IE54806B1 - Pressurized container for gases, liquids, pasty products or the like - Google Patents

Description

- 2 - υ The present invention relates to a pressurized container for gases, liquids, pasty products or the like, the interior of said container being divided into at least two product receiving chambers which are seeded against each other.

The container further comprises a valve supporting plate including a valve member for each chamber, said valves communicating with the interior of each related product receiving chamber.

In particular the 'invention relates to the so-called aerosol cans which retain a medium under pressure and prevent the escape 10 of the contents of the container by actuation of the outlet valve or valves.

Such pressurized containers are well kncwn and widely used, e.g. for applying liquid products such as cosmetics, colouring agents etc. One field of application of such pressurized containers gaining 15 more and more importance may be seen in the simultaneous application of a plurality of chemically reactive products. In this field of application it is important, on one hand, that the individual products be mixed with an exactly predetermined ratio and, on the other hand, that the mixing is performed only just 20 before the use of the final product ready for application.

Usually this refers to the so-called "two-component-products", which include two different components which, per se. cannot - 3 - r; « y υ l, yield the desired final product but which show a chemical reaction to yield the desired final product as soon as they are mixed together. As a typical example, attention is drawn to a polyurethane foam which, amongst else, is useful in building con-5 struction to foam out cavities. Such foam consists of a basic component, forming essentially the foaming material, usually present in liquid or paste form, as well as a catalyst, usually in liquid form. As soon as the catalyst is added to the foam material the latter quickly expands and hardens and will get 10 the desired physical characteristics.

Basically it would be desirable that the chemical reaction between the foam product and the catalyst starts immediately after application in order to get the desired final product in as short time as possible. However it must be ensured that such 15 foamed product might be used also in small quantities, the remaining quantity of foaming product and catalyst which have not undergone any reaction yet being useful for further applications.

Known proceedings for the application of such "two-component-20 products" exhibit a great number of disadvantages. For example the so-called mixing technique was used; thereby a certain amount of foaming product as well as a certain amount of catalyst has been drawn off out of separate containers, observing the described mixing ratio, and have been mixed together in order to obtain the 25 desired final product. Thereby the main disadvantage lies in the fact that the finally necessary amount of the product must be exactly predetermined in order to apply the prepared mixture within the given time, i.e, before the reaction between the two components h&B started and finished. Of course the reaction speed between the two components can be decreased, but this proceeding resulte in substantially lower operating speed. In other words, one is forced to possibly wait for a long time until the applied foam has hardened, on the other hand if one chooses a short reaction time there is a danger that the mixture finally reacts before it can be applied in the desired manner; a considerable amount of prepared mixture thereby might be spoiled.

Further there are known several application devices joining the two components together out of separate containers, whereby they are mixed and yield a final product ready to use. A first disadvantage of these devices lies in the fact that they are of complicated construction and thereby quite expensive. A second disadvantage may be seen in that they require a careful and extensive maintenance, preferably immediately after use. These disadvantages render the application of such devices less attractive, especially for a home-worker.

In an attenpt to overcome these problems, US-Patent Ho. 3,045,925 discloses a multiple spray apparatus in which two or more separately contained fluids are mixed during the spraying process so as to form a single spray. This apparatus uses two separate containers, . each having a valve on its top. Each valve is connected to a pressurized liquid in the bottom of its respective container. One container is smaller than the other one, and the smaller contai- - 5 - S <ί 8 ;ϊ f nec is placed within the larger one. The valve o£ the smaller container extends through the top of the larger container and is secured thereto. A cap covers both valves, and when the cap is preseed, the two valves are opened, thereby causing a spray to be ejected from each container. The streams or spray jets are thereb mixed just externally to the cap to form the desired single spray.

The predominant problem with this apparatus may be seen in the fact that a simultaneous, even operation of the two valves is very difficult to perform. If even three or more valves have to be simultaneously opened to mix a "three-component-product", an apparatus according to the above mentioned patent will be even more difficult tovwrk. If the cperating meirber, usually in the form of a spraying cap placed on the top of the valve arrangement, is not operated exactly centrically, the result will be that one or another valve is opened earlier or to a greater extent. Thereby the predetermined mixture ratio of the products escaping from the individual product chambers is not observed; the final product will not have the desired mechanical and chemical properties.

