US3118577A

US3118577A - Closure for material dispensing device

Info

Publication number: US3118577A
Application number: US62725A
Authority: US
Inventors: Alton E Estabrook
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1960-10-14
Filing date: 1960-10-14
Publication date: 1964-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 1981-01-21

Description

Jan. 21, 1964 A. E. EsTABRooK cLosuRE FOR MATERIAL DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Oct. 14. 1960 'umn 11W/Ille INVENTOR. zzw? f. 55 df'oo ilnited dtates Patent Oiilice Pratented eian. 21, 19d@ 3,118,577 CJCURE FR ll/TERL DISPENSE-IG DEVICE Alton E. Esabroolr, 6i Rugby Road, Euiaio, Nfl?. Filed Ust. i4, i960, Ser. No. 62,725 2 Claims. (Ci. 222-511) This invention relates to material dispensing devices, and more particularly to a new and improved closure therefor incorporating self-closing movable valve means.

rhe inventive closure is particularly adapted for use in dispensing solid material in granular form such as condiments like salt and pepper. However, such closure can also be used for dispensing particulate solid material, such as tablets or pills, and even liquids, if desired.

A primary object of the invention is to provide such a closure incorporating self-closing movable valve means which is both deformable for opening the material dispensing device and recoverable for automatically closing such device.

Another object is to provide such a closure which is economical to manufacture, simple in construction, and easy to assemble and disassemble, as well as most eective in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon a consideration of the description and drawings wherein:

FiG. l is a vertical elevational view, partly in section, of a material dispensing device in the form of a combined salt and pepper shaker, at each end of which is located a preferred embodiment of the inventive closure and self-closing movable valve means incorporated therein; the valve means being shown in its outermost position, closing the dispensing device;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view similar lto FIG. 1, but illustrating the valve means in its innermost position, opening the dispensing device;

FiG. 3 is a top plan view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional View taken on line 4 4 of FiG. l;

FiG. 5 kis a sectional View taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2, and

EEG. 6 is a perspective view of the self-closing valve means shown in FIGS. 1 5.

Referring to the drawing, and particularly FiG. l, a suitable material dispensing device in the form of a cornbined salt and pepper shaker is generally indicated at lil. The device is divided into an upper compartment li for containing salt for example, and `a lower compartment ila suitable for containing pepper. These compartments are divided at their inner ends by a transverse dividing wall l2. While the dispensing device lil may take any desired shape, it is preferred that it take the form similar to an hour glass, and that it be generally circular in cross section. it is also preferred that the divided compartments of the dispensing device be molded in one piece from suitable plastic material such as polyethylene, polystyrene or an acrylic resin (Lucite), or from glass, if desired.

At their open ends, each compartment is also preferably provided with a peripherd notch opening in the same direction as the open end. ln the drawing, the notch at the upper end is designated as 13, and at the lower end as i341. Likewise, at their open ends, each compartment is provided with a closure, the upper closure being designated as 14 and the lower closure as lila. lnasrnuch as these closures ld and 14a, each of which constitute a preferred embodiment of the invention, are identical, a description of the upper closure 14 will suiiice for both.

The closure id is preferably composed of a lower or inner circular cup-shaped element l5, `an upper or outer circular disk-shaped element 16, and an intermediate, self-closing, movable valve element i7. Each of these elements is preferably molded in one piece from suitable plastic material such as used for the compartments. However, while elements l5 and 16 could be made from glass, the preferred material is polyethylene, which is the most resilient of the plastic materials mentioned, to insure a tight iit between ele-ment 15 and compartment i4 as well as between elements 15 and i6. As for the valve element i7, glass is not suitable because too rigid, and once again, the preferred plastic material is polyethylene, to insure not only sufficient deformation but also rapid recovery of the valve element, for proper operation thereof, as will be described in detail below.

As best seen in FIGS. l, 2, 4 and 5, the lower cupshaped element 15 is preferably composed of an upstanding peripheral rim portion i8 and a flat transverse wall portion 2t?. The peripheral rim portion 18 is designed to lit snugly within the open end of compartment 1l and is preferably provided with an outstanding peripheral ilange 2i which rests upon the open end of the compartment. The peripheral rim portion 18 is also provided with an internal annular shoulder 22, the purpose of which will be described below, and a peripheral notch 23 extending transversely through the peripheral rim portion including shoulder 22 and opening upwardly.

