US3731855A

US3731855A - Pressurized containers

Info

Publication number: US3731855A
Application number: US00158194A
Authority: US
Inventors: K Vos
Original assignee: SC Johnson and Son Inc
Current assignee: SC Johnson and Son Inc
Priority date: 1971-06-30
Filing date: 1971-06-30
Publication date: 1973-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 1990-05-08

Abstract

This invention relates to a pressurized package of the class which includes a container for receiving a product, propellant means in the container for discharging the product from the container, and a dispensing assembly mounted on the container which is characterized by an actuating lever that shifts laterally for unsealing a slide valve against which sealing is normally at least partially effected by the internal container pressure.

Description

Ufilltfififi States Patent 1 11 3,731,855 V05 May 8, 1973 [54] PRESSURIZED CONTAINERS 2,699,883 1 1955 Meyers ..222 559 x 2,595,000 4/1952 Ruetz ..222/56l X [75] Inventor Kenneth Racme 1,800,774 4 1931 Bosecker ..222/561 x [73] Assignee: S. C. Johnson 8: Son, Inc., Racine,

Wis. Primary ExaminerRobert B. Reeves [22] Filed: June 30, 1971 Assistant Examiner-lohn P. Shannon, Jr.

Att0rney]oseph T. K1vl1n, Jr. et al. [21} Appl. No; 158,194

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. ..222/394, 222/512, 222/555, This invention relates to a pressurized package of the 222/561 class which includes a container for receiving a [51] hit. C l. ..B65fli 83/14 product propellant means in the Container for Flfild of Search discharging the product from the container, and a 222/394 dispensing assembly mounted on the container which 1 9/ is characterized by an actuating lever that shifts laterally for unsealing a slide valve against which seal- [56] References Cited ing is normally at least partially effected by the inter UNITED STATES PATENTS Hal container Pressure- 3,201,081 8/1965 Lyon et al. ..251/l72 11 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures 1 PRESSURIZED CONTAINERS This invention relates to pressurized containers and more particularly to dispensing valves for such containers.

It is well known to employ a propellant for dispensing a product from a container in the form of an aerosol, for example. These containers are equipped with dispensing assemblies which are operated by means of manual push-down buttons that actuate conventional shut-off valves. Examples of this type of structure are shown in US. patent application Ser. No. 2018, filed Jan. 12, 1970. While these structures are desirable in many respects, our contribution to the art is an improvement upon the features of such structures as will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Difficulties were experienced, heretofore, in providing an effective, tight sealbetween the closure member and the discharge member in pressurized packages of the class described. In order to overcome difficulties with the prior art structures and in order to accomplish the desirable results, we provide a new and improved pressurized package embodying a container for receiving a product, propellant means for discharging the product from the container, and a dispensing assembly carried by the container. The dispensing assembly includes a body member having a passage which terminates at one end at the surface of the body in a discharge orifice and the other end thereof is arranged for communicatingwith the contents of the container. A closure member is mounted for movement relative to the orifice between respective positions of opening or closing the orifice. Diaphragm means for mounting the body member on the container are provided so that the pressure contents of the container act upon the diaphragm to urge the body member against the closure member in sealing engagement.

In one form of our invention, the dispensing assembly includes a body memberhaving an internal hub portion and an annular ring. A thin flexible diaphragm interconnects the hub portion with the ring, and the ring, in turn, is connected to the upper portion of the container. An overcap encompasses the body member. The hub is formed with an internal passageway which terminates in a discharge orifice at the upper surface thereof, while the other end of the passageway communicates with the contents of the container. An actuating lever is movable relative to the surface and carries a sealing pad to normally seal the orifice. This lever is provided with a discharge aperture and is movable to an open position wherein the aperture is in alignment with the discharge orifice for dispensing product from the container. The overcap has an exit opening through which the product passes when being discharged. The pressure of the contents of the container act upon the body member to flex the diaphragm to urge the orifice containing surface against the sealing pad at least in the vicinity of the orifice.

In another form of our invention there is provided a dispensing assembly which includes a body member having an internal hub-like portion, an annular ring, and a thin flexible diaphragm connecting the hub-like portion to the annular ring. The hublike portion is formed with an internal passageway which terminates in a discharge orifice at the upper surface and the other end of the passageway communicates with the contents of the container. A rotary valve member is mounted on the body member for rotary movement with respect thereto. A sealing pad is affixed to the rotary valve member and is normally in sealing engagement with the discharge orifice. The sealing pad contains a discharge aperture which is always in alignment with an exit opeing in the upper wall of the rotary valve member. The rotary valve member is manually rotatable to a position wherein the discharge orifice, the discharge aperture and the exit opening are all in alignment for discharging products from the container. Means are provided for returning the rotary valve member to its normal position wherein the sealing pad seals the discharge orifice. It will be appreciated that also in this embodiment the pressure of the contents of the container act upon the body member to flex the diaphragm to urge the orifice containing surface against the sealing pad at least in the vicinity of the orifice.

