US3181735A

US3181735A - Pressurized dispenser

Info

Publication number: US3181735A
Application number: US216785A
Authority: US
Inventors: John J Miskel; George A Bailey
Original assignee: White Laboratories Inc
Current assignee: White Laboratories Inc
Priority date: 1962-08-14
Filing date: 1962-08-14
Publication date: 1965-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 1982-05-04

Description

May 1965 J. J. MISKEL ETAL PRESSURIZED DISPENSER Filed Aug. 14. 1962 INVENIOR JOHN J. MISKEL GEORGE BAILEY FIG.2.

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,181,735 PRESSURIZED DISPENSER John J. Miskel, East Orange, and George A. Bailey, Mountainside, N.J., assignors to White Laboratories, Inc., Kenilworth, NJ., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Aug. 14, 1962, Ser. No. 216,785 4 Claims. (Cl. 222--95) This invention relates to a pressurized dispenser for viscous materials and more particularly to a pressurized dispenser for sterilized ointments, salves, and other medicaments having emollient, protective, soothing, healing and/or skin hydrating action, and other materials such as creams and other foods that must be packaged and remain sterile until use and where the propellent must be kept separated from the product.

Pressurized dispensers 'for viscous materials of the type in which the viscous material is squeezed from a collapsible inner casing by means of a gas or liquid propellent confined within an outer casing surrounding the collapsible inner casing are known. However, dispensers of this type are either unsuitable or unsatisfactory for the packaging and dispensing of sterilized viscous material as it is either impossible to completely sterilize known dispensers of this type, particularly the inner casing, due to its necessary flexible and collapsible properties, or in those dispensers where sterilizable and collapsible inner casings are employed, it is difficult if not impossible to even approach the complete evacuation of the collapsible inner casing. Further, previous packages have permitted diffusion of the propellant through the inner casing to contaminate the product.

In the past, collapsible inner casings have been formed of laminated fabrics, plastic, rubber, and synthetic materials, in order to provide an easily deformable container for the viscous material to be dispensed. However, these materials have not proven satisfactory for the packaging of sterile ointrnents and other medicaments because these materials have not been able to withstand the necessary sterilizing temperature or treatment. Also these materials are subject to imperfections, perforations, pinholes, abrasions or characteristic diffusion and other defects and thus permeable to the gas or liquid propellent confined within the dispenser. This results in contamination of the viscous material within the collapsible casing as well as a loss of propellent and the inefficient evacuation of the inner casing.

In those instances where the collapsible inner casing has been formed of material capable of withstanding the sterilization treatment and which maintain the material within the inner casing completely sterile and free of contamination by the propellent, it has been found impossible to completely dispense all of the material within the collapsible casing. As a matter of fact, a large amount of the viscous material remains entrapped within the inner casing, resulting in excessive costs to the user. This is particularly true in. the case of expensive ointments, dressings, and other medicaments. Contamination of these products and especially foods with tpropellent is highly undesirable.

Although many designs and arrangement have been proposed in an attempt to provide a pressurized package and dispenser for sterile products so far as known, no pressurized dispenser is'presently available that overcomes the noted objections. Furthermore, even those presently available pressurized dispensers that are re asonably satisfactory are of'poor design and diflicult to manufacture while at the same time maintaining an absolutely sterile and propellant-free packaged product. For instance, many pressurized dispensers employ a diptube which has been found ineflicient in operation (dip- 3,181,735 Patented May 4, 1965 tube restricts position of operation of dispenser), as well as cumbersome in the packaging of this type of product.

In other arrangements, although a sterilizable collapsible inner casing has been employed there is a tendency for the inner casing to collapse over the valve entr apping a large percentage of the viscous material therein. To overcome this disadvantage it has been proposed to internally support the inner casing by means of a frame or gauze or the like. However, these arrangements have likewise not proven satisfactory and introduce even further difliculties in maintaining the packaged product absolutely sterile as well as increase the cost of manufacture.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a pressurized dispenser for sterile materials such as certain foods, ointments, dressings, and other medicaments, comprising a minimum of individually sterilizable elements that can he quickly, easily and economically assembled to form a completely sterile package.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pressurized dispenser of the gas or liquid propellent type capable of dispensing or propelling percent or more of viscous material from the collapsible inner casing.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a pressurized dispenser of'the gas or liquid propellent type comprising an outer casing and a collapsible inner casing and including cooperating means formed on said outer and inner casings insuring the nearly complete dispensing of the packaged material.