The transverse wall portion 26 is preferably provided with two relatively small and centrally located through openings 24 which are communicable with the interior of the material containing compartment il. In addition, the ransverse Wall portion 20 is preferably provided with a pair of spaced and diametrically opposed guides 25. Each guide is preferably in the `form of a circular segment, the free ends of which are ilattened and coplanar, and their function will be described in detail below.

The second element i6 in closure i4 is preferably in the form of a circular disk which rests upon the upper face of the internal shoulder 22 provided in the cupshaped element 15. This disk-shaped element 16 is also provided with an enlarged central through opening 26 which is communicable with the smaller openings 24 in the cup-shaped element l5 and the interior of compartment il. In addition, as best seen in FIG. 3, the diskshaped element i6 is preferably provided with an arcuate peripheral recess 27 to facilitate insertion and removal of the element which lits snugly in the cup-shaped element on shoulder 22 therein.

Referring now to FiGS. 4 6, the closure i4 is conipleted by the intermediate valve element i7 arranged between elements l5 and i6. This element i7 is generally flat and elongated, and is preferably composed of an enlarged, generally rectangular central body portion 23 which is arranged to cover and uncover openings Z4 and is provided with an enlarged and generally D-shaped through opening 311i of intermediate size, i.e. smaller than opening 26 and larger than openings 24. As best seen in FIGS. 1 3, opening Sil is always in communication with opening 26, but is movable into and out of communication with openings 24 to establish and prevent respectively communication between openings 24 and opening 26. Returning to FIGS. 4 6, the central body portion 28 terminates at its outer end in a reduced linger pressureoperated portion 3l which extends through the notches i3, 23 in compartment li and cup-shaped element l5, respectively. The junctures of the central body portion ZS and linger operated portion 3l are preferably in the form of outwardly convex arcuate shoulders 32 which, in the closed position, are adapted to engage the inner face of shoulder 2?. in cup-shaped element l5, as shown in FIG. 4.

The .tbody portion 2S of valve element l7 also preferably includes a tapered inner end 33 formed by inwardly converging surfaces 34, and the valve element i completed by an elongated and resilient transverse wing portion co-planar with body portion 2S and generally indicated at 35. This wing portion preferably is composed of a pair of arcuate segments 35 curved concavely toward and merging at their inner ends with inner end 33, but projecting laterally beyond the sides of the enlarged central body portion 28 of the valve element in spaced relation to the convergin7 surfaces 34 of tapered end 33. These wing segments 3d are also provided with inwardly converging `arcuate outer ends 37 which engage the inner face of the peripheral rim portion 22 in the cupshaped element l5, when valve element 17 is closed, as best seen in 4.

ln assembling the closure 14, the valve element i7 is first inser-ted into the cup-shaped element 15, the inger operated portion 31 readily tting within notch 23, the enlarged central body portion 28 lfitting between guides 25, and the outer ends 37 of the wing segments 36 engaging the inner face of shoulder 22. Next, it is but a simple matter to snap the disk-shaped element or cover 16 into the cup-shaped element 1S, the former resting upon the upper face or shoulder 22 and permitting endwise reciprocation of the elongated valve element i7 along the guides 25.

ln assembling the closure i4 with the compartment ll of the dispensing device dll, the cup-shaped element l is inserted within the open end of the compartment, care being taken to ins-ure that the slot 23 in the cup-shaped element l5 and slot 13 in compartment l are alined to permit insertion of the linger operated portion 3l into notch i3. The depth to which the cup-shaped element l5 is inserted, is determined by the outstanding flange 2l which rests upon the outer end of compartment ll, and to insure a snug it between the closure 14 and the compartment 111, the outer diameter of the downwardly and inwardly tapered peripheral rim portion 1S is preferably made either the same or slightly larger than the internal diameter of the downwardly and inwardly open end of compartment ll, depending upon the material employed for each.