It is an object of the invention to provide a-pressurized container Of the kind as hereinbefore described which avoids the mentioned disadvantages and which enables the use and application of the so-called "two-component-products" in an economical, pleasant and straightforward way. Particularly it is a further object of the invention to provide a means for the application of such "two-component-products" even in small amounts, e.g. in homework use, whereby the basic products still remaining in the con- tainer will be ready for further application. Finally it is an object of the invention to provide a pressurized container yielding a "two-component-product" readily mixed in a precise mixture ratio, directly escaping from the container to be immediately used thereafter.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a pressurized container for gases, liquids, pasty products or the like, the interior thereof being subdivided into at least two chambers sealed one against the other one and comprising a valve plate common to the chambers, in which one outlet valve for each chamber is inserted communicating with the interior of the associated chamber, said outlet valves being commonly operatable by an operating member displaceable in axial direction in order to open all valves, the valves comprising one-piece valve bodies and the operating member for the uniform opening of several valves being guided with respect to the valve plate axially displaceable, but radially immoveable and secured against axial pivoting.

The invention also provides a pressurized container for gases, liquids, pasty products or the like, the interior thereof being subdivided into at least two chambers sealed one against the other one and comprising a valve plate common to the chambers, in which one outlet valve for each chamber is inserted communicating with the interior of the associated chamber, said outlet valves being commonly operatable by an operating member displaceable in axial direction in order to open all valves, the valves comprising one-piece valve bodies arranged along a straight line and the operating member for the uniform opening of several valves being constituted by a pivotally mounted lever member, the pivot axis thereof extending parallel to the straight line running through the center of the valve bodies.

By the provision of a common operating member which is pivotably received and, if necessary, axially guided as well as displacable in longitudinal direction, it may be ensured that a well defined, even triggering pressure is excerted on the valves, if necessary via a interposed triggering device. Thereby the product components escape from the individual product chambers in exactly predetermined amounts so that an exactly defined mixture ratio is guaranteed. An important point may be seen in the fact that the valves comprise one-piece valve body members which may be opened evenly in an exactly predictable and reproducable manner. It must be pointed out that such arrangement may be produced reliably and economically compared to known valve arrangements of multi-chamber containers.

Preferably the further product receiving chamber or, if more than one of such so-called secondary chambers are provided, the further product receiving chambers are directly connected to the valve supporting plate. To this purpose the valve supporting plate comprises one or several flanges protruding towards the interior of the first product receiving chamber, said further chamber or said further chambers being directly and sealingly connected to said flange(s).

According to a preferred embodiment of the container according to - 8 - the invention said flange is of cylindrical shape and comprises a centrally arranged bore penetrating the valve supporting plate as veil as the flange, said bore receiving a valve member inserted into that end of said bore remote from said further product re-5 ceiving chamber connected to said flange.

There are several possibilities to connect the secondary chamber to the flange: - the flange comprises a continuous annular groove arranged at the free end thereof, said groove being engaged by an enlarged end region of said secondary chamber. Thereby the secondary chamber may be plugged onto the flange and makes a sealed connection. - the flange comprises an outer threaded portion at the free end thereof, which is engaged by a corresponding inner threaded 15 portion of the secondary chamber. - the flange comprises an outwardly protruding annular rib, an end region of the secondary chamber being beaded around said rib.

It is understood that sealing members may be inserted between flange and secondary container, if necessary, in order to provide 20 a reliable sealing of the interior of the secondary container relative to the interior of the first or main container.

The operating member may comprise a lever member pivotably con- - 9 - nected to the aerosol container, which lever member includes a triggering portion which may be subjected to a pressure or tension force as well as an operating portion operatively connected to the valve members.

A still further embodiment may include a spray nozzle head loca ted above the valve supporting plate and being equipped with a plurality of valve operating members. In this case the operating lever worts onto a central upper region of said spray nozzle head to effect the opening of the valves.

An economical embodiment of the aerosol container according to the invention may be realized if said lever member is detachably connected to the aerosol container. The main advantage thereof is that one may use an unchanged container worldwidely produced in large quantities which only has to be equipped with a pivot 15 bearing member to pivotably receive the lever member, such pivot bearing member may be connected to the aerosol container in the region of the beaded end thereof, said lever member being equipped with protruding pivot bearing pins engaging said bearing member.

The pivot bearing member may be constituted by a plastic collar protruding from the end region of the aerosol container and incorporating two bearing lugs diametrally arranged on opposite sides of such a plastic collar.

