US2699888A - Dispenser and seal - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 18, 1955 w. B. CRANE 2,599,888

DISPENSER AND SEAL Filed Feb. 4, 1950 2 She ets-Sheet 1 ((194 701V 8. GER/V5,

IN VEN TOR.

Jan. 18, 1955 w. B. CRANE DISPENSER AND SEAL Filed Feb. 4, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ian. 52 L w I50.

(00 ran 5. GER/J6,

IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent DISPENSER AND SEAL Walton B. Crane, Beverly Hills, Calif., assignor to Max Factor & Co., Hollywood, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application February 4, 1950, Serial No. 142,459

9 Claims. (Cl. 222212) This invention relates to a dispenser and seal and is particularly directed to improvements in sealing structures for containers. This invention finds particular usefulness in connection with containers which are formed wholly or partly of a semiplastic material, and which are commonly used for dispensing cosmetic preparations such as creams, pastes and the like.

It is an object of this invention to provide improved means for shutting off flow from a dispensing opening in a container, which container is formed wholly or partly of resilient semi-plastic material.

Another object is to provide a shut-off valve for such a device which is closed by means of a nonresilient keeper element tensioned under forces applied by the resilient material.

Another object is to provide a relatively soft semiplastic container for creams, pastes and the like, and on which a relatively rigid keeper element is pivotally mounted for closing a shut-oft valve assembly through which the cream or paste is normally dispensed.

Another object is to provide a relatively soft semiplastic container which may be squeezed manually to force the contents out through a discharge opening, and wherein the soft resilient nature of the material of the container is employed for maintaining tension on a shut-off valve enclosing the discharge opening.

Another object is to provide an improved valve assembly for dispensing devices, which valve assembly is economical to manufacture in quantity and which may be quickly and easily installed as a unit.

Other objects and advantages will appear more fully hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showinga cosmetic dispenser embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the lines 2-2 as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the lines 33 as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional detail of a portion of the device as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an elevation showing the valve member prior to its assembly in the valve seat member.

Figure 6 is an elevation partly in section showing a modified form of my invention.

Figure 7 is a sectional plan View taken substantially on the lines 7-7 as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 shows a further modified form of my invention employing a semi-soft resilient bottle cap mounted on a conventional glass bottle.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side elevation partly in section showing a further modification.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Figures 1 to 5, the container 10 may be formed in the shape of a sphere for artistic appearance, and the material forming the sphere is preferably of relatively soft plastic nature which may be readily distorted under squeezing pressure exerted manually. Containers of this type are commonly formed of polyethylene. Such containers are nonbreakable, light in weight, and afford a convenient means of dispensing creams or pastes which do not flow readily through a dispensing opening by gravity. The material forming the wall of the container need not be of uniform thickness, and it is preferred to provide one or more areas 11 which are relatively thin compared to the remaining portions of the wall of the container. These relatively thin portions are readily distorted under pressure applied by the finger tips so as to force the contents of the container through a suitable dispensing opening.

In accordance with my invention, 1 provide a valve I assembly generally designated 12 having a central opening 13 through which the contents of the container may be expelled. The particular container illustrated is intended for use with cosmetic preparations such as, for example, creams and pastes, but is not limited to such 10 use. The valve assembly 12 includes a seat member 14 which is provided with the central opening 13, and a movable valve element 15 which extends through the opening 13. The valve member 15 is provided with a stem 16 having a head 17 on one end and an enlargement 18 on the other. A sealing surface 19 on the valve head 17 is adapted to engage a corresponding sealing surface 20 formed on the seat member 14. The outer diameter of the enlargement 18 is slightly less than the diameter of the opening 13 to enable the projection 18 to pass through the opening 13. The projection 18 is then mashed or distorted to increase its lateral dimension so that it cannot return through the opening 13, and hence provides an abutment to maintain the valve member 15 in assembled relation with respect to the seat memher 4.