These and many other objects are obtained by our invention which in general comprises a flanged openmouthed outer casing and a flanged open-mouthed inner casing formed of a collapsible material such as aluminum, lead, or tin concentrically mounted within said outer casing, the flange of said inner casing engaging and of the same Width as the flange of said outer casing. The collapsible inner casing is filled with a viscous material and provided with a rigid circular concave, convex or flat base of slightly smaller diameter than the inner diameter or the outer casing whereby the circular base of the inner casing acts as a guide preventing isolated formation of viscous material within the inner casing as the inner casing collapses.

Valve means which may include an inner sealing gasket are double-seamed over the flanges of the outer and inner casings forming a chamber between the inner and outer casings which is filled with a measured amount of sterile liquefiable propellent such as fluorinated hydrocarbon l2 (Freon 12). As the flange-of the inner casing is of the same width as that of the outer casing it is seamed completely over the outer casing flange-assuring a positive seal by maintaining a large sealing surface area between the two respective flanges.

The liquefiable propellent exerts a substantially constant and uniform pressure at any given temperature upon the circular base and the side walls of the inner casing whereby the viscous material is propelled or dispensed from the inner casing when the valve means are opened. As the viscous material is dispensed, the inner casing collapses causing the circular base to rise within the outer casing. As the diameter of the rigid circular base is only slightly less than the inner diameter of the outer casing and remains constant, it has a tendency to engage the inner surface of the outer casing upon but slight side- Wise movement causing the circular base to'remain in a substantially parallel position relative to the base of the outer casing. This prevents the collapsible inner casing from twisting or the, circular base from tilting. and thus isolated formations of viscous material within theinner casing assuring a substantially complete evacuation of the inner casing. Fur-ther, the rigidity of the inner casing precludes the sealing-oil of areas containing the product.

That is, channels are open for continued flow of product.

To enhance this cooperation between the circular base and the outer casing and thus assuring a complete discharge or dispensing of the viscous material from the collapsible inner casing, the circular base may be provided with a projecting shoulder and the outer casing provided with a vertical recess or keyway for freely receiving the projecting shoulder.

These and many other advantages of our invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of our invention when read in view of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of our invention illustrating the manner in which a collapsible innet casing is concentrically received within an outer casing, said inner and outer casing being sealingly closed by valve means double-seamed thereover, and

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of our invention as shown in FIGURE 1 and which includes a projecting shoulder on said inner casing and a vertical recess formed in said outer casing for freely receiving said projecting shoulder.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 a preferred embodiment of our invention especially adapted for the packaging and dispensing of viscous materials, particularly sterilized ointments and dressings, includes an outer open-mouthed cylindrical casing 11 having a convex base and an annular flange 12 formed thereon and an inner openmouthed semi-rigid collapsible cylindrical casing 13 also having an annular flange 14 formed thereon and shorter in length than the outer casing 11 concentrically mounted within the outer casing 11.

The diameter of the inner casing 13 is enlarged at its mouth or open end to form a neck portion 15 that is substantially of the same outer diameter as the inner diameter of the outer casing 11. When inserted into the outer casing 11, the neck portion 15 of the inner casing 13 engages the outer casing holding the inner casing in place. The

flanges

12 and 14 are of the respective width so there is a substantially full overlap of the two flanges providing a maximum sealing surface area where the flanges are seamed together.

The inner casing 13 is filled with a viscous material such as a sterilized ointment or dressing, and both the outer and inner casings 1-1 and 13 are sealed by a can end valve assembly 16 including a spout 17 and a twist top 18 double-seamed over the

flanges

12 and 14. An inner sealing gasket 19 may also be employed to assure a positive seal. The sealed chamber 21 formed between the outer and inner casings 11 and 13 is filled with a measured amount of liquefiable propellent such as a fluorinated hydrocarbon, i.e., Freon 12.

In practice, both the outer and inner casings 11 and 13 may be extruded or drawn blind end tubes formed of any light gage metal having the necessary properties. Although the outer and inner casings 1-1 and 13 may be formed of a number of different materials in a variety of ways, we have found that extruded or drawn blind end aluminum tubes are preferred.

Where drawn aluminum casings are employed the outer casing 11 is of a heavier gage so as to provide sutficient rigidity and wall strength to permit packaging and handling of the dispenser without undue deformation. Suitable labels, trade names and other information may be applied directly to the outer casing.

The semi-rigid collapsible inner casing 13 may also be formed of extruded or drawn aluminum of a light gage such as .O06".Ol2" and is provided with a flat rigid,

circular base 22 of constant diameter. The base 22 may also be concave or convex if desired. The choice of materials for the semi-rigid collapsible inner casing 13 is critical as the inner casing must be impervious to gas or liquids, able to withstand sterilizing temperatures, of 121 C. or more, and have substantially uniform wall strength permitting uniform collapse and contraction without i twisting about its longitudinal axis. Drawn or extruded aluminum fulfills these requirements, although lead and tin may also be employed.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the inner casing 13 is slightly smaller in diameter and shorter in length than the outer casing 11. In a preferred embodiment of our dispenser, and although the physical dimensions of the dispenser are subject to variation as determined by the size of the dispenser desired, an outer open-mouthed casing 11 of aluminum 4% inches long and having a /8 inch wide flange and an internal diameter of 2% inch may be employed.