Another possibility may be seen in an embodiment without a .*.y separate spray nozzle head, the operating members of the valves being connected directly to the lever member. In this case the outlet opening of the aerosol container is provided within the lever member, whereby outlet channels lead from the operating members to the common outlet opening.

Preferably the outlet opening, provided in a separate spray nozzle head or in the lever member, may include turbulence-creating mixing means improving a thorough mixture of the product components escaping from said opening. In order to improve a precise application of the products the outlet opening may be provided with an outlet tube connected thereto, which may comprise itself internally arranged turbulence-creating means.

The valve members may be realized in different excecutions. One preferred embodiment having proved especially advantageous comprise one-piece valve body members which are sealingly inserted in a corresponding bore of the valve supporting plate, the valve body members being elastically deformable in axial direction thereby providing an opening of the valve. Preferably the valve body members have a plug-like shape and are inserted into said bores at the outer ends thereof, the opposite end thereof comprising an enlarged end region which sealingly rests against the opposite end of said bores, thereby preventing any product from escaping out of the corresponding container. Each of said valve body members include a centrally arranged blind bore open at one end thereof, the closed end communicating by means of at least one outlet opening provided in the valve body member wall with the outside of the valve body member.

Said outlet opening or openings, respectively,in the wall of the valve body members may be different with respect to their number and/or their size.Thereby it is possible to control the amount of the product escaping from the individual product chambers in a precise, reproducable and simultaneously economical way. If additionally a throttle member is provided, which may be arranged between the interior of said secondary container and the corresponding valve in order to reduce the outlet of the product from the secondary chamber, even critical mixture ratios (e.g. 1:98) may be realized without any problems.

Finally it should be mentioned that a preferred embodiment of the container according to the present invention may comprise two valve body members inserted into the valve supporting plate, whereby the pivot axis of the operating member is parallel to a line through the centers of said two valve body members. This ensures that both valves are evenly and simultaneously operated even if the operating force applied to the lever member is eccentric.

In the following there will be described some preferred embodiments of the containter according to the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal sectional view Of a first embodiment of a two-chamber aerosol con- Fig. 2 - 12 - tainer, shows a detailed sectional view o£ the upper part of the embodiment according to Fig. lr representing particularly the valve supporting plate with inser 5 ted valve members, Fig. 3a shows an enlarged sectional view of a first embodiment of a valve supporting plate with a secondary container connected thereto, but without valve body members, 10 Fig. 3b shows an enlarged sectional view of a second embodiment of a valve supporting plate with a secondary container connected thereto, but without valve body members, Fig. 3c shows an enlarged sectional view of a third embodi 15 ment of a valve supporting plate with a secondary container connected thereto, but without valve body members, Fig. 4 shows a schematic side elevational view of an aerosol container according to the invention in a 20 first embodiment, Fig. 5 shows a schematical top view of the embodiment according to Fig. 4, <> *#· o y «_> - 13 - Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a pivot bearing member usable with the embodiment of Fig. 4, Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of a lever member usable with the embodiment of Fig. 4, 5 Fig. 8 shows a schematic side elevational view of an aerosol container according to the invention in a second embodiment, and Fig. 9 shows a perspectivic view of a second embodiment of a lever member with integral spraying head, usable 10 in an embodiment of the container according to Fig. 8.

In Fig. 1 there is shown a sectional view of an aerosol container constructed in accordance with the invention, generally designated by reference numeral 1, An upper end region 2 defines an ope-15 ning 3. The wall 4 of the container 1 is beaded on this end re gion 2 whereby an edge 5 around the opening 3 receives an insert 6. A sealing member 7 is provided between the edge 5 and an end region 6a of the insert 6. The connection between the insert 6 and the wall 4 of the container 1 is effected in known manner by 20 beading.

The insert 6 includes a centrally arranged circular opening which receives a valve supporting plate, generally designated by refe- - 14 - rence numeral 8. A base plate 9 of the valve supporting plate 8 comprises a shoulder 10 abutting against a sealing surface 11 provided on the insert 6. Between the shoulder 10 and the sealing surface 11 lies a sealing member 12, e.g. an annularly shaped 5 caoutchouc disc. Along the inner periphery of the shoulder 10 there is provided a flange 13 extending upwards which includes an enlarged edge region 14. Preferably the outer edge surface 14a of the edge region 14 is chamfered. The outer diameter of the flange 13 essentially corresponds to the inner diameter of the central 10 opening in the insert 6 and the edge region 14 is Bituated outside of said central opening. As the valve supporting plate 8 is made of elastically deformable material, e.g. a suitable plastic material, the whole supporting plate 8 maybe pushed into the insert 6 from the lower side thereof until the end region 14 15 has passed the edge of the circular opening in the insert 6.