[in operating the closure '14 to control the flow of material from compartment lil, the valve element ll7 is reciprocated endwise in a substantially straight line trans versely of compartment ll from the closed position or FIG. 4 to the open position of HG. 5 and vice versa. This is easily accomplished by manually applying linger pressure to the outer end of the reduced portion 3l, the movement of the valve element i7 in the direction of tapered end 33 being controlled by the guides 25 on each side of the valve element. To permit such inward transverse opening movement of the valve element E7, as shown in EEG. 5, the wing segments 36 are readily deformable transversely toward the tapered inner end 33 of the valve element, and when completely deformed, these wing segments generally conform to the circular inner face of shoulder 22 in the cup-shaped element i5. ln this open position, the body portion uncovers open ings Zd, the enlarged central opening 39 within the valve element being moved into registry with the enlarged opening 26 in the disk-shaped cover element lo and into communication with the smaller openings 24 in the cupsnaped element l5. Thus, communication is established Ybetween openings 2d and each of openings 2,6 and 3a?, as

well as between such openings and the interior of compartment Ell for permitting `dispensing of the material therein.

To closeY the dispensing device, the finger pressure is simply released from portion 3l of valve element i7, and immediately, the previouslyV deformed, resilient wing seg-V ments 3d, which act like springs, recover and automatically canse closingmovement of the valve element outwardly Vin vrthe opposite direction, thereby preventing conimunication between openings 2d and opening 26, as body portion 2S covers openings 24 and opening Sil moves out of communication with openings 24. As a result, the dispensing device lli is automatically and rapidly closed,

IIt will be noted `from an examination of FGS. 4 and 5, that the D-shaped opening 3l) in -valve element E7 not only facilitates quick opening, but also rapid closing of the closure 14. The flat Side of the D-shaped opening, which side is preferably located and crosses at about the center of valve body portion 28 and faces tapered end 33, serves to open and close both openings 24 rapidly and uniformly in the initial stages of the inward and outward motion of the valve element. This makes for effective control of the dispensing and shut-oil operations. ln addition, from an examination of FlG. 2, it will be noted that the dispensing openings gradually increase in size from element l5 on up. This feature also facilitates dispensing of the material and together with the close lit between elements l5', le and i7 effectively en- .sures continued proper operation of the valve element by preventing lodging of the material, e.g. grains of salt, between such elements.

lit will now be seen how the invention accomplishes its various objects, and the advantages adherent in the invention will be apparent. lt is to be especially noted that the only movin(T part in the invention closure is the valve element, and that this element is constructed in such a manner as to be self-closing. `lvl'oreover, it will be noted that the one piece molded construction of not only the movable valve element, but also of the cup and dish-shaped elements, 'makes not only for economical manufacture, and ease of assembly and disassembly of the closure, but also for most effective operation thereof.

While this invention has been described and illustrated herein with reference to only a single, preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that various changes and modilications may be made in the invention by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is to be deterrm'ned by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A closure for a material dispensing device and comprising:

(a) a valve housing including an inner substantially cup-shaped element having a peripheral rim portion and a transverse wall portion provided with aV rst through opening, and

(b) an outer, substantially disloshaped element secured within said peripheral rim portion in spaced, substantially parallel relation with said transverse wall portion and provided with a second through opening communicable with said iirst openinggand (c) a one-piece, substantially ilat and elonga ed, sellclosing valve element arranged between said inner and outer elements and reciprocable endwise in said housing, each of said inner, outer and valve elements being formed of plastic material, Vand said valve element being formed of resilient plastic material such as polyethylene,

(d) said valve element including the following portions arranged entirely between said inner and outer elements, a body portion arranged to cover and uncover said rst opening and having a tapered end, and co-planar with said body portion,

(e) an elongated resilient transverse wing portion merging with said tapered end and projecting laterally beyond the sides of said body portion in spaced relation to said tapered end and engageable with the, interior or said peripheral rim portion, i

(f) said wing portion being deformable transverselyv toward said taperedend to permit opening move-- ment of said valve element in the direction or" saidl tapered end to uncover said iirst opening and estab lish communication between said iirst and second. openings, and Y g) recoverable `for automatically causing closing movement of said valve element in the opposite direction to cover said iirst opening and prevent communication between said first and second openings.