The semi-rigid, collapsible inner casing 13 may also be of aluminum and 4 inches long with a /s wide flange and an initial external diameter of 2 inches. It is important to note that the diameter of the rigid base 22 is also 2 inches and remains constant, and that the

flanges

12 and 14 are of the same width, the importance of which will become apparent.

Prior to assembly the components of our dispenser are individually sterilized and the sterilized inner casing filled aseptically with a pro-sterilized viscous material such as a medicated ointment, dressing or the like. Before top loading the inner casing 13 in the outer casing 11 a measured amount (15 grams) of Freon 12 at a temperature of approximately 50 C. is placed in the outer casing 11.

Upon loading the inner casing 13 in the outer casing, a conventional can end valve assembly 16 including a spout 17 such as an Oil Equipment Laboratory 202 can end valve and an Oil Equipment Laboratory C-559 spout, both of which are commercially available and manufactured by Oil Equipment Laboratories, Inc, Elizabeth, New Jersey, is double-seamed over the

flanges

12 and 14 to sealingly close the inner casing and the propellent chamber 21 formed between the outer and inner casings 11 and 13. An inner sealing gasket 19 may also be employed.

In double-seaming the can end valve assembly 16 over the

flanges

12 and 14, it is observed that the width of the

flanges

12 and 14 are equal, and because of the neck portion 15 on which the flange 14 is formed there is a substantially complete overlap of the

flanges

12 and 14, therefore assuring a maximum sealing surface area between the flanges when the flange 14 is crimped over the flange 12 by the can end valve assembly 16.

With this easily assembled pressurized dispenser we provide a 5-02. package of sterile ointment, dressing or other viscous material under approximately 70 lbs. pressure at 70 F. Because of the properties of and the tolerances between the outer and inner casings 11 and 13, the inner casing 13 is subjected to a substantially uniform and constant pressure. Of course, liquids, grease, lotions, food products, frostings, cosmetics, and the like may be similarly packaged.

In operation, it is merely necessary to actuate the can end valve assembly 16 with the dispenser in any position so as to dispense the desired quantity of the packaged sterilized product from the spout. The can end valve assembly 16 may be provided with a conventional twistto-open and close type top 18 and the spout with a suitable cap or cover 20.

Upon opening the can end valve assembly 16, the viscous material within the inner casing 13 is dispensed through the spout at a substantially constant flow rate. The neck 15 and outer casing 11 cooperate to securely support the inner casing 13 and as the semi-rigid, collapsible inner casing collapses it contracts along its longitudinal axis, the relatively closely fitting flat rigid, circular base 22, remaining substantially parallel with the end of the outer casing 11. The uniform contraction of the securely sup-ported inner casing eliminates twisting of the inner casing 13 along and about its longitudinal axis, thus greatly reducing isolated formations of the viscous material within the casing. This prevents the inner casing 13 from collapsing over the valve opening.

hancing the uniform contraction and the elimination of twisting of the inner casing along and about its longitudinal axis is shown in FIGURE 2. In this arrangement the fiat rigid, circular base 22 is provided with a flat, relatively narrow projecting shoulder 23 having a curved end substantially corresponding to the curvature of the diameter of the outer casing 11. The projecting shoulder 23 which acts as a key is freely received Within a slight vertical recess or indentation 24 which forms a keyway within the side wall of the outer casing 11, thus preventing any twisting of the inner casing 13 during the collapse and contraction of the inner casing 13 as the viscous material is dispensed.

Although certain specific embodiments of our invention have been shown and described, it will, of course, be understood that various and other modifications may be made without departing from the principles of the invention and, therefore, the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A pressurized dispenser especially adapted for viscous material comprising a cylindrical open-mouthed outer casing having an annular flange thereon, a metal sterilizable semi-rigid collapsible cylindrical and openmouthed inner casing filled with viscous material to be dispensed mounted concentrically Within said outer casing having a rigid circular base of slightly smaller diameter than said outer casing, and an enlarged neck portion adjacent the open mouth of said inner casing, said enlarged neck portion beingof substantially the same outer diameter as the inner diameter of said outer casing and frictionally engaging said outer casing and spacedly supporting said inner casing within said outer casing, said inner casing being of shorter length than said outer casing and having an annular flange surrounding said open mouth engaging said annular flange on said outer casing; open and close type valve means double-seamed over said annular flanges of said outer and inner casings sealingly closing said inner casing and forming a sealed chamber between said outer and inner casings, said chamber being filled with a measured amount of liquefied propellent, whereby a uniform propellent gas pressure is constantly and continually.