Thereby the valve supporting plate 8 is locked in the insert 6. The sealing member 12 provides a sealed, pressure-tight connection betwenn insert. 6 and plate 8.

According to the embodiment show in Fig. 1 the valve supporting 20 plate 8 comprises a flange 15 having generally cylindrical shape and protruding towards the interior of the container 1. A centrally arranged bore 16 penetrates the flange 15 as well as the base plate 9 of the valve supporting plate 8. Thereby the diameter of this bore 16 is bigger in the region of the flange 15 25 than in the region of the base plate 9.

A secondary product receiving chamber 17 is sealingly connected C {J - 15 - to that end of the flange 15 which is directed towards the interior of the container 1. There are a number of different possibilities to connect the secondary chamber 17 to the flange 15, as will be further described thereinafter in more detail.

The bore 16 is adapted to receive a one-pice valve body member 18 which is inserted into that region of the bore 16 which has that smaller diameter and passes through the base plate 9 of the valve supporting plate 8. The valve body member 18 seals, in its position, the bore 16 and thereby prevents any product from escaping from the secondary container 17. The construction and operation of the valve assembly will be explained in more detail hereinafter.

The base plate 9 of the valve supporting plate 8 further includes another bore 19 penetrating said plate 9, located beneath the flange 15. This further bore 19 provides a passage between the interior of the container 1 to the outside, i.e. to an outlet opening of the container 1. Similarly this further bore 19 receives a valve body member 20 corresponding to the aforementioned valve body member 18, sealing the interior of the container 1 against the outside in its rest position.

Figures 3a to 3c show different possibilities to sealingly connect the secondary container 17 to the flange 15 of the valve supporting plate 8. According to a first embodiment shown in Fig. 3a the flange 15 is of generally cylindrical shape and includes a continuous annular groove 31 arranged at its outer surface in the 16 region of its free end directed towards the interior of the container 1. The end face 32 of the flange 15 is chamfered in order to enable a secondary container 17 to be pushed onto the flange 15 with its upper end region. This upper end region 33 comprises 5 a beaded edge 34 which engages the interior of the annular rib 31. A sealing member 35 is inserted into the annular rib 31, which, together with a suitable shape of the upper edge 34, ensures a preSsure-tight connection between the secondary container 17 and the flange 15. If necessary the lower end of the flange 15 10 may be slotted to favour the push-on mounting of the secondary container 17 onto the flange 15.

A second possibility to connect the secondary container 17 to the flange 15 is shown in Fig. 3b. This embodiment comprises a flange 15 on the base plate 9 of the valve supporting plate 8 which has 15 generally cylindrical shape as well, but is provided with an outer threaded portion 36 on its lower end directed towards the interior of the container 1. An upper end region 37 of the container 17 comprises a threaded portion 36, arranged in its interior and corresponding with the outer threaded portion 36 of 20 the flange 15. The secondary container 17 beeing screwed on to the flange 15, a sealing member 39 resting on a shoulder 40 on the flange 15 ensures a pressure-tight connection.

A further embodiment, shown in Fig. 3c, illustrates a further possibility to connect a container 17 to the flange 15. The flange 15 includes an annualar rib 41 arranged on its lower end and protruding to the outside thereof. The upper end portion 42 25 - 17 - •iii) Jii of the secondary container 17 engages said rib 41» whereby a further annular rib 43 on the container 17, protruding into its interior, bears a sealing member 44 which rests on the frontal face 45 of the annular rib 41. The upper edge 46 of the secondary 5 container 17 is beaded around the edge of the rib 41 remote from the container 17 and thereby fixes the container 17 to the flange 15 in a pressure-tight manner. The beading of said upper edge 46 may be effected in any suitable way known in the art whereby it is understood that the secondary container 17 must be biased 10 against the flange 15 during the beading operation in order to achieve a pressure-tight sealing between the secondary container 17 and the flange 15.