There has thus been outlined rather broadly the important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described more fully hereinafter. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception on which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as the basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several purposes of the invention. It is important, therefore, that this disclosure be regarded as including such equivalent constructions as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Several embodiments of the invention have been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and are shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a pressurized package showing a dispensing assembly con structed according to the concept of our invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line indicated at 2-2 in FIG. 1, and showing details of the dispensing assembly when in its closed position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial vertical cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the dispensing assembly when in its opened position;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line indicated at 4--4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of pressurized package showing a dispensing assembly according to this invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the pressurized package of FIG. 5, showing details of the actuating mechanism;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line indicated at 77 in FIG. 5, and showing details of the dispensing assembly when in its closed position; I

FIG. 8 is a plan view, partly in section, of the pressurized package of FIGS. 5-7, showing details of the dispensing assembly in its closed position;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken along the line indicated at 9-9 in FIG. 8 and showing the package in its closed position;

FIG. 10 is a plan view; partially in section, similar to FIG. 8, but showing the package in its open position;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken along the line indicated at ll-1l in FIG. and showing the package in its closed position.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, there is shown a pressurized package comprising a container 10 for carrying a fluid product or composition, not shown, and propellant means, not shown, for discharging the composition therefrom. As best seen' in FIGS. 2 and 3, a dispensing assembly, indicated generally at 12, is mounted on the upper end of the container and includes a body member, indicated generally at 13, having an internal hollow hub portion 14 and an annular ring 16 connected to the hub by a thin flexible diaphragm 18, which performs an important function in the operation of the mechanism of this invention, as will be explained more fully hereinafter. A sealing ring 20 is mounted under the annualar ring 16 and, in turn, a spacing ring 22 is disposed under the sealing ring 20. An overcap 24, having a lower flange portion 26, is mounted on the annular ring portion 16 of the body member and O-ring 28 is interposed therebetween for sealing purposes. The flange portion 26, annular ring portion 16, gasket member 20, and ring member 22 are securely fastened to the top of the container 10, as by means of clamping between a crimped portion 28 and a flange portion 30 at the upper end of the container.

interposed between the internal hub 14 and the overcap 24 is a spider member 32, which is fixedly connected to the overcap, as at 34, and is provided with a plurality of spaced inwardly directed ribs 36 which make a sliding fit with the hub 14, as best seen in FIG. 4, for purposes of centrally aligning the hub member.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the body member 13 is formed with a passageway 38, which terminates in a discharge orifice 42 at a surface 40. The other end of this passageway communicates with the contents of the container. A closure member or actuating lever 44 is movable relative to the surface and contains a sealing pad 46 disposed adjacent said surface 40 to normally seal the orifice 42, as shown in FIG. 2. The actuating lever 44 is also provided with a discharge aperture 48, and it is movable to an open position wherein the aperture 48 is in alignment with the discharge orifice 42, as seen in FIG. 3, for dispensing the product from the container. The overcap 24 has a thin top wall containing an exit opening 50 through which the product passes when being discharged. A return spring 52 urges the actuating lever 44 to the right as viewed in FIG. 2, thereby closing the discharge orifice 42, as will be discussed hereinafter.

In operation, when it is desired to dispense product from the container, the closure member or actuating lever 44 is manually urged to the left, as viewed in FIG. 3, overcoming the return spring force 52 and aligning the discharge orifice 42 of the body member 13 with the discharge aperture 48 of the actuating lever 44 and the exit opening 50 of the overcap 24. The propellant means serves to discharge the product or fluid composition from the container under these conditions, and the product will continue to be discharged from the container as long as the actuating lever is retained in this position.

When it is desired to terminate the discharge of product from the container, the actuating lever 44 is released and the'return spring 52 serves to move the lever to the right to its position as viewed in FIG. 2, whereby the sealing pad 46 covers the discharge orifice 42, and thereby prevents additional discharge of product from the container. It will be particularly appreciated that when the dispensing assembly is in the position as viewed in FIG. 2, the pressure of the contents within the container acts upon the body member 13 to flex the diaphragm 18, thereby urging the surface 40 containing the orifice 42 of the body member snugly against the sealing pad 46 of the actuating lever 44 and in this manner provides a very effective sealing closure. In some installations the diaphragm 18 is preflexed to make a seal and the pressure of the contents within the container acts to assist the seal.

