US3606966A - Aerosol dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A DISPENSER FOR AEROSOL CONTAINERS COMPRISING A CONTAINER END WALL MEMBER HAVING A BORE THERETHROUGH AND A PAIR OF UPSTANDING ANNULAR RADIALLY SPACED RIMS AT THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE END WALL MEMBER CONCENTRIC WITH THE BORE. AN AUXILIARY RESILIENT SEALING MEBER IS DISPOSED IN THE ANNULAR GROOVE BETWEEN THE RIMS. A SHANK EXTENDS THROUGH THE BORE AND IS PROVIDED WITH AN OPERATING MEMBER AT ITS OUTER END HAVING AN ANNULAR PORTION IN SEALING CONTACT WITH THE SEALING MEMBER. THE INNER END OF THE SHANK IS PROVIDED WITH A VALVE WHICH SEATS AGAINST A PRIMARY RESILIENT SEALING MEMBER INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE VALVE AND THE INNER SURFACE OF THE END WALL MEMBER.

THE OPERATING MEMBER HAS A PAIR OF DEPENDING LOCKING POSTS WHICH NORMALLY ENGAGE THE TOP SURFACE OF THE OUTER RIM OF THE END WALL MEMBER TO PREVENT ACTUATION OF THE VALVE. THE OPERATING MEMBER IS ROTATABLE TO BRING THE LOCKING POSTS INTO REGISTRY WITH CORRESPONDING RECESSES IN THE OUTER RIM TO PERMIT DEPRESSION OF THE OPERATING MEMBER AGAINST THE RESILIENT RESISTANCE OF THE AUXILIARY SEALING MEMBER AND THEREBY UNSEAT THE VALVE TO EFFECT DISPENSING OF THE AEROSOL CONTENTS AROUND THE SHANK AND THROUGH A DISCHARGE OENING IN THE OPERATING MEMBER.

Description

Sept. 21, 1.971 J. M. RAIT 3,606,966

AEROSOL DISPENSER Filed June 6, 1969 INVENTOR. JOSEPH M. RAIT A TTORNEYS 3,606,966 Patented Sept. 21, 1971 3,606,966 AEROSOL DISPENSER Joseph M. Rait, Bulfalo, N.Y., assignor to Pelorex Corp., Buffalo, N.Y. Filed June 6, 1969, Ser. No. 831,115 Int. Cl. B65d 83/06 US. Cl. 222402.11 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A dispenser for aerosol containers comprising a container end wall member having a bore therethrough and a pair of upstanding annular radially spaced rims at the outer surface of the end wall member concentric with the bore. An auxiliary resilient sealing member is disposed in the annular groove between the rims. A shank extends through the bore and is provided with an operating member at its outer end having an annular portion in sealing contact with the sealing member. The inner end of the shank is provided with a valve which seats against a primary resilient sealing member interposed between the valve and the inner surface of the end wall member. The operating member has a pair of depending locking posts which normally engage the top surface of the outer rim of the end wall member to prevent actuation of the valve. The operating member is rotatable to bring the locking posts into registry with corresponding recesses in the outer rim to permit depression of the operating member against the resilient resistance of the auxiliary sealing member and thereby unseat the valve to effect dispensing of the aerosol contents around the shank and through a discharge opening in the operating member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to dispensing closure constructions for containers and, more particularly, to closures for pressurized dispensing containers of the aerosol type.

In aerosol dispensing containers of a known type, the container is provided with a top end wall member having a bore therein and a closure and operating member generally comprising an elongated shank which is slidably journaled or tiltable in the bore of the top end member and has at its inner end an enlargement which forms a valve and seats against an inwardly facing valve seat which is a part of or disposed against the inner face of the aforesaid top end wall member of the container.

In some types of closures this operating member further includes an enlargement at its outer end in the form of an annular flange which extends radially outwardly and axially inwardly toward the container top end wall member to bear against the outer surface of the end wall mem-' her at its marginal portion. The operating member is formed of a synthetic resin or other material having physical properties such that the annular flange portion is resilient and serves as a return spring by reason of its resilience for urging the operating member outwardly to a normal sealing position.

In other types of closures of this class the operating member is an inverted cup-shaped member which fits over a projection at the top of the container, in which case a spring is usually employed for normally holding the operating member in an outward valve-closing position.

In prior art dispensers of this general type wherein the material passes around or through a shank which has a valve at its inner end during dispensing, vexatious problem exists by reason of possible leakage of the maerial laterally between the container proper and the operating member at the outer end of the shank particularly during dispensing operations wherein the valve is unseated and the primary seal is therefore ineffective. This problem is particularly troublesome with relatively free flowing materials. Also, the dispensing closures of these prior art structures are generally exposed and susceptible to accidental, negligent or inadvertant depression whereby the contents are unintentionaly dispensed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The dispensing closure of the present invention, as hereinafter described, obviates the above deficiencies by providing an improved dispensing closure, which is simple and strong in construction, low in cost, durable and rugged in use, leakproof, and which includes safety lock means for preventing accidental or unintentional dispensing of pressurized contents from within the container.