As can be seen from Fig. 3a the flange 15 may enclude a throttle member 16a inserted into the bore 16 at the end thereof which is 15 directed towards the secondary container 17. The throttle member 16a ist equipped with a centrally arranged throttle opening 50. Preferably the throttle member 16a is removeably inserted, e.g. screwed-in, into the bore 16, the central opening 50 providing a deminuation of the amount of product escaping from the secondary 20 container 17 and leaving the container 1 through the corresponding valve, it is understood that a suitable throttle member 16a will be inserted into the bore 16 with a throttle opening 50 depending of the kind and viscosity of the product contained in the secondary container 17; thereby the mixture ratio between the 25 two product components may be easily controlled.

An other embodiment of a container of the kind mentioned above - 18 - encluding a throttle member for the secondary container 17 is shown in Fig. 3c. The throttle member 16a consists of a disc 51 which is connected to the secondary container 17 in the region of the protruding rib 43 and which comprises a centrally arranged 5 throttle opening 50a. The disc 51 has exactly the same effect as the throttle member 16a described in connection with Fig. 3a and therefore uteu not be explained further.

Reverting to Fig. 1 it can be seen that a trigger element, generally designated by reference 21, is placed on the top of 10 the insert 6. Said element 21 includes outlet channels 22 and 23, one end thereof being connected to short tube portions 22' resp. 23' arranged in the region of the valve body members 18 resp. 20. The opposite ends of the channels 22 and 23 are connected to an outlet opening 24 which is provided on one side of the triggering 15 element 21. Upon operation of the valve body member 18, the product contained in the secondary container 17, which is under pressure, is driven, possibly through a throttle opening 50 resp. 50a, through the valve body member 18 into the channel 22 and to the outlet opening 24, Correspondingly the product contained in 20 - the main chamber of the container 1 is driven through the valve body member 20 into the outlet channel 23 and to the outlet opening 24. As far as the coupling and operation of the trigger element 21 and the valve body members 18 and 20 are concerned, reference is made to the explanations as set forth hereinafter.

In Fig. 2 the construction of the valve supporting plate 8 as well as of the valve body members 18 and 20 received in said - 19 - V iJ IV J Cr· plate 8 is shown in more detail. As already mentioned the valve supporting plate 8 is jammed into the insert 60 of the container 1. λ pressure-tight connection of the valve supporting plate 8 with the insert 6 is ensured, on one hand, by the cooperation of 5 the shoulder 10 with seal 12 thereon and sealing surface 11 of the insert 6 and, on the other hand by the cooperation of the edge region 14 of the flange 13 with the upper edge of the insert 6 limiting the opening therein. The valve body member 18 is inserted into the bore 16 of the base plate 9 and comprises a 10 head portion 25 with increased diameter with an adjacent flange 26, the latter being sealingly inserted into the upper end of the bore 16. Further the valve body member 18 includes an end region 26 of increased diameter which sealingly rests against the inner edge of the bore 16, e.g. that edge which is directed towards the 15 interior of the secondary container 17. Between the head region 25 resp. the adjacent flange 26 and the end region 27 there is provided a shaft region 28 which is elastically deformable in longitudinal direction. A blind bore 29 within the valve body member 18 is open in the region of the head 25, but closed in the 20 region of the end 27 of the valve body member 18. The shaft re gion 28 is provided with a radially extending outlet opening 30 which connects the blind bore 29 with the outside of the valve body member 18.

If an axial pressure is exerted to the closed end of the blind 25 bore 29 of the valve body member 18 by suitable means, the shaft portion 28 is stretched and the enlarged end region 27 takes off from the edge of the bore 16. Thereby a passage is opened from - 20 - the interior of the secondary container 17 via outlet opening 30 and blind bore 29 of the valve body member towards the outside of the container 1. Due to the internal elasticity of the valve body member, preferably made of a suitable plastic material, the 5 enlarged end region 27 of the valve body member 18 will rest against the inner edge of the bore 16 again as soon as the above mentioned pressured force is released; Thereby the interior of the secondary container 17 is sealingly closed against the outside of the container 1.

The diameter of the radially extending outlet opening 30 in the valve body member 18 depends, of course, of the nature, especially of the viscosity of the product contained in the secondary container 17 as well as of the pressure in said container. If necessary the valve body member 18 may include a plurality of 15 radially extending outlet openings 30, particularly if the secondary container 17 contains a relatively viscose product.