2. A closure for a material dispensing device and comprising:

(a) a valve housing including an inner substantially cup-shaped element having a peripheral rim portion and a substantially at transverse wall portion provided with a first through opening, and

(b) an outer, substantially dish-shaped element secured .viti in said peripheral rim portion in spaced, substantially parallel relation with said transverse Wall portion and provided with a second through opening larger than and communicable with said iirst opening; and

(c) a one-piece, substantially iiat and elongated, selfclosing valve element arranged between said inner and outer elements and reciprocable endwise in said housing,

(d) each of said inner, outer and Valve elements being formed of plastic material, and said valve element being formed of resilient plastic material such as polyethylene,

(e) said valve element includ-ing the following portions arranged entirely between said inner and outer elements, a body portion arranged to cover and uncover said iirst opening, and co-planar with said body portion,

(f) an elongated resilient transverse wing portion,

(g) said body portion having a tapered end and a third, generally -shaped through opening of intermediate size arranged intermediate its ends with the iiat side of said third D-shaped opening facing said tapered end,

(lz) said third opening being movable into and out of communication with said first opening to establish and prevent respectively communication between said rst and second openings,

(i) said wing portion including a pair of arcuate segments concavely curved toward and merging at their inner ends with said tapered end but projecting lateraily beyond the sides of said body portion in spaced relation to said tapered end and engageable with the interior of said peripheral rim portion,

y(j) said segments being deformable transversely toward said tapered end for permitting opening movement of said valve element in the direction of said tapered end to uncover said rst opening and establlsh communication between said iirst opening and each of said second and third openings, and

(ic) recoverable for automatically causing closing movement of said valve element in the opposite direction to cover said iirst opening and prevent communication between said first opening and each of said second and third openings.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 823,381 Williamson et al June l2, 1906 1,627,781 Kendall May 10, 1927 1,737,014 Lindgren Nov. 26, 1929 1,989,049 Gainer Nov. 6, 1934 2,600,818 Bom erger May 7, 19135 2,971,680 Wilson et al Feb. 14, 1961

Claims

1. A CLOSURE FOR A MATERIAL DISPENSING DEVICE AND COMPRISING: (A) A VALVE HOUSING INCLUDING AN INNER SUBSTANTIALLY CUP-SHAPED ELEMENT HAVING A PERIPHERAL RIM PORTION AND A TRANSVERSE WALL PORTION PROVIDED WITH A FIRST THROUGH OPENING, AND (B) AN OUTER, SUBSTANTIALLY DISK-SHAPED ELEMENT SECURED WITHIN SAID PERIPHERAL RIM PORTION IN SPACED, SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL RELATION WITH SAID TRANSVERSE WALL PORTION AND PROVIDED WITH A SECOND THROUGH OPENING COMMUNICABLE WITH SAID FIRST OPENING; AND (C) A ONE-PIECE, SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT AND ELONGATED, SELFCLOSING VALVE ELEMENT ARRANGED BETWEEN SAID INNER AND OUTER ELEMENTS AND RECIPROCABLE ENDWISE IN SAID HOUSING, EACH OF SAID INNER, OUTER AND VALVE ELEMENTS BEING FORMED OF PLASTIC MATERIAL, AND SAID VALVE ELEMENT BEING FORMED OF RESILIENT PLASTIC MATERIAL SUCH AS POLYETHYLENE, (D) SAID VALVE ELEMENT INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING PORTIONS ARRANGED ENTIRELY BETWEEN SAID INNER AND OUTER ELEMENTS, A BODY PORTION ARRANGED TO COVER AND UNCOVER SAID FIRST OPENING AND HAVING A TAPERED END, AND CO-PLANAR WITH SAID BODY PORTION, (E) AN ELONGATED RESILIENT TRANSVERSE WING PORTION MERGING WITH SAID TAPERED END AND PROJECTING LATERALLY BEYOND THE SIDES OF SAID BODY PORTION IN SPACED RELATION TO SAID TAPERED END AND ENGAGEABLE WITH THE INTERIOR OF SAID PERIPHERAL RIM PORTION, (F) SAID WING PORTION BEING DEFORMABLE TRANSVERSELY TOWARD SAID TAPERED END TO PERMIT OPENING MOVEMENT OF SAID VALVE ELEMENT IN THE DIRECTION OF SAID TAPERED END TO UNCOVER SAID FIRST OPENING AND ESTABLISH COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND OPENINGS, AND (G) RECOVERABLE FOR AUTOMATICALLY CAUSING CLOSING MOVEMENT OF SAID VALVE ELEMENT IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO COVER SAID FIRST OPENING AND PREVENT COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND OPENINGS.