The valve member 15 is assembled with respect to the seat member 14 before the latter is installed on the container 10. The valve member 15 and seat member 14 are then installed as a unit by forcing the seat member 14 into an opening 21 provided in the wall of the container 10.

in order to facilitate installation of the valve assembly 12 upon the container 10, the valve seat member 14 is provided with a plurality of prongs 22 which are formed -,integrally with the body thereof. Each of the prongs is provided with a taper portion 23 and a shoulder 24. The seat member 14 is installed by pushing it into the opening 21. The taper surfaces 23 on the prongs 22 permit installation of the seat member 14. When the mating surfaces 25 on the seat member and container 10 engage, the prongs expand outwardly so that the shoulders 24 underlie a portion of the inner surface of the container 10. The seat member 14 is thus anchored securely in place.

Means are provided for applying a closing force to the valve member 15, and as shown in Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings this means includes a keeper ring 26 having integrally formed trunnions 27 at opposite sides thereof. These trunnions extend radially inwardly and are received within recesses 28 provided in the wall container 10. The ring 26 is thus pivotally mounted in the container 10. A contact piece 29 is provided on the keeper ring 26 for engagement with the head 17 of the movable valve element 15. The proportions of the parts are such that the resilient material forming the container 10 must be distorted under compression in order for the contact piece 29 to reach a position over the valve head 17. The distorted material is thus stressed by the keeper ring 26 and the stress exerts a force on the valve 15 resiliently maintaining it in closed position against the seat member 14. It will be understood from this description that the inherent resilience of the soft semi-plastic material of the container is employed in connection with the relatively rigid keeper ring to maintain the valve in closed position.

The force on the valve tending to maintain it in closed position insures that leakage of contents of the container shall be prevented and it further acts to prevent entrance of air into the interior of the container. Cosmetic preparations which dry out upon exposure to air therefore may be kept indefinitely in a container having the sealing device just described.

When it is desired to expel a part of the contents of the container, the keeper ring 26 is swung about its pivot trunnion 27 so that the contact piece 29 is moved away from the valve head 27. The weakened area 11 then may be squeezed manually to pressurize the contents of'the container and cause such contents ot pass outwardly through the opening 13 in the valve seat member 14. The 80 enlargement 18. on the end of the valve stem 16 does not impede flow because of its reduced thickness in one plane,

as shown in Figure 3. The contents of the container pass outwardly through the opening 13 between the valve seat 20 and the surface 19 on the valve head. While flow is taking place outwardly through the opening 13, the movable valve member 15 assumes the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 4.

When it is again desired to seal the outlet port of the container, the keeper ring 26 is returned to the position shown in Figure 2, with the contact piece 29 directly f,

over the valve head 17. The contact piece 29 may be provided with a central detent 30 for engaging the upper surface of the valve head. The keeper ring 26 is preferably formed of a relatively rigid nonresilient material such as, or example, a methyl methacrylate. a circular footing 31 may be provided on the otherwise spherical container in order that it may rest on a level surface without rolling.

In the modified form of my invention shown in Figures 6 and 7, the shape of the container 50 is not spherical, but is oval in cross section and diminishes in size from the relative large base 51 toward the upper end of the container. The container 50 is preferably formed of relatively soft resilient plastic material similar to that I material of the screw cap 71 located between the open- If desired,

previously described. The valve assembly 12a is substantially the same as that described above and includes the movable valve element 15a. The valve assembly 12a is secured to the upper end of the container in a manner similar to that described above. Instead of a keeper ring, a keeper element 26a is employed which may be fastened to simulate any desired artistic design. The keeper element 26a is provided with inwardly directed trunnions 27a, received within recesses 28a provided in the wall of the material forming the container 50. The keeper element 26a is also provided with a contact piece 29a which engages the head of the valve element 15a to maintain it in closed position. The springiness or resilience of the upper portion 52 of the container 50 lying between the recesses 28a and the valve assembly 12a serves to provide a force tending to hold the valve 15a in a closed position. Thus, the upper portion of the soft semiplastic container maintains tension on the relatively rigid keeper 26a to maintain the valve assembly in closed position.