Generally speaking, the dispensing closure of the present invention comprises a container including a top end wall member with a central bore therein and a pair of radially spaced, upstanding, annular rims integral with the outer surface of such top end wall member and concentric with the bore therein. An auxiliary resilient sealing gasket is disposed in the groove between the annular rims of such top end wall member.

A shank extends generally axially through the central bore of the top end wall member and has an enlargement at its inner end which forms a valve and seats against a primary resilient sealing gasket interposed between the valve and the inner surface of the top end wall member. The outer end of the shank is secured to an operating member which has a portion engaging the auxiliary sealing gasket to provide a fluid tight seal between the operating member and the top end wall member. This auxiliary resilient sealing gasket also serves to urge the operating member outwardly to a valve closing position when manual pressure is relased from the operating member. A pair of locking posts depend from the upper portion of the operating member and engage the outer rim to prevent actuation of the valve and inadvertent d scharge of the container contents. The operating member must be ro a ed to a dispensing position wherein the posts are aligned with corresponding recesses provided in the outer rim to permit depression of the operating member and axial inward movement of the shank to unseat the valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a vertical cross sectional view taken centrally through one form of a container and dispensing closure combination constructed in accordance with the present invention. illustrating the operating member in a position wherein dispensing operation is prevented;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing both the body and the closure in rotated positions wherein the dispensing closure may be operated;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 in FIG. 1 looking upwardly in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken on the line 44 in FIG. 1 looking downwardly in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken on the line 55 in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For the general purposes of the disclosure of the principles of the present invention, it may be assumed that the container of the embodiment illustrated herein is generally cylindrical although it is to be understood that the closures and dispensing mechanisms which form the subject matter of the invention may be applied with equal effect to containers of other shapes and forms. In FIG. 1, the numeral 15 designates a tubular or hollow cylindrical container body having an integral bottom end wall 16 and a top end wall member 17 which, in the present instance, has an annular marginal groove 18 in its underside which fits over the upper end of body 15.

The top end wall 17 may be permanently secured to body by the use of an adhesive, by heat sealing the same, or in any other desired manner. In the alternative, the top end Wall 17 may be integral with the cylindrical body 15 and the bottom end wall 16 may be a separate closure member, in which case the valve member and the contents will be introduced to the container through the bottom prior to the application of the bottom wall. The terms top, bottom, upper, lower, upwardly, downwardly, and the like, as used herein, are applied only for convenience of description with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.

The top surface of the top end wall 17 is provided with a pair of spaced annular walls or rims 19 and 20 defining an annular groove 21 therebetween. A sealing member in the form of an annular resilient sealing gasket 22 is received in groove 21 and provides a seal for the operating member as will hereinafter become apparent. Wall 17 also is provided with a central bore 23.

The principal operating component of the container closure and dispensing means is designated generally 24 and comprises an axially extending shank 25 loosely extending through and rotatably journaled in the central bore 23 of top end wall 17. The shank 25 has a generally discoidal valve enlargement 26 at its inner end and a manual operating member 27 attached to its outer end. A sealing member in the form of an annular resilient swling gasket 28 formed of rubber or any other suitably resiliently yieldable elastomeric material, such as neoprene for example, is interposed between valve 26 and the interior surface of top end wall 17.

The upper or outer end of shank 25 has a reduced diameter portion 29 provided with a head formation 30 and in the present instance the central opening in the operating member 27 is stepped, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, so that assembly of shank 25 with respect to the operating member 27 may be effected by inserting the upper or outer end of shank '25 through the opening in operating member 27 and the resilience of the latter will cause the head formation 30 to snap into assembled position. This assembly will be effected after shank '25 has been assembled upwardly through the opening in top end wall member 17.

Operating member 27 comprises an outer 'wall portion 32 having a beveled top surface 33 and a downwardly extending skirt portion 34 loosely encircling outer annular rim 19 and spaced from the upper or exterior surface of top end wall member 17 A perforation 35 is provided in body portion 32 and terminates in outwardly flaring conical passage 36 therein forming the dispensing outlet port of the device.

Depending downwardly from body portion 32 and spaced radially inwardly of skirt portion 34 is an annular wall 38 adapted to seat on resilient sealing gasket 22. A significant feature of this invention is the provision of resilient sealing gasket 22 which serves to seal against fluid leakage between operating member 27 and top end wall member 17 and also to urge the operating member resiliently to valve-closing position.

Downward pressure exerted on operating member 27 acts against gasket 22 to further enhance pressure seallng about top end wall member 17 during the discharge of the container contents through passage 36. Also, resilient gasket 22 serves as a restoring means for operating member 27 by exerting a force on operating member 27 when the downward pressure is released thereon to urge and restore operating member 27 to its normal closed position illustrated in FIG. 1 thus eliminating the necessity for a separate return spring such as is usually required in closures of this general type.

