US3672543A - Flowable substances dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

In a fluid dispenser of the expansible member or bladder type wherein the memory of the material furnishes the dispensing force, a unitary mandrel and valve closure member acts to pretension the expansible member and to act as the valve closure, the axial movement of which permits the fluid contained within the expansible member to be dispensed.

Description

United States Patent Roper et al.

[ 1 June 27, 1972 FLOWABLE SUBSTANCES DISPENSER William ll. Roper, Los Angeles; Robert N. Ross, Fountain Valley; Gabor Visnovlts, Anaheim, all of Calif.

Plant industries, Inc., Anaheim, Calif.

lnventors:

Assignee:

Filed:

Appl. No.:

Feb. 11, 1971 US. Cl ..222/l83, 222/2l 2, 223/386.5 ..B67d 5/06 Field of Search 141/23, 24, 25, 27; 222/94,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,317,090 5/1967 Meshberg ..222/386.5 3,361,303 1/1968 Jacuzzi ..222/212 X Primary Examiner-Samuel F Coleman Assistant Examiner-Larry Martin Attorney-Mahoney, Hombaker & Schick ABSTRACT 1 1 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJum I972 INVENTORS. WILLIAM H. RoPER,

ROBERT N. ROSS AND BY GABOR VISNOVITS MAHONEY, HORNBAKER AND SCH/CK ATTORNEYS FLOWABLE SUBSTANCES DISPENSER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to fluid dispensers utilizing expansible members, of elastic materials, which are pretensioned in a manner that fluids such as viscous liquids, pastes and the like contained within the expansible members are dispelled therefrom without the necessity of utilizing propellants of the aerosol type.

Dispensers of the general type referred to above and particularly of the type disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,361,303 to Jacuzzi, have had shortcomings associated with the dispenser structures.

One of the serious drawbacks in the prior art dispensers of this type has been in the fact that separate mandrel or stem and valve closure components have been required leading to serious drawbacks with respect to manufacturing techniques, assembly of the dispensers and performance in use. A mandrel or stem is necessary in dispensers utilizing expansible members or bladders in order to exert pretensioning forces, specifically radial and longitudinal, thereon.

Some of the prior art structures utilizing such stems have the expansible members rigidly secured thereto thereby requiring that the stem or mandrel be relatively stationary and immobile thereby requiring a separate closing and opening mechanism wholly independent of the mandrel or stem.

With the herein disclosed invention, a dispenser of the expansible member type utilizing a mandrel or stem, which is integral with a closing element, is axially movable with respect to the expansible member thereby producing a fluid dispenser obviating the afore-alluded to shortcomings of the prior art structures.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a fluid dispenser of the expansible member type.

It is another object of this invention to provide a fluid dispenser of the expansible member type utilizing a unitary mandrel or stem and valve closing structure.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a fluid dispenser of the expansible member type wherein a single unitary structure performs the functions of mandrel and closing member.

It is still a further more specific object of the invention to provide a fluid dispenser of the expansible member type wherein a unitary structure provides a mandrel and closing element in combination with a unique valve closure structure.

It is still another and further specific object of the invention to provide a fluid dispenser of the expansible member type wherein the mandrel and closure element are of unitary construction and are axially movable within the expansible member of bladder.

It is still an even more and further object of the invention to provide a dispenser of the expansible member type utilizing a valve closure structure of unique design and configuration.

These and further objects of the invention will become ap parent from the disclosure and drawing contained herein.

Generally, in an exemplary embodiment, the invention pertains to a fluid dispenser comprising the combination of a container body and cover therefor, including a member having a fluid passageway communicating the exterior thereof to a valve member, said valve member communicating to an expansible member adapted to store fluid therein and be retained within said container body, said valve member having an unitary, elongated mandrel and closure member, the mandrel portion extending into and substantially the entire length of said expansible member and the closure portion being normally seated in the closed position to block said fluid passageway and said mandrel and closure member being axially movable within said expansible member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view partially in cross section of an exemplary dispenser of the invention showing the cover in the exploded position for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 1A is a view taken along the line IA-IA of FIG. 1;

DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST EMBODIMENTS CONTEMPLATED:

Referring to the drawing wherein like numerals of reference designate like elements throughout, anexemplary fluid dispenser 2 is illustrated as having acontainer body 4 of general configuration and size with abottom portion 6 being of the type that has an interior doubleconcave configuration 8 as shown with a central stem centering or locatingcup portion 10 and being secured to the uppercontainer body portion 12 by well known means in the art, such as for example, ultrasonic welding or the like.Upper body 12 has insetcollar portion 11, provided with the interior configuration shown, spaced from the remainder of the container and having integral connectingwebs 13 to thereby formdiscontinuous slots 15 to receivecover member 14 in close fit arrangement as will be apparent. Thus, the materials of construction fordispenser 2 particularly thebody 4 may be those conventionally used in the art that will meet the criteria necessary for containing and dispensing fluids as will become apparent. Except as noted, plastic is the preferred material for all components ofdispenser 2.

