US20180297771A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20180297771A1
Application number: US15/952,718
Authority: US
Inventors: Kevin Robert Martz
Original assignee: Clayton Corp
Current assignee: Clayton Corp
Priority date: 2017-04-13
Filing date: 2018-04-13
Publication date: 2018-10-18
Also published as: WO2018191626A1

Abstract

A hold-open device for a container-in-container dispenser has an elongate body that is flexible along its length. The elongate body defines a longitudinal internal passage extending along its length and through first and second longitudinal ends of the elongate body. The elongate body defines a plurality of longitudinal external channels extending along the length of the elongate body and through the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongate body. The hold-open device is to be received in an inner container of the container-in-container dispenser.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/485,100, filed Apr. 13, 2017, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a hold-open device for a container-in-container dispenser, and a container-in-container dispenser including a hold-open device.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

A container-in-container dispenser for dispensing a flowable product includes an outer container, and an inner container received in the outer container (e.g. barrier package, bag-in-can, bag on valve, can-in-can). The inner container contains the flowable product, and the outer container is pressurized. A valve is secured to the inner and outer containers and is in fluid communication with the inner container. When the valve is open, the pressure within the outer container contracts the volume of the inner container, thereby forcing the flowable product within the inner container through the open valve and outside the dispenser. As the inner container collapses (e.g., folds) upon itself, the inner container may form one or more “dead spaces” which are cut off from fluid communication with the valve. Product contained in these “dead spaces” is unable to be dispensed from the dispenser.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect, a hold-open device for a pressurized container-in-container dispenser generally comprises an elongate body having opposite first and second longitudinal ends, a length extending between the first and second longitudinal ends, and a longitudinal axis extending along its length. The elongate body is generally flexible along its length. The elongate body is sized and shaped to be received in an inner container of the container-in-container dispenser. The elongate body including a central longitudinal hub extending along the length of the elongate body. The central hub defining a longitudinal passage extending along the length of the elongate body and through the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongate body. The elongate body includes longitudinal ribs projecting radially outward from the central longitudinal hub and extending along the length of the elongate body. The longitudinal ribs are spaced apart from one another about the longitudinal axis to define a plurality of longitudinal channels extending longitudinally along the elongate body.

In another aspect, a hold-open device for a pressurized container-in-container dispenser generally comprises an elongate body sized and shaped to be received in an inner container of the container-in-container dispenser. The elongate body has opposite first and second longitudinal ends, a length extending between the first and second longitudinal ends, and a longitudinal axis extending along its length. The elongate body is generally flexible along its length. The elongate body defines a longitudinal internal passage extending along the length of the elongate body and through the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongate body. The elongate body defines a plurality of longitudinal external channels extending along the length of the elongate body and through the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongate body. The longitudinal external channels are spaced apart from one another about the longitudinal axis. The longitudinal external channels are open at an outer radial portion of the elongate body.

In yet another aspect, a container-in-container dispenser for dispensing a flowable product generally comprises an outer container having an interior pressurized by a propellant. An inner container is received in interior of the outer container and has an interior containing the flowable product. A valve is secured to the outer and inner containers. The valve is in fluid communication with the interior of the inner container. A hold-open device is received in the interior of the inner container. The hold-open device comprises an elongate body having opposite first and second longitudinal ends, a length extending between the first and second longitudinal ends, and a longitudinal axis extending along its length. The elongate body is generally flexible along its length. The elongate body defines a longitudinal internal passage extending along the length of the elongate body and through the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongate body. The elongate body defines a plurality of longitudinal external channels extending along the length of the elongate body and through the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongate body. The longitudinal external channels are spaced apart from one another about the longitudinal axis. The longitudinal external channels are open at an outer radial portion of the elongate body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective of one embodiment of a container-in-container dispenser including a hold-open device received in the dispenser;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the container-in-container dispenser;

FIG. 3 is a cross section of the container-in-container dispenser;

FIG. 4 is a perspective of the hold-open device;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the hold-open device;

FIG. 7 is a cross section taken along the lines7-7 inFIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Referring toFIGS. 1-3, one embodiment of a container-in-container dispenser for dispensing a flowable product (e.g., a chemical product or food product) is generally indicated atreference numeral10. Thedispenser10 includes anouter container12, and an inner container14 (FIG. 3) received in the outer container. Theouter container12 is pressurized with a propellant (e.g., gas, liquid) received in the interior of the outer container. An interior of theinner container14 contains the flowable product. A valve, generally indicated at16, is secured to the inner and

outer containers

12,14, respectively—such as an upper ends of the inner and outer containers—and is in fluid communication with the inner container. When thevalve16 is open, the pressure within theouter container12 contracts theinner container14, thereby forcing the flowable product within the inner container through the open valve and outside thedispenser10. As explained in more detail below, thedispenser10 includes a hold-open device18 received in theinner container14. The hold-open device18, in one embodiment, is free-floating in theinner container14, in that it is not attached to thevalve16 or the inner container, and is free in its entirety from attachment in the inner container. In other embodiments it may be attached to thevalve16 or other portion of the dispenser.