Considering next the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 5-11, there is shown a pressurized package embodying a container 54 for carrying a fluid product or composition, not shown, and propellant means, not shown, for discharging the composition therefrom. Referring in particular to FIG. 7, a dispensing assembly indicated generally at 56 is mounted on the upper end of the container and includes a body member, indicated generally at 58, having an internal hub-like portion 60 and an annular ring 62 connected to the hub portion by a thin flexible diaphragm 64. This diaphragm is an important element in the structure and will be discussed more fully hereinafter. A rotary valve member 66 is mounted on the body member 58 for rotary movement with respect thereto. A sealing ring 68 is interposed between the annular ring 62 of the body member and the rotary valve member 66 and the top of the container 54, for purposes of sealing the top of the container. The body member 58 and rotary valve member 66 are locked into position with respect to the container 54 by means of clamping between a crimped ring 70 and a flange portion 72 in the top of the container. The hub portion 60 is formed with a passageway 73 which terminates in a discharge orifice 78 at a surface 79. The other end of this passageway communicates with the contents of the container. A sealing pad 74 is affixed to the underside of the upper surface of the rotary valve member 66, as at 76, and serves to normally close the discharge orifice 78. The sealing pad 74 contains a discharge aperture 80 which is always in alignment with an exit opening 82 in the upper wall of the rotary valve member 66, and when it is desired to discharge product from the package the discharge aperture 80 is brought into alignment with the discharge orifice 78.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the rotary valve member 66 incorporates external gear teeth 84 for receiving a wrench or lever 86 having internal gear teeth 88 which mesh therewith. It will be appreciated that it is also within the concept of this invention to provide a rotary valve member with internal gear teeth which mesh with a wrench having external gear teeth. The rotary valve member 66, FIGS. 8 and 10, is provided with a segmental opening 90 for receiving a return spring 92. The annular ring 62 of the body member 58 has an inwardly extending ear 94 which engages one end of the return spring 92 so that the return spring 92 can urge the rotary valve member 66 towards its closed position, as will be explained hereinafter.

In operation, when it is desired to dispense product from the pressurized package, the wrench or lever 86 is positioned on the gear teeth 84 of the rotary valve member 66, as shown in FIG. 5 and the lever 86 is manually rotated from its position as seen in FIG. 8 to its position as seen in FIGS. 10 and M. This causes the rotary valve member 66 to rotate until the exit opening 82 and discharge aperture 80 are in alignment with the discharge orifice 78 of the hub portion 60 of the body member 58, thereby allowing the propellant means in the container to discharge the fluid composition from the container. Discharge of the product from the container will continue as long as the lever 86 is manually retained in its position as seen in FIGS. 10 and l 1.

When it is desired to terminate the flow of product from the container, the lever 86 is released and the return spring 92 functions to rotate the valve member 66 from its position as seen in FIG. 10 to its position as seen in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, wherein the discharge orifice 78, discharge aperture 80 and exit opening 82 are out of alignment. As pointed out hereinbefore, the body member 58 has a diaphragm portion 64 which flexes due to the pressure of the contents of the container acting thereon, thereby urging the surface 96 containing the discharge orifice 78 against the sealing pad 74 with substantial force, thereby providing a very efficient sealing structure.

it will thus be seen that the present invention does indeed provide an improved pressurized package which is superior in simplicity, economy and efficiency as compared to prior art such packages.

Although certain particular embodiments of the invention are herein disclosed for purposes of explanation, various modifications thereof, after study of this specification, will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by patent is:

l. A pressurized package of the class embodying a container for carrying a fluid product, propellant means for discharging the product from the container, and a dispensing assembly comprising a body member formed with a passageway terminating at one end at a surface of the body member in a discharge orifice and having its other end communicating with the contents of said container, a closure member being movable relative to said surface, a sealing pad interposed between said closure member and said surface about said discharge orifice to normally seal said orifice, said closure member being movable to open said orifice for dispensing said product from the container and diaphragm means for mounting said body member on said container so that the pressure of the contents of said container act upon said body member to flex said diaphragm to urge the orifice containing surface of said body member against said closure member at least in the vicinity of said orifice.

2. A pressurized package according to claim 1 wherein said body member has an internal hub portion and an annular ring, a thin flexible diaphragm interconmeeting said hub portion with said annular ring, said annular ring being connected to the upper portion of said container.