Dispenser 2 is provided with acover member 14 of the usual type having afluid passageway 16, formed by the walls l7,

communicating the exterior 18 thereof to theinlet 20 which is in communication with a valve member component generally designated 22.Cover 14 is formed with inset rim 19 having three equally spaced depending legs 21 (only two being shown) of incline plane and notch configuration as shown for purposes as will become apparent. The outside wall ofcover 14 and exterior wall of rim 19 formcircumferential groove 23 therebetween. Thecover 14, of molded plastic, is depressible in conventional manner to the extent of the axial movement permitted byshoulder 24 ofcontainer body 4, and to this end is provided with a flat thumb orfinger engaging surface 26 by which means depression is easily accomplished.

Valvemember component 22 comprises (in the order shown in FIG. 2 the order of assembly)ferrule member 28 of thin wall, deformable aluminum, for example, of general cylindrical design having anorifice portion 30 communicating to theinlet 20 ofpassageway 16.Ferrule 28 may be within the thickness of about 0.020 of an inch so that the lower portion may be crimped or bent as shown in FIG. I. A largercylindrical portion 32 provides an interior recess to receive avalve seat 34, in this instance being' an annular disc, having acentral aperture 36 to accommodate theinlet 20 ofpassageway 16.Ferrule 28 has dependingexterior wall 38, the lower portion of which becomes crimped in later assembly as will become apparent. The interior configuration offerrule 28 is adapted to receive in nestled, substantially tight relationship, the 7 remaining members of the assemblage as can be seen in FIG. 1 and as will be described. Seat 34 may be of rubber.

The mandrel or stem andclosure member 46 comprises an integral, unitary structure having anelongate mandrel portion 48 and an uppervalve closing portion 50, in this instance having anannular head 52 provided with asealing surface 54 adapted to effect sealing and blockage of theinlet 20 by engagement with the adjacently positioned surface ofvalve seat 34.Spaced projections 56 spaced about thehead 52 provide means by whichspring 58 is retained in cooperative relationship within the assemblage. Theelongate portion 48 of mandrel-closure member 46 is approximately three times the normal unextended length of the expansible member before assemblage into thedispenser 2 and as will become apparent.

tioned therebetween. A depending collar-like portion 64 is of 5 appropriate size and configuration to be received withincylindrical portion 38 offerrule member 28, and is provided with an interior shape substantially as seen in FIG. 1 to perform a gripping or holding function with the subsequent components of the assemblage. A lower dependingportion 66 is provided with an interior slotted or notched configuration to form in effect a plurality of spacedribs 67 to thereby permit free flow of a fluid contained withinthe expansible member therethrough, to and about thespring 58 retained withinvalve body 60 by means of the spacedshoulders 68 provided for that purpose. It will be noted that thespring chamber 71 formed betweenmandrel closure member 46 and the interior wall ofvalve body 60 permits passage of fluid contained within the expansible member to be positioned and readied at and about thehead 52 ready for entry intoinlet 200f passageway 16 upon depression or actuation ofcover 14 which axially shiftsmember 46 to unseat the valve closure.

The next member in the assemblage is theexpansible member 70 here shown in the extended, elongate state but which may vary in the unassembled, unstressed condition, between about approximately one-half to one-third the length of themandrel closure member 46.Expansible member 70 is provided with a flangedupper portion 72 and a mouth opening 74 to receive lower, dependinginterior rib portion 66 of thevalve body 60. Themouth opening 74 extends into the interior ofexpansible member 70 which provides the chamber or receptacle into which fluid is to be stored as will become apparent.Expansible member 70 is preferably fabricated of an elastomeric material such as a natural latex or silicone rubber of varying thickness, depending upon applicability. Especially useful are those materials having exceedingly high memory or resilience capabilities which permits the membrane, after distortion, to exert substantially high. forces upon the fluid contained therein. The inside diameter of the extendedportion 73 is slightly larger than the outside diameter of theelongate portion 48 of mandrel-closure member 46, before assemblage.