The valve body member 20 which is inserted into the bore 19 of the base plate 9, is essentially of exactly the same construction as the previously described valve body member 18. Corresponding 20 parts of the valve body member 20 are designated with corresponding reference numerals, but with an added *'*. As the product contained in the main chamber of the container 1, released via bore 19 and valve body member 20, usually has a greater viscosity or has to escape in larger quantities in order to ensure the 25 predetermined mixture ratio, the valve body member 20 may be provided with a plurality of radially extending outlet openings - 21 - ' b 'j i.-30’.

The outlet openings 301 in the valve body member 20 may also comprise a different, usually a greater diameter than the outlet openings 30 in the valve body member 18. Anyway the amount of the product escaping from the secondary container 17 resp. the main chamber of the container 1 and thereby the mixture ratio between the two product components may be controlled by varying the number and/or the diameter of the outlet openings 30 and 30', respectively, as well as by varying the diameter of the throttle opening 50 resp. 50a of the throttle member, which may additionally be inserted into the outlet path of the product escaping from the secondary container 17.

The two outlet channels 22 and 23 within the trigger element 21 end in the region of a common outlet opening 24 which is provided with a short tube portion 31. The interior of the wall of that tube portion 31 may be provided with turbulence-creating inserts 32 in order to favour a good mixing of the two product components simultaneously escaping from the channels 22 and 23. A further possibility (not shown) consists in to provide the tube portion 31 with an extension tube or the like. This helps in applying the readily mixed components to places which are difficult to reach. If such a tube extension is connected to the tube portion 31, it can also include turbulence-creating inserts which further improve the quality of the final product by additionally mixing the components during the passage through the tube extension. 22 - In Fig. 4 there is shown a side elevational view of an embodiment of an aerosol container 1 according to the invention, A lever member, generally designated with reference 43, serves to operate the trigger element 21 which takes the form of a spray 5 nozzle head with an outlet nozzle 33. The lever member 34 inclu des an operating portion 35 essentially extending longitudinally above the nozzle head 21 and incorporating an engaging rib 36, protruding from the lower surface of the operation portion and contacting the upper surface ot the nozzle head 21. A pair of XO pivot bearing pins 38 is connected by means of a pair of connecting arms 36 with the lever member 34, the latter being arranged at the frontal end of the operating portion 35. The opposite end thereof comprises a triggering portion in the form of a trigger lever 39 extending downwardly in a right angle from the operating 15 . portion. Fig. 5 shows the arrangement described hereinbefore in a top elevational view.

For anchoring the lever member 34 on the aerosol container 1, i.e. for a detachable, pivotal connection of the pivot bearing pins arranged at the front end of the operating portion 35 of 20 the lever member 34, there is provided a plastic collar 40 fastened to the upper end of the container 1. Preferably this collar 40 is provided on the container during fabrication thereof and may be connected to the container by jamming between upper edge 5 of the container 1 and edge region 6a of the insert 6. It is 25 understood that other solutions may be realized? for instance the collar 40 may be integrally formed with the insert 6. Anyway the plastic collar 40 incorperates two bearing lugs 41 being diame- - 23 - £> ti ΰ U ι. fcrally arranged on opposite sides of the container and including openings 42 to receive the pivot bearing pins 36 of the lever member 34. An embodiment of euch a collar including the bearing lugs 41 is shown in Pig. 6 in a perspective view.

Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of a single lever member 34 to be used with the embodiment according to Figs. 4 and S. It may be seen that there are provided two connecting arms 37 extending from the front end of the operating portion 35 in a right angle downwardly. The pivot bearing pins 38 are connected to the free 10 ends of said arms 37 and extend in a direction parallel to the operating porting 35 of the lever member 34. Thanks to the forklike shape of the front end of the lever member 34 it is ensured that the outlet of the spray nozzle head 21 is not obstructed and that, if necessary, a tube extension may be connected to the out-15 let opening of the head 21. Fig. 6 further shows the arrangement of the engaging element 36; it contacts the upper surface of the nozzle head 21 and ensures that an evenly distributed pressure is exerted on the nozzle head 21 upon actuation of the lever member 34 and thereby an even and simultaneous operation of the two 20 valves. Finally Fig. 6 also shows the arrangement of the trigger portion 39 of the lever member 34, The lever member 34 is preferably made of plastic material; however it can be made of metal, especially if it is intended for continous use with a plurality of aerosol containers according to 25 the invention. The embodiment as hereinbefore described, comprising a separate detachable lever member 34, is especially advan- - 24 .-. tageoue because the aerosol container nay be in a standard, world widely used size and execution. It will be clear that this provides a considerable goal regarding economy as such aerosol containers are produced in million amounts. The only additional pro-5 Auction step with the aerosol conainer according to the present invention is to provide a plastic collar 40 and to connect it to the aerosol container.

