a refill unit that may be inserted into a dispenser and removed from the dispenser when empty.
• the refill units typically consist of a container used in an inverted position. The container has a neck located at the bottom and are typically sealed with a seal that is punctured when the refill unit is inserted into the dispenser. When the refill is removed, residual soap or sanitizer drains out of the container and makes a mess.
• Some refill units have a slit valve that reseals the opening when the refill is removed, however, those refill units are subject to leaking if too much pressure is applied to the refill unit during transport or installation.
• An exemplary refill unit for a soap or sanitizer dispenser includes a container and a closure.
• the closure has a cylindrical wall forming an opening through the closure.
• the cylindrical wall has an upper surface that forms a valve seal and the cylindrical wall having a lower portion.
• the refill unit includes a stretch valve.
• the stretch valve has a body, a valve seal, a retention flange, an annular channel, and one or more fluid passageways therethrough.
• the body of the stretch valve is located on the interior of the cylindrical wall.
• the lower portion of the cylindrical wall is located in the annular channel of the stretch valve.
• the stretch valve stretches to move from a closed position to an open position and is a normally closed valve.
• Another exemplary refill unit for a soap or sanitizer dispenser includes a container and a closure.
• the closure has a cylindrical wall forming an opening through the closure.
• the cylindrical wall has an upper surface that forms a valve seal and the cylindrical wall has a lower extending portion.
• the refill unit includes a stretch valve.
• the stretch valve has a body, a valve seal, a retention flange, an annular channel, one or more openings therethrough and a sealing bead located on the interior of the valve body.
• the body of the stretch valve is located on the interior of the cylindrical wall.
• the lower extending portion of the cylindrical wall is located in the annular channel of the stretch valve.
• the one or more openings are located below the valve seat when the stretch valve is in a closed position and the one or more openings are at least partially located above the valve seat when the vale is in an open position.
• Figure 14 is a prospective view of an exemplary stretch valve
• valve 402 includes a neck 403, a closure 404, a valve 450 and an optional dust cap 460.
• Refill unit 120 may also include a key collar 480.
• Valve 450 is a normally closed valve that may be opened up to allow liquid to flow out of container 402.
• Valve 450 may also allow air up into container 402.
• Optional valve cover 460 may be included to keep valve 450 clean and from dust and debris prior to the valve cover 460 being removed and the refill unit 120 being installed in the dispenser.
• the valve cover 460 may be included aid in valve 450 retention during distribution.
• the valve cover 460 can be a plastic injection molded component, adhesive peel seal, or induction heat seal.
• Closure 404 is connected to neck 403. Closure 404 may be connected to neck
• Latch 540 may have a sloped or ramped upper surface that slopes downward toward the end of the latch 540. If the latching arms 140 are in the latched position when a refill unit 120 is inserted into the dispenser 130, the downward sloped surface causes the latch arms 140 to be pushed outward so that the refill unit 120 may be inserted into the dispenser even though the latch arms 140 are not locked or retained in their unlatched position 580.
• a biasing member 590 biases the latching arms 140 toward the latched position.
• the biasing member 590 may be, for example, a spring, an elastomeric member, a rubber member, or the like.
• the spring may be a metal spring or a plastic spring.
• Retaining members 812 are located on a flexible tab 810.
• Flexible tabs 810 is a resilient member that may be deflected and is biased toward its undeflected position. Flexible tabs 810 may be tabs cut into a portion of lower plate 512. Flexible tabs 810 include a release engagement surface 890. Release engagement surface 890 may be located at an outer end of the flexible tab 810. Release engagement surface 890 may be engaged by contact surface 912 of release member 910 as described below to deflect flexible tab 810.
• engagement surface 752 which may be a sloped or ramped surface, is engaged by surface 752 of arm engagement member.
• the flexible tabs 810 deflect downward.
• arm engagement surface 752 passes the end of surface 814, the flexible tabs 810 move upward so that arm engagement surface 752 contacts retaining member engagement surface 816.