Theouter container12 may be generally rigid to maintain its shape and volume when pressurized with the propellant. For example, theouter container12 may be formed from a suitable metal or plastic material having a suitable thickness. The illustratedouter container12 include a curl20 (i.e. bead) to which thevalve16 and theinner container14 may be secured, such as by crimping the valve on the curl so that a lip of the inner container is sandwiched between the curl and the valve. Theouter container12 may be of other configurations and designs.

Theinner container14 is suitably collapsible (broadly, deformable) by pressure within theouter container12 to decrease the internal volume of the inner container to expel the flowable product through the open valve. For example, theinner container14 may be formed from a suitable metal or flexible plastic material having a suitable thickness. For example, theinner container14 may be a collapsible pouch or bag. Theinner container14 is suitable formed so that the inner container does not form tears or openings when collapsing. Theinner container14 may be of other configurations and designs.

Referring toFIG. 3, the illustratedvalve16 includes a mountingcup24, astem26, and a seal (e.g., a grommet)28, attached to the stem and disposed between and interconnecting the stem and the mounting cup. The mountingcup24 is suitable for attachment to thecurl20 of theouter container12. InFIG. 3, thevalve26 is in a closed (non-actuated) position. Thestem26 is movable away from a seat portion of theseal28 to open the valve16 (e.g., move the valve to an actuated configuration) to allow flowable product in theinner container14, via pressure in theouter container12, to flow between the stem and the seat portion and into inlet(s) of the stem. Thevalve16 may function as a “vertically actuated” valve, or alternatively, as a “tilt” valve, depending on the actuator used to operate the valve. For example, when used as a vertically actuated valve, an axial force is applied to thestem26 to unseat the stem from the seat portion of theseal28. In another example, when used as a tilt valve, a force is applied to the side ofstem26 to rotate or pivot the stem and unseat the stem from the seat portion of theseal28, as is generally known in the art. Thevalve16 may be of other configurations and designs.

Referring toFIGS. 4 and 5, the hold-open device18 includes an elongate body having opposite upper and lower longitudinal ends, a length extending between the upper and lower longitudinal ends, and a longitudinal axis LA extending along the length. The elongate body includes acentral hub32 extending along the body, and a plurality oflongitudinal ribs34 extending radially outward from the hub relative to the longitudinal axis. Thehub32 and thelongitudinal ribs34 extend continuously along the elongate body from the upper longitudinal end to the lower longitudinal end of the elongate body, although in other embodiments they may be discontinuous along the elongate body. Thehub32 defines a longitudinalinternal passage38 extending longitudinally through the hub and through the upper and lower longitudinal ends of the elongate body. Thelongitudinal ribs34 are spaced apart from one another about the longitudinal axis LA to define a plurality of longitudinalexternal channels40 extending along the elongate body and through the upper and lower longitudinal ends thereof. The longitudinalexternal channels40 are open at outer portions of the channels and closed at inner portions thereof. Broadly, the longitudinalinternal passage38 is defined by an interior surface of the elongate body, and the longitudinalexternal channels40 are defined by an exterior surface of the elongate body. As explained in more detail below, theexternal channels40 and theinternal passage38 substantially maintain the patency of theinner container12 to improve the amount of product that is capable of being dispensed from thedispenser10. It is understood that in other embodiments, longitudinal external channels may be formed in other ways.

The hold-open device18 (e.g., the elongate body) is suitably flexible along its length so that the body is capable of deflecting (e.g., bending) as theinner container14 collapses around and contacts the hold-open device. For example, where theinner container14 is metal, the hold-open device18 may bend along its length and generally conform to the longitudinal deformation of the inner container. The elongate body is generally non-compressible radially and longitudinally so that the patency of the longitudinalinternal passage38 and theexternal channels40 along their respective lengths are maintained as theinner container14 collapses around and contacts the hold-open device18. In this way, the hold-open device18 reduces the “dead spaces” in theinner container14 as the inner container collapses (e.g., folds upon itself). As shown inFIG. 7, it is likely that the flowable product will enter (e.g., is forced into) one or both of theinternal passageway38 and theexternal channels40 as theinner container14 collapses around the hold-open device. Theinternal passageway38 and/or one or more of theexternal channels40 maintain fluid communication with thevalve16.

The illustrated hold-open device18 may be an integrally formed, monolithic, once-piece component. The hold-open device18 may be formed from a plastic material, such as by extrusion or molding. In one or more embodiments, the hold-open device18 may be formed from polypropylene, or high density polyethylene, or combinations thereof, or other materials.

The following table illustrates the results of three test runs of container-in-container dispensers, each including a hold-open device as illustrated in the present application. The hold-open device was formed from high density polyethylene by extrusion. Each of the dispensers was tested for the weight of product dispensed and remaining in the dispenser after each container is no longer dispensing product. The below results show that the hold-open device of the present disclosure is capable of dispensing product comparable to a hold-open device that includes a metal spring.