In the modified form of my invention, shown in Figure 8, an ordinary glass bottle 60 is provided with a screw cap 61 formed of relatively soft resilient plastic material similar to that described above. The cap 61 is provided with a central outlet port 62 through which a movable valve element 63 extends. The upper end of the valve element 63 is formed as a ball 64 and the lower end comprises an enlarged lug 65 which permits disassembly of the valve with respect to the cap. A relatively rigid nonresilient keeper 26b is pivoted to the cap 61 by means of trunnions 271) which engage Within the openings 28b provided in the cap 61. When the keeper 26b is in the position shown in Figure 8, the relatively soft resilient semiplastic material of the cap located between the openings 23b and the upper end of the cap is distorted under compression so that the ball 64 is maintained resiliently upon the cooperating seat 66. The contents of the conventional glass bottle 60 cannot be expelled by squeezing the bottle and therefore the passage area through the port 62 must be relatively larger than that described in connection with the other forms of my invention. When the keeper 26b is pivoted to an inoperative position, the contents of the glass bottle 60 flow by gravity outward through the port 62. The advantage of this particular embodiment of my invention is that it may be employed in connection with standard bottles or other containers which are readily available in quantity at low cost.

In the further modification shown in Figure 9, the ordinary glass bottle 70 is provided with a screw cap 71 formed of relatively soft resilient plastic material similar to that described above. The cap 71 is provided with a central outlet port 72 and a pair of radially extending aligned openings 280. A relatively rigid nonresilient keeper 260 is pivoted to the cap 71 by means of trunnions 270 which engage within the openings 280 provided in the screw cap 71. A central protuberance 73 on the keeper 260 is adapted to engage a seating surface 74 provided on the screw cap 71 adjacent the outlet of the port 72. When the keeper 260 is in the position shown in Figure 9 the relatively soft resilient semi-plastic ings 28c and the upper end of the cap is distorted under compression so that the protuberance 73 is maintained resiliently upon the cooperating seat 74. When the keeper 260 is pivoted to an inoperative position the contents of the glass bottle 70 flow by gravity outward through the port 72.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a dispenser for liquids, creams and the like, the combination of: a container assembly having at least a portion thereof formed of a relatively soft resilient material, said portion having an opening extending therethrough, a valve assembly including a movable valve element mounted in said opening to confine the contents of the container assembly against escape, a relatively rigid nonresilient keeper pivoted on said resilient portion of the container assembly exteriorly thereof, the keeper being adapted to engage the movable valve element and maintain it in closed position, the parts being so proportioned that the resilient material is distorted from its free unstressed condition when the keeper engages the valve element, whereby a closing force is applied by the container material through the keeper to maintain the valve assembly in closed position.

2. In a dispenser for liquids, creams and the like, the combination of: a container assembly having at least a portion thereof formed of a relatively soft resilient material, said portion having an opening extending therethrough, and having a pair of recesses formed in the outer surface thereof, a valve assembly including a movable valve element mounted in said opening to confine the contents of the container assembly against escape, a relatively rigid nonresilient keeper having trunnions pivoted on said recesses in the resilient portion of the container assembly, the keeper being adapted to engage the movable valve element and maintain it in closed position, the parts being so proportioned that the resilient material is distorted from its free unstressed condition when the keep er engages the valve element, so that the valve element is subjected to a closing force by the keeper.

3. In a dispenser for liquids, creams and the like, the combination of: a container assembly having at least a portion thereof formed of a relatively soft resilient material, said portion having an opening extending therethrough, a unitary valve assembly including a movable valve element mounted in a passage in a seat member, the seat member being secured in said opening, a relatively rigid non-resilient keeper pivoted on said resilient portion of the container assembly exteriorly thereof, the keeper being adapted to engage the movable valve element and maintain it in closed position against the seat member, the parts being so proportioned that the resilient material is distorted from its free unstressed condition when the keeper engages the valve element, so that the valve element is subjected to a closing force by the keeper.

4. In a dispenser for liquids, creams and the like, the combination of: a container formed of a relatively soft resilient material, the container having an opening in a wall thereof, a valve assembly including a movable valve element mounted in said opening to confine the contents of the container against escape, the container yielding under squeezing force applied manually to expel a portion of its contents through the valve assembly, a relatively rigid non-resilient keeper pivotally mounted upon the container, the keeper being adapted to engage the movable valve element and maintain it in closed position, the resilient material of the container being distorted from its free unstressed condition when the keeper engages the valve element, whereby a closing force is applied by the container material through the keeper to maintain the valve assembly in closed position.