• latching arms 140 are retained or locked in an unlatched position. The user can release engagement arms 140 and engagement arms 140 remain in an unlatched position.
• FIG 10 is a cross-section of a portion of a dispenser base 1030.
• Reservoir 530 is a sealed reservoir and includes a neck 1002. Attached to neck 1002 is a valve post 1003.
• Valve post 1003 engages valve 450 and opens valve 450 when refill unit 120 is inserted into dispenser base 130.
• Valve post 1003 includes a valve contact surface 1020.
• Valve post 1003 includes one or more apertures 1023 from an outside surface 1021 of valve post 100 to an interior hollow passage 1024.
• a tube 1025 extends downward into reservoir 530.
• valve post 1003 includes one or more passages that allow air in reservoir 530 to flow up into container 402 as liquid is drawn out of container 402.
• Reservoir 530 includes an optional opening 1004.
• Optional opening 1004 may be used to attach a float to the reservoir 530.
• a float (not shown) may be used to determine a level of fluid in the reservoir 530.
• Reservoir 530 includes an optional opening 1006. Opening 1006 may be used to vent reservoir 530 when fluid is added to reservoir 530.
• FIG 11 is an exploded view of an exemplary refill unit 1100.
• Refill unit 1100 includes a container 1102, a closure 1106, a stretch- valve 1150 and an optional key collar 1120.
• Key collar 1120 is similar to key collar 480 and is not redescribed herein.
• Closure 1106 is secured to the neck 1104 of container 1102.
• Closure 1106 may be connected to neck 1104 by, for example, a threaded connection (as shown), a snap fit connection, a friction fit connection, a welded connection or the like.
• Closure 1106 includes an cylindrical opening 1204 (Figure 17 is a larger view of the closure 1106). Opening 1204 is formed by cylindrical projection 1205 ( Figure 12). Cylindrical projection 1205 has a lower wall portion 1210. A valve retention channel 1212 is located in the closure 1206 around the lower wall portion 1210 of cylindrical projection 1205. Located at the top of cylindrical projection 1205 is a valve seat 1700. Valve seat 1700 is an angled surface. In some instances, the angled surface may be between 0 degrees to 80 degrees. In some instances, the angled surface may be between 20 degrees to 70 degrees. In some instances, the angled surface may be between 30 degrees to 60 degrees. In some instances, the angled surface may be between 40 degrees to 50 degrees.
• Cylindrical projection 1205 has an upper surface 1702.
• the closure 1106 is shown in the position that closure 1106 will be in when connected to a container 1102 and the refill unit 1100 is installed in a dispenser. Accordingly, references to top surface or bottom surface, is related to the position closure 1106 is shown in Figure 17 and the position that closure 1106 is when it is in a dispenser. Closure 1106 has a bottom surface 1214.
• the stretch valve 1150 is secured to closure 1106 as described in more detail below.
• the stretch valves disclosed herein may be over molded to the closures, rather than attaching the stretch valves to the closures.
• FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a dispenser 1200 and refill unit 1102 shown removed and above the dispenser 1200.
• Dispenser 1200 includes a reservoir 1160.
• Reservoir 1160 is a sealed reservoir and includes a neck 1202.
• the inventive concepts may be used with dispensers that do not contain a reservoir and fluid from the refill unit 1102 may be fed directly to a pump.
• Attached to neck 1202 is a valve post 1170.
• Valve post 1170 includes a valve contact surface 1220.
• Valve post 1170 includes one or more apertures 1180 therethrough providing a fluid flow path through valve post 1170 to an interior hollow passage 1182.
• a tube 1184 extends downward into reservoir 1160.
• Stretch valve 1150 is made of a resilient elastomeric material.
• Stretch valve 1150 may be made of, for example, one or more elastomers, rubber, silicone, urethane, thermoplastic elastomer, latex, polyisoprene. Accordingly, stretch valve 1150 may be stretched and will return to its original shape.
• Stretch valve 1150 includes a valve cap 1416, a valve cap lower surface 1500, a retention flange 1420, an annular channel 1520, a sealing bead 1550, one or more openings 1402 and a valve seal surface 1520.