2. A pressurized dispenser as defined in claim 1 wherein said flanges on said outer and inner casings are of substantially the same width, said flange on said inner casing substantially completely overlapping said flange on said outer casing, thereby providing a maximum sealing surface area between said respective flanges when said valve 7 means is double-seamed thereover.

3. A pressurized dispenser as defined in claim 1 including means formed on said rigid circular base for-cooperating with said outer casing to prevent twisting of said inner casing and isolated formation of said viscous material withinsaid inner casing.

4. A pressurized dispenser especially adapted for viscous material comprising a cylindricalv open-mouthed outer casing provided with a keyway in the side wall thereof and having an annular flange thereon, a semirigid collapsible cylindrical and open-mouthed inner casing filled with viscous material to be dispensed mounted concentrically within said outer casing and'having a rigid circular base provided with a key, said key fitting in said keyway preventing twisting of said inner casing about its longitudinal axis upon contraction of said inner casing along its longitudinal axis, said base having a slightly smaller diameter than said outer casing, and an enlarged neck portion adjacent the open mouth of said innercasing,

said enlarged neck portion being ofsubstantially the same outer diameter as the inner diameter ofsaid outer casing and frictionally engaging said outer casing and spacedly supporting said inner casing within said outer casing therein, said inner casing being of shorter length than said outer casing and having an annular flange surrounding said open mouth engaging said annular flange on said outer casing; valve means double-seamed over said annular flanges of said outer and inner casings sealingly. closing said inner casing and forming a sealed chamber between said outerv and inner casings,'said chamber being filled with a measured amount of liquefied propellent, whereby a uniform gas pressure is'exerted. on the side walls of said semirigid collapsible. inner casing dispensing said viscous material from said are opened.

'7 References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, LOUIS J. DEMBO, Examiners.

inner casing whenlsaid valve means

Claims

1. A PRESSURIZED DISPENSER ESPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VISCOUS MATERIAL COMPRISING A CYLINDRICAL OPEN-MOUTHED OUTER CASING HAVING AN ANNULAR FLANGE THEREON, A METAL STERILIZABLE SEMI-RIGID COLLAPSIBLE CYLINDRICAL AND OPENMOUTHED INNER CASING FILLED WITH VISCOUS MATERIAL TO BE DISPENSED MOUNTED CONCENTRICALLY WITHIN SAID OUTER CASING HAVING A RIGID CIRCULAR BASE OF SLIGHTLY SMALLER DIAMETER THAN SAID OUTER CASING, AND AN ENLARGED NECK PORTION ADJACENT THE OPEN MOUTH OF SAID INNER CASING, SAID ENLARGED NECK PORTION BEING OF SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME OUTER DIAMETER AS THE INNER DIAMETER OF SAID OUTER CASING AND FRICTIONALLY ENGAGING SAID OUTER CASING AND SPACEDLY SUPPORTING SAID INNER CASING WITHIN SAID OUTER CASING, SAID INNER CASING BEING OF SHORTER LENGTH THAN SAID OUTER CASING AND HAVING AN ANNULAR FLANGE SURROUNDING SAID OPEN MOUTH ENGAGING SAID ANNULAR FLANGE ON SAID OUTER CASING; OPEN AND CLOSE TYPE VALVE MEANS DOUBLE-SEAMED OVER SAID ANNULAR FLANGES OF SAID OUTER AND INNER CASINGS SEALINGLY CLOSING SAID INNER CASING AND FORMING A SEALED CHAMBER BETWEEN SAID OUTER AND INNER CASINGS, SAID CHAMBER BEING FILLED WITH A MEASURED AMOUNT OF LIQUEFIED PROPELLENT, WHEREBY A UNIFORM PROPELLENT GAS PRESSURE IS CONSTANTLY AND CONTINUALLY EXERTED ON THE BASE AND SIDE WALLS OF SAID SEMI-RIGID COLLAPSIBLE INNER CASING THEREBY DISPENSING SAID VISCOUS MATERIAL FROM SAID INNER CASING WHEN SAID VALVE MEANS ARE OPENED BY GRADUALLY COLLAPSING THE SIDE WALLS WHICH THEN CONTRACT ALONG THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID INNER CASING CAUSING THE CIRCULAR BASE TO RISE AND SQUEEZE OUT THE DESIRED QUANTITY OF VISCOUS MATERIAL TO BE DISPENSED.