3. A pressurized package according to claim 2 further comprising an overcap encompassing said body member and having a lower flange portion connected to the upper end of said container in sealed relation letters with respect thereto, said overcap having a thin top wall containing an exit opening through which said product passes when being discharged.

4. A pressurized package according to claim 3 further comprising a spider member connected to the inside surface of the overcap and being provided with a plurality of spaced radially inwardly directed ribs which make a sliding fit with said internal hub portion.

5. A pressurized package of the class embodying a container for carrying a fluid product, propellant means for discharging the product from the container, and a dispensing assembly comprising a body member having an internal hub portion and an annular ring, a thin flexible diaphragm interconnecting said hub portion with said annular ring, said annular ring being connected to the upper portion of said container, an overcap encompassing said body member, said hub portion being formed with an internal passageway which terminates in a discharge orifice at the upper surface thereof, the other end of said passageway communicating with the contents of said container, an actuating lever movable relative to said surface, a sealing pad mounted on said actuating lever adjacent said surface to normally seal said orifice, said actuating lever being provided with a discharge aperture and being movable to an open position wherein said aperture is in alignment with the discharge orifice for dispensing product from said container, said overcap containing an exit opening through which said product passes when being discharged, means for normally urging said actuating lever to its position wherein said sealing pad seals said discharge orifice, and wherein the pressure of the contents of said container act upon said body member to flex said diaphragm to urge the orifice containing surface against said sealing pad at least in the vicinity of said orifice.

6. A pressurized package of the class embodying a container for carrying a fluid product, propellant means for discharging the product from the container, and a dispensing assembly comprising a body member having an internal hub portion and an annular ring, a thin flexible diaphragm interconnecting said hub portion with said annular ring, said annular ring being connected to the upper portion of said container, an overcap encompassing said body member and having a lower flange portion connected to the upper end of said container in sealed relationship with respect thereto, a spider member connected to the inside surface of the overcap and being provided with a plurality of spaced inwardly directed ribs which make a sliding fit with said hub portion, said hub portion being formed with an internal passageway which terminates in a discharge orifice at the upper surface thereof, the other end of said passageway communicating with the contents of said container, an actuating lever movable relative to said surface, a sealing pad mounted on said actuating lever adjacent said surface to normally seal said orifice, said actuating lever being provided with a discharge aperture and being movable to an open position wherein said aperture is in alignment with the discharge orifice for dispensing product from said container, said overcap having a thin top wall containing an exit opening through which said product passes when being discharged, and a return spring interposed between said actuating lever and said overcap to normally urge said actuating lever to its position wherein said seaing pad seals said discharge orifice, and wherein the pressure of the contents of said container act upon said body member to flex said diaphragm to urge the orifice containing surface against said sealing pad at least in the vicinity of said orifice.

7. A pressurized package of the class embodying a container for carrying a fluid product, propellant means for discharging the product from the container, and a dispensing assembly comprising a body member having an internal hub-like portion, an annular ring, a thin flexible diaphragm connecting said hub-like portion to said annular ring, a rotary valve member mounted on said body member for rotary movement with respect thereto, said annular ring being connected to the top of said container, said hub-like portion being formed with an internal passageway which terminates in a discharge orifice at the upper surface thereof, the other end of said passageway communicating with the contents of said container, a sealing pad being affixed to said rotary valve member and being normally in sealing engagement with said discharge orifice, said sealing pad containing a discharge aperture, said rotary valve member being manually rotatable to a position wherein said discharge orifice and said discharge aperture are in alignment for discharging product from said container, and wherein the pressure of the contents of said container act upon said body member to flex said diaphragm to urge the orifice containing surface against said sealing pad at least in the vicinity of said orifice.

8. A pressurized package according to claim 7 further comprising lever means having gear teeth, said rotary valve member having mating gear teeth for receiving said lever means in mesh therewith for rotating said rotary valve member.

9. A pressurized package of the class embodying a container for carrying a fluid product, propellant means for discharging the product from the container, and a dispensing assembly comprising a body member having an internal hub-like portion, an annular ring, a thin flexible diaphragm connecting said hub-like portion to said annular ring, a rotary valve member mounted on said body member for rotary movement with respect thereto, lever means attached to said rotary valve member for actuating said rotary valve member, said hub-like portion being formed with an internal passageway which terminates in a discharge orifice at the upper surface thereof, the other end of said passageway communicating with the contents of said container, a sealing pad being affixed to the underside of the upper surface of said rotary valve member andbeing normally in sealing engagement with said discharge orifice, said sealing pad containing a discharge aperture which is always in alignment with an exit opening in the upper wall of said rotary valve member, said rotary valve member being provided with a segmental opening towards the periphery thereof,

said annular ring having an ear extending into said segmental opening, a return spring positioned in said segmental opening to engage said rotary valve member and said ear to urge said rotary valve member toward its position wherein said sealing pad closes said discharge orifice, said rotary valve member being manually rotatable to a position wherein said discharge orifice and said discharge aperture and exit opening are all in alignment for discharging product from said container, and wherein the pressure of the contents of said container act upon said body member to flex said diaphragm to urge the orifice containing surface against said sealing pad at least in the vicinity of said orifice.

