US3145011A

US3145011A - Valve mechanism

Info

Publication number: US3145011A
Application number: US141414A
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry C Kappel
Original assignee: UNI VALVE CORP
Current assignee: UNI VALVE CORP
Priority date: 1961-09-28
Filing date: 1961-09-28
Publication date: 1964-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 1981-08-18

Description

Aug. 18, 1964 H. c. KAPPEL VALVE MECHANISM Filed Sept. 28, 1961 United States Patent 3,145,011 VALVE MECHANISM Henry C. Kappel, Elmhurst, 111., assignor to The Uni giaive Corporation, Frantriin Park, 11]., a corporation of more Filed Sept. 23, 1961, Ser. No. 141,414 3 Claims. Cl. 251-349) This invention relates to a valve of the aerosol type and more particularly to a mechanism which will permit a normally reciprocally operable aerosol valve to be held permanently open without continued application of pressure by an operator.

Aerosol valves such as are disclosed in the patents to Loven et al. 2,582,262 and Green 2,709,111 are used to control the discharge of a variety of materials held in a container under gas pressure. Normally discharge is accomplished by depressing the valve, whereby the contents of the container, under the influence of gas entrapped or absorbed, is forced out through the valve and an associated nozzle as a fine spray or mist. Such valves are positioned at the top of the container and are usually held in the closed position by a spring. The valve is opened by pressing downwardly on the nozzle against the action of the spring. As long as downward pressure is maintained on the nozzle the valve will remain open. Release of pressure will cause the valve to immediately return to its closed position.

A valve action of the foregoing type is satisfactory for most uses wherein aerosol dispensers are required. However, such valves require constant application of pres sure by an operator to maintain discharge as there is normally no provision for permitting the valve to remain open upon release of pressure to provide continuous discharge. For some applications, such as paint spraying and the like, it may be advantageous to have a valve which can be temporarily placed in a permanently open position and retained in this position without continuing pressure by an operator and which may be returned to its normal method of operation.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide an aerosol valve which is operable in the normal manner by application and release of pressure or which, alternately, may be placed in a permanently open position at the option of an operator.

Another object is to provide a valve mechanism of the foregoing type which is relatively simple in design and which may be manufactured at a competitive cost.

A further object is to provide a valve mechanism as described which lends itself to rapid assembly and large volume production methods.

These and other objects Will become more apparent from the further disclosure of the details of the invention hereinafter.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a partial vertical section of an aerosol dispenser provided with a valve of the type contemplated herein showing the valve in closed position.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged section of the valve assembly of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a section, taken along line 33 of FIG- URE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a partial elevation, partly in section, of the valve stem comprising a part of the valve assembly.

FIGURE 5 is a plan of the underside of the valve stem of FIGURE 4.

Turning now to the drawing the numeral 1 indicates a container adapted to hold a material to be dispensed as an aerosol spray. The container is provided with a closure or top 2 which normally includes a peripheral flange 3 for supporting and uniting the top with the container.

Top 2, as shown, may be so designed as to extend downwardly into the container with an upwardly extending centrally disposed portion 4, which is adapted to hold the valve assembly, designated generally by the numeral 5. The sides of the central portion 4 of the top are shown as being indented inwardly as at 6 to provide support for the valve assembly as further described hereinafter.

Valve assembly 5 includes a valve housing 7 having a downwardly projecting tubular extension 8 to which may be attached an eduction tube, not shown. The upper or open end of housing '7 is provided with a peripheral flange 9. The underside of flange 9 is supported on the indentation 6, thereby positioning the valve housing within the central portion 4 of the top 2.

Extending across the top of the open end of the housing 7 is a gasket 11) which serves to form a fluid tight chamber within the housing 7 beneath the gasket. The gasket should be formed from a suitable non-permeable material such as neoprene or the like.

The upper section 12 of the central portion 4 of the top may be deformed inwardly over the gasket, as shown, to hold the gasket and, correspondingly, the valve assembly in position. While such an arrangement frequently offers advantages from a manufacturing and assembly standpoint alternate means may be used. For example, a separate cup-like retainer may be employed extending over the top of the gasket and then downwardly along the sides of central portion 4 of the top, with an indentation conforming with indentation 6 to lock the retainer in position.

Disposed within housing 7 is a valve 14, adapted to be actuated to control discharge of the contents of the container. The valve is composed of a base 15 having an upstanding circular flange or wall 16 formed integrally with the base and defining a cavity, the upper surface of base 15 forming the bottom of the cavity. When the valve is in closed position the upper edge 17 of the flange 16 is adapted to be forced against the underside or inner face of gasket ltl closing the cavity and providing a fluid-tight seal to prevent egress of the container contents.

Centrally disposed on the top of the base 15 and within the confines of wall 16 is an upwardly projecting guide 18 adapted to assist in positioning the tubular valve stem 19 further referred to hereinafter. Extending outwardly from the bottom of the guide 18 across the top of base 15 are a plurality of projections 29. Depending from the bottom of the valve base 15 is a circular flange or wall 21 adapted to retain and position a spring 22. Spring 22 extends between the bottom of the valve housing and the underside of the valve base 15 and serves to normally urge the valve 14 into a closed position. Preferably the valve is made from a suitable plastic whereby all parts thereof as described are formed as an integral unit in a single molding operation.