Another important feature of the present invention is the provision of safety lock means to preclude accidental or inadvertent valve actuation and the resulting release of the pressurized contents of the container body 15. Such means includes a pair of diametrically opposed projections in the form of locking posts 40 extending downwardly from wall portion 32 of member 27 between skirt portion 34 and wall 38. The lower ends of posts 40 engage the upper surface of outer annular rim 19 in the normally closed position of valve 26 illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein the valve is securely seated and the contents of the container are sealed against egress. In this position, downward pressure exerted on operating member 27 will not depress the same because of the abutment of posts 40 with the upper surface of annular rim 19. Rotational movement of operating member in the counterclockwise direction as viewed from above is limited by stops 41 (FIGS. 4 and 5) projecting upwardly from rim 19 and in the opposite direction by stops 42.

When it is desired to release the pressurized contents, the operating member 27 is manually rotated relative to the top end wall member 17 in a clockwise direction until posts 40 abut stops 42 and are in registry with a pair of diametrically opposed recesses or openings 43 in rim 19. Then downward manual pressure applied anywhere about the top of operating member 27 will allow inward movement thereof because posts 40 are free to move axially into recesses 43. Shank 25 then moves axially inwardly to unseat valve 26 or, in alternative designs, may move to a slightly inclined position to tilt valve 2.6 from a seated position. Material under pressure within the container will thus move over the upper side of the displaced or tilted valve through the bore 23 in top end wall member 17 about shank 2-5, and outwardly through perforation 35 and outlet passage 36.

If a more pronounced and positive tilting action of shank .25 is desired, the central bore 23 in top end Wall member 17 may be of an hour-glass form. As soon as pressure is removed from operating member 27, the natural resiliency of gasket 22 acts against wall 38 and thereby urges operating member 27 upwardly to cause the same to move shank 25 upwardly and elfect secure seating of valve 26. Operating member 27 may then be rotated until posts 40 abut stops 41 to preclude accidental actuation of valve 26.

The sealing projection 38 and locking posts 40 are formed integral with the operating member 27 and may be molded of synthetic or other plastic materials. The manual operating member may take various outside dimensions and shapes or configurations within the purview of this invention. Although two diametrically opposed locking posts and corresponding slots are conveniently employed for most purposes, it will be understood that any necessary or desired number may be used and that they may be arranged in any suitable pattern and formed in any suitable shape.

The present invention thus provides a simple sealing arrangement for an aerosol dispenser having a second resilient gasket on the side of the top end wall member opposite the valve member for precluding fluid leakage between the top end wall member and the operating member. Also, the resilient gasket serves as a restoring means for urging the manual operating member into valve closing position when pressure is released therefrom. By the provision of locking posts, accidental or inadvertent actuation of the valve and unintentional dispensing of the pressured contents from the container is prevented.

A conventional dip tube will usually be provided to insure dispensing of contents from the lower portion of the container. Such a dip tube is illustrated at 50 in FIG. 1 only.

A preferred embodiment of this invention has been described and illustrated herein but it is to be understood that numerous modifications may be made without departing from the broad spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A dispensing closure structure for pressurized containers comprising: a container having an end wall member provided with a bore; a pair of spaced concentric annular rims extending outwardly from the outer surface of said end wall member about said bore and defining a groove therebetween; a resilient sealing member disposed in said groove and contacting said outer surface of said end wall member; a shank loosely slidable in said bore and having an operating means at its outer end provided with a discharge passage; said operating means having an inwardly directed annular wall portion engageable against said resilient sealing member; valve means at the inner end of said shank movable outwardly against the inner surface of said end wall member for valving engagement therewith; said resilient sealing member normally biasing said operating means outwardly to maintain said valve closed to seal the pressurized contents of the container.

2. A dispensing closure structure according to claim. 1 including a resilient annular seal between said valve means and said inner surface of said end wall member.

3. A dispensing closure structure according to claim 1 wherein said operating means has at least one projection normally engageable with the upper edge of the outer one of said rims whereby axial inward movement of said shank is normally prevented and wherein said outer rim is provided with a recess and said operating means is rotatable to bring said projection into registry with said recess to permit depression thereof and axial inward movement of said shank to unseat said valve and dispense material from said container.

4. A dispensing closure structure according to claim 3 wherein said outer rim has a plurality of recesses and said operating means has a plurality of corresponding projections.

5. A dispensing closure structure according to claim 3 including stop means on said outer rim for limiting rotational movement of said operating means in both directions.

6. A dispensing closure structure according to claim 1 wherein said operating means has a skirt portion extending loosely about the outer one of said rims.

7. A dispensing closure structure according to claim 3 wherein said operating means has a skirt portion extending loosely about the outer one of said rims.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,6 1 0,940 9/ 195 2 Endicott 222402.24X 2,835,418 5/1958 Manetti 222402.24 3,146,916 9/ 1964 Kronheim 222=402.24X 3,426,948 2/ 1969 Stirling 222402. 11 3,484,023 12/ 1969 Meshberg 222-402.l1

r SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner N. L. STACK, JR., Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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