A further embodiment of the aerosol container according to the present invention is shown in Fig. 8. Thereby a spray nozzle head 10 21 and the lever member 34 are combined to a common trigger element 43. With other words, this means that the spray nozzle head is integrated into the lever member to form a single construction element. Basically the constructive details are very similar as with the embodiment according to Fig. 4 to 7, compri-15 sing connecting arms 37, pivot bearing pins 38, a triggering portion 39 and a plastic collar 40 connected to the upper end of the container 1 and being provided with bearing lugs 41 which are engaged by the pivot bearing pins 38. Ά trigger element 43 to be used with the embodiment shown in Fig. 20 8 can be seen in a perspective view from Fig. 9. As already explained in connection with Fig. 1 and 2 the trigger element 43 comprises two tubelike extensions 44 protruding downwardly which are intended to penetrate the blind bores in the valve body members 18 and 20. The extensions 44 are connected to channels (not 25 shown) in the interior of the trigger element 43 which end in the region of an outlet nozzle 33 into a common outlet opening 24. Of - 25 - «> 4 ii U G course it is likewise possible to design the outlet opening 24 to connect a tube extension (not shown).

An important point relating to both the embodiments according to Fig. 4 to 7 as well as to the embodiment according Figs. 8 and 9 must be seen in the fact that the pivot axis of the lever member 34 extends parallelly to a line placed through the centers of the two valve body members 18 and 20. Thereby it is ensured that both valves are simultaneously and evenly opened. In a further embodiment (not shown) comprising three or more valves, it must be ascertained that these valves are arranged along such a common straigth line or, if this is not possible, constructional provisions must be made to ensure a simultaneous operation of the valves. For instance, if three valves are provided, two thereof being arranged along a line and the third one being arranged distantly to said line nearer to the pivot axis of the lever member, two engaging elements (similar to fig. 4} may be provided, one protruding more over the surface of the operating portion 35 of the lever member 34 than the other one.

The present invention provides an aerosol container which is especially useful in easily applying products consisting of two separate components which have to be mixed together immediately before use. The proposed, pivotably received lever member for the operation of the two outlet valves ensures that both valves are opened synchroneously and evenly with high precision, thereby guaranteeing the observation of an exactly predetermined mixture ratio. The production of an aerosol container according to the - 26 - present invention is Biinpie and economical as one may use a standardized aerosol can available in large production quantities with only minor modifications resp. additional elements.

Claims (30)

1. 2. A pressurized container for gases, liquids, pasty products or the like, the interior thereof being subdivided into at least two chambers sealed one against the other one and comprising a valve plate common to the chambers, in which one outlet valve for each chamber is inserted communicating with the interior of the associated chamber, said outlet valves being commonly operatable by an operating member displaceable in axial direction in order to open all valves, the valves comprising one-piece valve bodies arranged along a straight line and the operating member for the uniform opening of several valves being constituted by a pivotally mounted lever member, the pivot axis thereof extending parallel to the straight line running through the center of the valve bodies.

2. 3. A pressurized container according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the valve plate comprises at least one connect- 28 ion piece protruding towards the interior of the container on which an additional container, constituting one of the sealed chambers, is sealingly mounted.

3. 4. A pressurized container according to Claim 3, 5 wherein the connection piece is of cylindrical shape and comprises a central continuous bore, a valve body being inserted into that end of said bore which is remote from the additional container.

4. 5. A pressurized container according to Claim 3 or 4, 10 wherein the valve plate is of essentially circular shape and the connection piece or the connection pieces is or are, respectively, eccentrically mounted on the valve plate.

5. 6. A pressurized container according to any one of

6. 15 Claims 3 to 5, wherein the connection piece is provided with a circumferential groove located in the region of its end which is engaged by a thickened edge portion of the additional container.

7. A pressurized container according to any one of

8. 20 Claims 3 to 5, wherein the connection piece is provided with an outside thread located in the region of its end onto which the additional container is screwed by means of a corresponding inside thread.