In order to secure theexpansible member 70 within the assemblage, asnap ring member 76 is provided and is generally of ring or collar-like configuration havingcollar portion 78 and dependinglocking legs 80 provided withlocking lip surfaces 82 for engagement with the interior shoulder ofinset collar portion 11 ofupper container body 12. It will be noted that thesnap ring 76 is provided with alocking groove 84 and the general exterior configuration is such as to be received within the interior ofvalve body member 60 with the flangedportion 72 ofexpansible member 70 held rigidly and securely therebetween. The lower dependingwall 38 offerrule 28 may now be crimped at spaced points or about the entire lower periphery. When locked in the position shown, theflanged portion 72 ofexpansible member 70 is securely retained in substantially fluid-tight secured relationship.

After assemblage in the manner just described and as shown in FIG. 1, but with thecover 14 not yet assembled, a filling tool may be inserted into thevalve member 22 to thereby axially movemember 46 and put the interior offlexible membrane 70 into communication with a fluid supply. After filling of theexpansible membrane 70 to the interior limits of thecontainer 4, the filling tube is removed and thecover 14 positioned onto thecollar 11. Thecover 14 andcollar 11 cooperate in friction fit engaging relationship usual in this art and to which no inventive claims is laid except as permitted by the prior art. Suffice to say that the incline and notchtabs 21, upon rotational movement ofcover 14, engage thewebs 13 to movecover 14 into an upwardly locked position thereby preventing its vertical movement with respect to thevalve member component 22. Rotation in the opposite direction to an extreme is prevented by the spacing ofwebs 13.

In the filling operation, the filling tube depresses axiallymovablemandrel closure member 46 thereby disengaging sealingsurface 54 withvalve seat member 34 allowing the introduction of a fluid such as paste, hand cream etc. into the interior ofexpansible member 70 to the extent that theexpansible member 70 billows outwardly until the interior surface ofupper body portion 4 andlower body portion 6 are engaged. When a metered amount of fluid has been introduced into the interior of flexible andexpansible member 70, the filling tube is withdrawn and thespring 58 returns themandrel closure member 46 into the closed position thereby efiectively blocking the valve passageway. The centralconcave portion 10 oflower body portion 6 insures proper alignment and placement ofmandrel closure member 46 within the interior ofdispenser 2.

The materials of construction fordispenser 2 may be any of those generally known in the container art but preferably include, except for those components as noted, the commercially available plastics and the like.Expansible member 70 preferably is of a natural rubber or latex material and is pretensioned so that any fluid contained therein and tending to deform the natural shape thereof will be expelled to the extent that the pretensioning and the natural memory of the material tends to return theexpansible member 70 to its unfilled state.

Thus, there has been disclosed a fluid dispenser of the expansible member type wherein a unitary mandrel and closure member acts in conjunction with unique components to allow dispensing of fluids without the use of propellants or the like. Various modifications and substitutions will make themselves readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and all such departures and modifications are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A fluid dispenser comprising the combination of: a container body and cover and cover therefor including a member having a fluid passageway communicating the exterior thereof to a valve member, said valve member communicating to an expansible member adapted to store fluid therein and be retained within said container body, said valve member having an axially shiftable, unitary elongated mandrel and closure member, having mandrel and closure portions, said mandrel portion extending into'and substantially the entire length of said expansible member and said closure portion normally being seated in the closed position to block said fluid passageway.

2. A fluid dispenser in accordance with claim 1 wherein a valve body member, including a valve seat, encircles said mandrel and closure member and said closure portion acts against said valve seat to block said fluid passageway.

3. A fluid dispenser in accordance withclaim 2 wherein said valve body member has slotted wall portions by which communication into the interior of said expansible member is obtained.

4. A fluid dispenser in accordance with claim 1 wherein said mandrel and closure member is spring-biased to position said closure portion into the closed position.

5. A fluid dispenser in accordance withclaim 4 including a valve body member in encircling relationship with said mandrel and closure member and wherein the interior of said valve body member is adapted to retain a spring member therein.

6. A fluid dispenser in accordance with claim 5 additionally including a valve seat in said valve body member and wherein said closure portion has an annular head, the upper surface thereof forming a continuous sealing surface with said valve seat and a lower surface adapted to form an abutting surface for a spring member.