5. In a dispenser for liquids, creams and the like, the combination of: a container formed of a relatively soft resilient material, the container having an opening in a wall thereof and being provided with a pair of aligned recesses in its outer surface, a valve assembly including a movable valve element mounted in said opening to confine the contents of the container against escape, the container yielding under squeezing force applied manually to expel a portion of its contents through the valve assembly a relatively rigid nonresilient keeper having aligned trunnions, the trunnions being received in said recesses to provide a pivoted mounting for the keeper upon the container, the keeper being adapted to engage the movable valve element and maintain it in closed position, the resilient material of the container being distorted from its free unstressed condition when the keeper engages the valve element, whereby a closing force is applied by the container material through the keeper to maintain the valve assembly in closed position.

6. In a dispenser for liquids, creams and the like, the combination of: a container formed of resilient polyethylene plastic material, the container having an opening in a wall thereof, a unitary valve assembly including a movable valve element mounted in a passage in a relatively rigid nonresilient seat member, the seat member being secured in said opening, the container yielding under squeezing force applied manually to expel a portion of its contents through the valve passage, a relatively rigid nonresilient keeper pivotally mounted upon the container, the keeper being adapted to engage the movable valve element and maintain it in closed position against the seat member, the resilient polyethylene material of the container being distorted from its free unstressed condition when the keeper engages the valve element, whereby a closing force is applied by the container material through the keeper to maintain the valve assembly in closed position.

7. In a dispenser for liquids, creams and the like, the combination of: a container formed of a relatively soft resilient material, the container having an opening in a wall thereof and being provided with a pair of aligned recesses in its outer surface, a unitary valve assembly including a movable valve element mounted in a passage in a relatively rigid nonresilient seat member, the seat member being secured in said opening, the container yielding under squeezing force applied manually to expel a portion of its contents through the valve passage, a relatively rigid nonresilient keeper having aligned trunnions, the trunnions being received in said recesses to provide a pivoted mounting for the keeper upon the container, the keeper being adapted to engage the movable valve element and maintain it in closed position against the seat member, the resilient material of the container being distorted from its free unstressed condition when the keeper engages the valve element, whereby a closing force is applied by the container material through the keeper to maintain the valve assembly in closed position.

8. In a dispenser for liquids, creams and the like, the combination of: a container formed of a relatively soft resilient material, the container having an opemng in a wall thereof and being provided with a pair of aligned recesses in its outer surface, a valve assembly including a movable valve element mounted in said opening to confine the contents of the container against escape, the container yielding under squeezing force applied manually to expel a portion of its contents through the valve assembly, a relatively rigid nonresilient keeper comprising a circular ring completely encircling the container and having aligned trunnions, the trunnions being received in said recesses to provide a pivoted mounting for the keeper upon the container, the keeper being adapted to engage the movable valve element and maintain it in closed position, the resilient material of the container being distorted from its free unstressed condition when the keeper engages the valve element, whereby a closing force is applied by the container material through the keeper to maintain the valve assembly in closed position.

9. In a dispenser for liquid, creams and the like, the combination of: a hollow spherical container formed of a relatively soft resilient material, the container having a weakened area capable of ready depression, a discharge opening, and a pair of diametrically disposed journalled recesses disposed approximately from said outlet opening; a valve assembly including a movable valve element mounted in said opening to confine the contents of the container against escape, said container being yieldable under squeezing force applied at said weakened area thereby to expel a portion of its contents through the valve assembly; a relatively rigid non-resilient keeper ring having diametrically disposed trunnions journalled in said recesses whereby said keeper ring may pivot across said valve element, there being means on said keeper ring to engage said valve element and maintain it in a closed position, the resilient material of said container being distortable from its free unstressed condition when said valve element is engaged by said means whereby a closing force is applied by the container material to maintain the valve assembly in its closed position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 886,984 Jopling May 5, 1908 1,771,545 Melvin July 29, 1130 1,861,483 Simpson June 7, 1932 1,867,182 Sicault July 12, 1932 1,868,821 Fuller July 26, 1932 2,132,735 Huston Oct. 11, 1938 2,143,263 Fisher Jan. 10, 1939 2,543,432 Boxer Feb. 27, 1951

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