10. A pressurized package of the class embodying a container for carrying a fluid product, propellant means for discharging the product from the container, and a dispensing assembly comprising a body member having an internal hub-like portion, an annular ring, a thin flexible diaphragm connecting said hub-like portion to said annular ring, a rotary valve member mounted on said body member for rotary movement with respect thereto, a sealing ring interposed between said annular ring of the body member and the top of said container, said annular ring being connected to the top of said container, said hub-like portion being formed with an internal passageway which terminates in a discharge orifice at the upper surface thereof, the other end of said passageway communicating with the contents of said container, a sealing pad being affixed to the underside of the upper surface of said rotary valve member and being normally in sealing engagement with said discharge orifice, said sealing pad containing a discharge aperture which is always in alignment with an exit opening in the upper wall of said rotary valve member, lever means having internal gear teeth, said rotary valve member having external gear teeth for receiving said internal gear teeth in mesh therewith, said rotary valve member being provided with a segmental opening towards the periphery thereof, said annular ring having an radially inwardly extending ear extending into said segmental opening, a return spring positioned in said segmental opening to engage said rotary valve member and said ear to urge said rotary valve member towards its position wherein said sealing pad closes said discharge orifice, said rotary valve member being manually rotatable to a position wherein said discharge orifice and discharge aperture and exit opening are all in alignment for discharging product from said container, and wherein the pressure of the contents of said container act upon said body member to flex said diaphragm to urge the orifice containing surface against said sealing pad at least in the vicinity of said orifice.

M. A pessurized package according to claim 1 wherein said sealing pad is mounted on said closure member.

Claims

1. A pressurized package of the class embodying a container for carrying a fluid product, propellant means for discharging the product from the container, and a dispensing assembly comprising a body member formed with a passageway terminating at one end at a surface of the body member in a discharge orifice and having its other end communicating with the contents of said container, a closure member being movable relative to said surface, a sealing pad interposed between said closure member and said surface about said discharge orifice to normally seal said orifice, said closure member being movable to open said orifice for dispensing said product from the container and diaphragm means for mounting said body member on said container so that the pressure of the contents of said container act upon said body member to flex said diaphragm to urge the orifice containing surface of said body member against said closure member at least in the vicinity of said orifice.

2. A pressurized package according to claim 1 wherein said body member has an internal hub portion and an annular ring, a thin flexible diaphragm interconnecting said hub portion with said annular ring, said annular ring being connected to the upper portion of said container.

3. A pressurized package according to claim 2 further comprising an overcap encompassing said body member and having a lower flange portion connected to the upper end of said container in sealed relation with respect thereto, said overcap having a thin top wall containing an exit opening through which said product passes when being discharged.

9. A pressurized package of the class embodying a container for carrying a fluid product, propellant means for discharging the product from the container, and a dispensing assembly comprising a body member having an internal hub-like portion, an annular ring, a thin flexible diaphragm connecting said hub-like portion to said annular ring, a rotary valve member mounted on said body member for rotary movement with respect thereto, lever means attached to said rotary valve member for actuating said rotary valve member, said hub-like portion being formed with an internal passageway which terminates in a discharge orifice at the upper surface thereof, the other end of said passageway communicating with the contents of said container, a sealing pad being affixed to the underside of the upper surface of said rotary valve member andbeing normally in sealing engagement wiTh said discharge orifice, said sealing pad containing a discharge aperture which is always in alignment with an exit opening in the upper wall of said rotary valve member, said rotary valve member being provided with a segmental opening towards the periphery thereof, said annular ring having an ear extending into said segmental opening, a return spring positioned in said segmental opening to engage said rotary valve member and said ear to urge said rotary valve member toward its position wherein said sealing pad closes said discharge orifice, said rotary valve member being manually rotatable to a position wherein said discharge orifice and said discharge aperture and exit opening are all in alignment for discharging product from said container, and wherein the pressure of the contents of said container act upon said body member to flex said diaphragm to urge the orifice containing surface against said sealing pad at least in the vicinity of said orifice.

11. A pessurized package according to claim 1 wherein said sealing pad is mounted on said closure member.