7. A fluid dispenser in accordance withclaim 6 wherein said valve seat and said valve body member are received in nestled relationship by a ferrule member of deformable character and said valve seat is a disc having an annular passageway of the same size as said fluid passageway and communicating thereto.

8. A fluid dispenser in accordance with claim 7 wherein said disc is retained in position with said valve body member by said overlying ferrule member and said ferrule member has an aligned aperture accommodating said fluid passageway and said annular passageway.

9. A fluid dispenser in accordance withclaim 8 which additionally includes a coil spring retained within said valve body member acting against the interior thereof and said lower surface of said closure portion.

10. A fluid dispenser in accordance with claim 9 wherein said expansible member is retained in fluid-tight secured relationship and a snap ring member adapted to engage the interior wall of said container, positions the assembly within the neck of said container body.

11. A viscous fluid dispenser comprising the combination of: a container body, the walls thereof forming a inclosure open to external atmosphere; a cover supported on said container body and having a fluid passageway communicating the exterior thereof to a valve member disposed in supported relationship within .said inclosure, said valve member communicating to and supporting a flexible, expansible bladder, adapted to store viscous fluid therein, within said closure; said bladder, in the unfilled state being pretensioned in the radial and linear directions; and an axially shiftable unitary elongated mandrel and closure member, having mandrel and closure portions and being supported within said valve member and said bladder, said mandrel portion extending substantially the entire length of said bladder and said closure portion normally being seated in the closed position to block said fluid passageway.

t t F i

Claims (11)

1. A fluid dispenser comprising the combination of: a container body and cover and cover therefor including a member having a fluid passageway communicating the exterior thereof to a valve member, said valve member communicating to an expansible member adapted to store fluid therein and be retained within said container body, said valve member having an axially shiftable, unitary elongated mandrel and closure member, having mandrel and closure portions, said mandrel portion extending into and substantially the entire length of said expansible member and said closure portion normally being seated in the closed position to block said fluid passageway.

2. A fluid dispenser in accordance with claim 1 wherein a valve body member, including a valve seat, encircles said mandrel and closure member and said closure portion acts against said valve seat to block said fluid passageway.

3. A fluid dispenser in accordance with claim 2 wherein said valve body member has slotted wall portions by which communication into the interior of said expansible member is obtained.

4. A fluid dispenser in accordance with claim 1 wherein said mandrel and closure mEmber is spring-biased to position said closure portion into the closed position.

5. A fluid dispenser in accordance with claim 4 including a valve body member in encircling relationship with said mandrel and closure member and wherein the interior of said valve body member is adapted to retain a spring member therein.

6. A fluid dispenser in accordance with claim 5 additionally including a valve seat in said valve body member and wherein said closure portion has an annular head, the upper surface thereof forming a continuous sealing surface with said valve seat and a lower surface adapted to form an abutting surface for a spring member.

7. A fluid dispenser in accordance with claim 6 wherein said valve seat and said valve body member are received in nestled relationship by a ferrule member of deformable character and said valve seat is a disc having an annular passageway of the same size as said fluid passageway and communicating thereto.

8. A fluid dispenser in accordance with claim 7 wherein said disc is retained in position with said valve body member by said overlying ferrule member and said ferrule member has an aligned aperture accommodating said fluid passageway and said annular passageway.

9. A fluid dispenser in accordance with claim 8 which additionally includes a coil spring retained within said valve body member acting against the interior thereof and said lower surface of said closure portion.

10. A fluid dispenser in accordance with claim 9 wherein said expansible member is retained in fluid-tight secured relationship and a snap ring member adapted to engage the interior wall of said container, positions the assembly within the neck of said container body.

11. A viscous fluid dispenser comprising the combination of: a container body, the walls thereof forming a inclosure open to external atmosphere; a cover supported on said container body and having a fluid passageway communicating the exterior thereof to a valve member disposed in supported relationship within said inclosure, said valve member communicating to and supporting a flexible, expansible bladder, adapted to store viscous fluid therein, within said closure; said bladder, in the unfilled state being pretensioned in the radial and linear directions; and an axially shiftable unitary elongated mandrel and closure member, having mandrel and closure portions and being supported within said valve member and said bladder, said mandrel portion extending substantially the entire length of said bladder and said closure portion normally being seated in the closed position to block said fluid passageway.

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