• the one or more “openings” in the stretch valves disclosed herein may also be referred to as fluid passageways.
• Exemplary fluid passageways disclosed herein may have circular cross-sections, elliptical cross-sections, oval crosssections, elongated cross-sections.
• the fluid passageways are smooth and curve-continuous along the cross-sections. There are no sharp edges. There are no corners.
• the fluid passageways are devoid of stress concentrations.
• the fluid passageways are smooth along the cross-sections.
• Stretch valve 1150 is a normally closed valve.
• Figure 15 illustrates stretch valve 1150 in an unstretched position.
• the term “unstretched position” does not mean that the valve body is not under some tension. Indeed, preferably the valve body is under some tension when the stretch valve 1150 is secured to the closure 1106 and in the closed position so that a good seal is made between the valve seal 1520 and the valve seat 1700.
• the term unstretched position may be synonymous with the closed position.
• Figure 16 illustrates stretch valve 1106 in a stretched or open position.
• openings 1402 are located above the top surface 1702 cylindrical projection 1205.
• the stretched or open position occurs when the lower surface 1500 of the valve cap 1416 is contacted by the top surface 1220 of valve post 1170 and moved upward or inward to stretch valve 1106. Accordingly, fluid may flow through openings 1402, through apertures 1180 in valve post 1170, through passage 1182. In this manner, liquid may flow from container 1102 into reservoir 1106. In addition, in some systems, air can flow out of reservoir 1106 and into container 1102.
• the one or more openings 1402 have a crescent shape with a sloped surface 1410 that terminates proximate the inside wall 1502 of valve body 1402. This results in the one or more openings 1402 being sealed during the manufacturing and assembly process. In other words, the one or more openings 1402 are not openings when inserted in the closure 1106.
• the first time stretch valve 1150 is stretched or fully opened, the very thin piece of elastomeric material proximate the inner wall 1502, tears or breaks and the one or more openings allow fluid to flow therethrough. Forming the one or more openings 1402 as described above aids in manufacturing the stretch valve 1150.
• FIGS. 18 through 19 show an exemplary stretch valve 1800.
• Stretch valve 1800 is made of a resilient elastomeric material.
• Stretch valve 1800 may be made of, for example, one or more elastomers, rubber, silicone, urethane, thermoplastic elastomer, latex, polyisoprene. Accordingly, stretch valve 1800 may be stretched and will return to its original shape.
• Stretch valve 1800 includes a valve cap 1816, a valve cap lower surface 1900, a retention flange 1820, an annular channel 1920, a sealing bead 1950, one or more openings 1802 and a valve seal surface 1920.
• valve cap 1806 When the stretch valve 1800 is secured to closure 1106 the valve cap 1806 is located above the top surface 1702 of valve seat 1700, retention flange 1820 is located in retention channel 1212, and lower cylindrical wall 1210 is located in the annular channel 1920 of stretch valve 1800.
• the valve seal 1920 is sealed against the valve seat 1700, and the stretch valve 1800 is secured to closure 1106.
• the body 1800 of stretch valve 1800 is located on the interior of cylindrical wall 1205 when connected to closure 1106. In some instances, having the body 1400 of stretch valve 1150 on the interior of cylindrical wall 1205 prevents the valve from miss-seating and leaking.
• openings 1802 are located below the top surface 1802 of the cylindrical wall 1205 of the closure.
• Line 1880 indicates the location of the top surface 1702 of cylindrical wall when valve 1880.
• valve seal 1920 is seated against valve seat 1700 and fluid is prevented from flowing out of the container.
• the increased pressure may cause the valve seal 1920 to seat harder against valve seat 1700 ensuring that the fluid cannot leak out of container.
• Figure 20 illustrates stretch valve 1800 in a stretched or open position.
• openings 1802 are located above the top surface 1702 cylindrical projection 1205.