TABLE 1

High Density Polyethylene Plastic
Hold-Open

Can	Full WT	Dispensed	Remaining

1	212.26	195.22	17.04
2	212.15	195.34	16.81
3	212.73	196.23	16.5

Modifications and variations of the disclosed embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A hold-open device for a pressurized container-in-container dispenser, the hold-open device comprising:

an elongate body having opposite first and second longitudinal ends, a length extending between the first and second longitudinal ends, and a longitudinal axis extending along its length, the elongate body being generally flexible along its length, wherein the elongate body is sized and shaped to be received in an inner container of the container-in-container dispenser and includes

a central longitudinal hub extending along the length of the elongate body, the central hub defining a longitudinal passage extending along the length of the elongate body and through the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongate body,

longitudinal ribs projecting radially outward from the central longitudinal hub and extending along the length of the elongate body, wherein the longitudinal ribs are spaced apart from one another about the longitudinal axis to define a plurality of longitudinal channels extending longitudinally along the elongate body.

2. The hold-open device set forth inclaim 1, wherein the elongate body is an integrally formed, monolithic, one-piece component.

3. The hold-open device set forth inclaim 2, wherein the elongate body is formed from plastic.

4. The hold-open device set forth inclaim 1, wherein the longitudinal ribs extending along the entire length of the elongate body.

5. The hold-open device set forth inclaim 1, in combination with the pressurized dispenser-in-dispenser, wherein pressurized dispenser-in-dispenser includes an outer container having an interior pressurized by a propellant, an inner container received in interior of the outer container and having an interior containing the flowable product, and a valve secured to the outer and inner containers, wherein the valve is in fluid communication with the interior of the inner container,

wherein the hold-open device is received in the interior of the inner container.

6. The hold-open device in combination with the pressurized container-in-container dispenser set forth inclaim 5, wherein the inner container is collapsible around the hold-open device when dispensing the flowable product.

7. The hold-open device in combination with the pressurized container-in-container dispenser set forth inclaim 5, wherein the inner container comprises deformable metal.

8. The hold-open device in combination with the pressurized container-in-container dispenser set forth inclaim 5, wherein the valve includes a mounting cup, a stem, and a seal attached to the stem and disposed between and interconnecting the stem and the mounting cup.

9. The hold-open device set forth inclaim 1, wherein the elongate body is generally non-compressible radially and longitudinally.

10. A hold-open device for a pressurized container-in-container dispenser, the hold-open device comprising:

an elongate body sized and shaped to be received in an inner container of the container-in-container dispenser, the elongate body having opposite first and second longitudinal ends, a length extending between the first and second longitudinal ends, and a longitudinal axis extending along its length,

wherein the elongate body being generally flexible along its length,

wherein the elongate body defines a longitudinal internal passage extending along the length of the elongate body and through the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongate body,

wherein the elongate body defines a plurality of longitudinal external channels extending along the length of the elongate body and through the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongate body, the longitudinal external channels being spaced apart from one another about the longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal external channels are open at an outer radial portion of the elongate body.

11. The hold-open device set forth inclaim 10, wherein the elongate body is an integrally formed, monolithic, one-piece component.

12. The hold-open device set forth inclaim 10, wherein the elongate body is generally non-compressible radially and longitudinally.

13. The hold-open device set forth inclaim 10, in combination with the pressurized container-in-container dispenser, wherein pressurized dispenser-in-dispenser includes an outer container having an interior pressurized by a propellant, an inner container received in interior of the outer container and having an interior containing the flowable product, and a valve secured to the outer and inner containers, wherein the valve is in fluid communication with the interior of the inner container,

14. The hold-open device in combination with the pressurized container-in-container dispenser set forth inclaim 13, wherein the inner container is collapsible around the hold-open device when dispensing the flowable product.

15. The hold-open device in combination with the pressurized container-in-container dispenser set forth inclaim 13, wherein the inner container comprises deformable metal.

16. The hold-open device in combination with the pressurized container-in-container dispenser set forth inclaim 13, wherein the valve includes a mounting cup, a stem, and a seal attached to the stem and disposed between and interconnecting the stem and the mounting cup.

17. A container-in-container dispenser for dispensing a flowable product, the container-in-container dispenser comprising:

an outer container having an interior pressurized by a propellant;

an inner container received in interior of the outer container and having an interior containing the flowable product;

a valve secured to the outer and inner containers, wherein the valve is in fluid communication with the interior of the inner container; and

a hold-open device received in the interior of the inner container, the hold-open device comprising:

an elongate body having opposite first and second longitudinal ends, a length extending between the first and second longitudinal ends, and a longitudinal axis extending along its length,

wherein the elongate body being generally flexible along its length,

18. The container-in-container dispenser set forth inclaim 17, wherein the elongate body is an integrally formed, monolithic, one-piece component.

19. The container-in-container dispenser set forth inclaim 17, wherein the elongate body is generally non-compressible radially and longitudinally.

20. The container-in-container dispenser set forth inclaim 17, wherein the inner container is collapsible around the hold-open device when dispensing the flowable product.