9. 8. A pressurized container according to any one of

10. 25 Claims 3 to 5, wherein the connection piece is provided with an annular web protruding outwardly in the region of its end, around which an edge portion of the additional container is crimped. - 29 -

11. 29. K 4 '6 u ί 9. Ά pressurized container according to Claim 2, wherein the lever member comprises a releasing portion adapted to be imparted by a pushing and/or pulling force as well as an operating portion operatively coupled to 5 the valve bodies.

12. 10. A pressurized container according to Claim 9, wherein the release member further comprises a spraying or outlet head attached to the valve plate which is equipped with a plurality of operating members related to 10 the valves.

13. 11. A pressurized container according to Claim 9 or 10, wherein the lever member of the releasing member is rel-easably connected to the pressurized container.

14. 12. A pressurized container according to Claim 11, 15 wherein a pivotal bearing member is connected to the pressurized container in the region of its crimped edge, and the lever member comprises pivotal bearing brackets connected to its operating portion and projecting therefrom. 20 13. A pressurized container according to Claim 12, wherein the pivotal bearing member is constituted by a plastic collar protruding over the edge of the pressurized container and having two diametrically opposite supporting brackets. 25 14. A pressurized container according to Claim 12 or 13, wherein the pivotal bearing brackets on the lever member are constituted by two elements situated opposite to each other and projecting from the surface of the lever member, said brackets engaging the supporting brackets 30 provided on the container from downwards upon mounting of the lever member on the container. 30 -

15. A pressurized container according to any one of Claims 9 to 14, wherein the releasing portion of the lever member is bent with respect to the operating portion.

16. A pressurized container according to any one of

17. 5 Claims 9 to 15, wherein operating portion of the lever member is shaped as an essentially flat plane which is adapted to be put on the surface of the spraying head.

18. 17. A pressurized container according to any one of Claims 9 to 15, wherein the operating portion of the 10 lever member is provided with operating elements projecting from the surface thereof which are operatively coupled to the spraying head.

19. 18. A pressurized container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one-piece valve bodies are 15 sealingly inserted into a related bore in the valve plate and are elastically deformable by an axially imparting force in order to be opened.

20. 19. A pressurized container according to Claim 18, wherein the valve bodies are plug-like shaped and 20 sealingly inserted into the end of the bore of the valve plate opening into the outside, and the other end of these valve bodies comprise an enlarged end portion which sealingly abuts against that end of the bore in the valve plate which opens into the interior of the container. 25 20. A pressurized container according to Claim 19, wherein the valve bodies are provided with a central blind bore opening into the outside and communicating in the region of its closed end via at least one outlet bore with the outside of the valve bodies. - 31 - ο> u

21. A pressurized container according to Claim 20, wherein the outlet bore and the outlet bores, respectively, are different with regard to their number and/or size in the individual valve bodies. 5 22. A pressurized container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a throttle member for reducing the rate of flow is insertable between the interior of the additional container and the related outlet valve.

22. 23. A pressurized container according to Claim 22, 10 wherein the throttle member is constituted by a disc equipped with a throttle opening which is arranged in the region of the outlet opening of the additional container.

23. 24. A pressurized container according to Claim 22, wherein the throttle member for reducing the rate of flow 15 is inserted into the bore of the connection piece.

24. 25. A pressurized container according to Claim 24, wherein the throttle member is constituted by a disc replaceably received in the connection piece and provided with a central throttle opening. 20 26. A pressurized container according to Claim 9 or 20, wherein operating members of the spraying head are tubes projecting therefrom which penetrate into the blind bores of the valve bodies.

25. 27. A pressurized container according to Claim 26, 25 wherein the tubes communicate with outlet channels provided in the spraying head which open into a common outlet of the spraying head.

26. 28. A pressurized container according to Claim 8 or 20, wherein the operating elements in the operating portion of the lever member are constituted by tube pieces projecting from the surface thereof and penetrating into the blind bores of the valve bodies.

27. 29. A pressurized container according to Claim 28, wherein the tube pieces communicate with outlet channels provided in the interior of the lever member which open into a common outlet at the free end of the lever member.

28. 30. A pressurized container according to one of Claims 27 and 29, wherein turbulence generating mixing means are provided in the region of the common outlet in the spraying head or in the lever member'.

29. 31. A pressurized container according to one of Claims 27 and 29, wherein an outlet tube is connected to the common outlet in the spraying head or in the lever member, said outlet tube being provided, if appropriate, with turbulence generating mixing means.

30. 32. A pressurized container according to Claim 1 or 2, substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. F. R. KELLY & CO., AGENTS FOR THE APPLICANTS,