• the stretched or open position occurs when the lower surface 1900 of the valve cap 1816 is contacted by the top surface 1220 of valve post 1170 and moved upward or inward to stretch valve 1800. Accordingly, fluid may flow through openings 1802, through apertures 1180 in valve post 1170, through passage 1182. In this manner, liquid may flow from container 1102 into reservoir 1106. In addition, in some systems, air can flow out of reservoir 1106 and into container 1102.
• sealing bead 1950 which is located on the inside of valve body and seals against valve post 1700 to prevent any fluid from passing between the stretch valve 1800 and the outside of valve post 1700.
• Stretch valve 1800 may have more than one sealing bead 1950.
• a sealing bead (not shown), such as, for example, an o-ring, may be located on the valve post 1700. It is preferable to have the sealing bead 1950 located on the valve body 1800 because the refill unit 1100 is removed and replaced with a new refill unit when the refill unit 1100 is empty.
• valve post 1700 may be tapered (not shown).
• valve body may seal radially against the tapered outside surface of the valve post 1700 and a sealing bead 1950 may not be required.
• the one or more openings 1820 are circular openings. In some instances, the circular openings tend to elongate into ovel openings when the valve is stretched.
• Other opening shapes are contemplated for the stretch valves disclosed herein. Such shapes may include square or rectangular shapes, oval shapes, and the like.
• the openings may be slits that are substantially closed when the stretch valve is closed and open when the stretch valve is opening.
• the one or more openings in the stretch valves are shown as being in a horizontal plane with respect to the valve body, however, some openings may be located above the height of other openings.
• FIGS 20A and 20B illustrate an exemplary valve post 2000.
• Valve post 2000 may be used in any of the dispensers disclosed herein.
• Valve post 2000 includes a valve contact surface 2020 and a valve post body 2093.
• Valve post body 2093 has aa tapered or flared position 2090.
• Valve post 2200 includes one or more apertures 2080 through the valve post body 2093 providing a fluid flow path through valve post 2000 to an interior hollow passage 2082.
• a tube 2084 extends downward into reservoir (not shown).
• Valve post 2000 includes one or more air passages or channels 2095 that allow air in the reservoir (not shown) to flow up into a container (not shown) as liquid is drawn out of the container.
• the one or more air passages or channels 2095 extend downward along the valve post body 2093 and become enclosed passageways as they pass through the tapered portion 2090.
• a refill unit (not shown) is inserted over valve post 2000, the body of the stretch valve forms a seal around valve post 2000.
• the seal is located on the tapered section.
• a sealing bead on the stretch valve body (not shown) may or not be used to form the seal.
• the one or more air passage 2095 do not need to extend along the entire valve post 2000.
• the one or more air passages 2095 are preferably sized so that the surface tension of the fluid in the container (not shown) prevents liquid from flowing down the one or more air passages 2095.
• FIGs 21 and 22 illustrate another exemplary stretch valve 2100 in a portion of a refill unit 2101.
• Refill unit 2101 has a closure 2106 secured thereto.
• Closure 2160 includes a cylindrical wall 2114.
• the top of cylindrical wall 2114 forms a valve seat, and the bottom of cylindrical wall 2114 is received in annular channel 1520 for securing stretch valve 2100 to the closure.
• Stretch valve 2100 which is show in its unstretched or open position, includes a valve body 2150, a retention flange 2154, a lower annular channel 2116, a valve sealing surface 2108, a valve cap 2152, one or more openings 2160 and a sealing bead 2170.
• Stretch valve 2100 is made of a resilient elastomeric material.
• Stretch valve 2100 may be made of, for example, one or more elastomers, rubber, silicone, urethane, thermoplastic elastomer, latex, polyisoprene.
• An optional valve retaining cap 2130 may be used to better secure the stretch valve 2100 to closure 2106.
• the components of stretch valve 2100 that are similar to those described above and are not repeated herein but apply to this stretch valve as well.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=90608895

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Family Cites Families (6)

• 2023
  • 2023-10-06 EP EP23875834.6A patent/EP4598409A1/de active Pending
  • 2023-10-06 WO PCT/US2023/076188 patent/WO2024077209A1/en not_active Ceased

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events