The tubular valve stem 19 extends from within the chamber of the valve housing, upwardly through gasket 10 and projects above the container. Gasket 10 is so dimensioned that it forms a tight seal around the sides of stem 19 while permitting the stem to be reciprocally operated. Disposed at the top of the stem 19 is a nozzle 25 which serves to direct the contents of the con tainer 1 when forced through the valve and stem, under influence of the pressure within the container when the valve is open. As is perhaps best illustrated in FIGURE 4, the lower part of the stem 19, which is normally positioned within the valve housing chamber, is enlarged as at 26 forming a shoulder 27. Depending from the bottom edge 28 of the lower enlarged part 26 of the stem are a plurality of spaced extensions or cams 29, preferably having a curvilinear configuration. At least two such extensions are required.

When the valve components have been assembled and the assembly installed in position, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the shoulder 27 is adapted to be pressed against the underside of the gasket by reason of the action of spring 22. Extensions 29, for normal operation, are adapted to rest on the top of base between projections 20. The dimension of circular flange 16 is such that its peripheral edge likewise is in sealed contact with the underside of gasket 10.

In the above normal position of the various components of the valve assembly, downward pressure on nozzle 25 will be transmitted through stem 19 to valve 14. This action forces the valve downwardly against the action of spring 22 and opens a gap between the top 17 of flange 16 and the underside of gasket 10. Shoulder 27 will also be forced downwardly away from the underside of gasket 10, however, the sides of the stem 19 are nevertheless sealed by gasket 10 which is designed so as to provide a close fit with the stem. When the valve is thus opened the contents of the container are permitted to pass over the edge 17 of valve flange 16, then downwardlyand upwardly beneath lower edge 28 of the valve stem between extensions 29 and into valve stem 19 for discharge as a spray from nozzle 25. Release of downward pressure on nozzle 25 will permit the valve to return to its normally closed position.

The foregoing operation of opening and closing the valve is similar to the operation used in many aerosol valves. However, the present invention provides a means for opening the valve and maintaining it open for an indefinite period even though there is no downward pressure applied to hold the valve open as is normally required. The particular improvement resides primarily in the use of the curvilinear extensions 29 forming a part of the lower edge of the valve stem in combination with the projections disposed on the upper surface of the valve base 15.

As indicated, in the normal position of the valve components the extensions 29 are disposed between projections 20 and rest on the upper surface of the valve base. However, the stem 19 is constructed and assembled with the other valve components of the valve assembly in such a manner that it may be rotated. When the stem 19 is thus rotated under sufficient force, the curvilinear extensions 29 ride up onto the top projections 20. The width of projections 20 should be such that their upper surface will adequately support the stem in the new position when the extensions are forced onto the top surface of the projections. Normally the spring 22 is used to prevent corresponding rotation of valve 14 when the stem 19 is rotated. This is usually accomplished by providing appropriate abutments at the bottom of the housing 7 and the underside of base 15 which cooperate with the spring ends to prevent rotation of the valve. As will be readily understood, any alternate means may be likewise employed.

The action of rotating the stem and moving the curvilinear extensions onto the top of the projections 20 forces the valve 14 downwardly against the action of spring 22 with shoulder 27 remaining in contact with gasket 10, whereby the seal between edge 17 of flange 16 and the underside of gasket 10 is broken. This posi tion of the stem serves to hold the valve permanently open, even though there is no downward pressure applied to nozzle 25 in the usual manner. Discharge of the container contents is accomplished through the same path as previously described.

As long as the extensions 29 are resting on the top of projections 20, the valve will remain open. To close the valve the stem is rotated backward or forward such that the curvilinear extensions 29 are forced off of the projections 20 permitting the spring to push the valve flange 16 upward and against the underside of the gasket.

As can be seen the projections 20, in effect, form a series of depressions and elevations in the upper surface of the valve base 15. The same result may be obtained by forming a series of recesses in the base to provide similar raised areas for coaction with extensions 29.

The present invention permits a dual action aerosol valve thereby enhancing the utility of such valves and permitting greater flexibility and use under a variety of conditions.

1 claim:

1. In a valve assembly:

an open top valve housing;

a gasket closing said top;

a valve reciprocable in the housing, said valve having a wall provided with a continuous terminal edge and defining a cavity having a bottom;

resilient means in the housing yieldably biasing the valve toward one end of its path of travel with said edge engaging the inner face of said gasket, closing the cavity;

a tubular stem in said chamber and extending through the gasket, said stern having means engaging said face;

a projection on said bottom within the cavity; and

means on the stem disposed for engagement with the projection upon rotation of the stem to shift the valve against the action of said resilient means and thereby unseat said edge from the gasket.

2. The invention of claim 1, said means on the stern having a cam surface engageable with the projection.

3. The invention of claim 1, said stern having an edge proximal to said bottom, said means on the stern comprising an extension from said edge having an arcuate surface engageable with the projection upon rotation of the stem, said surface normally engaging said bottom, presenting a space between said bottom and said edge.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 900,102 Kessler Oct. 6, 1908 2,582,262 Loven et al. Jan. 15, 1952 2,689,768 Falligant Sept. 21, 1954 2,757,964 Both et al. Aug. 7, 1956 2,841,443 Seacrist July 1, 1958 2,900,114 Utz Aug. 18, 1959 2,938,673 Allanbaugh May 31, 1960

Claims

1. IN A VALVE ASSEMBLY: AN OPEN TOP VALVE HOUSING; A GASKET CLOSING SAID TOP; A VALVE RECIPROCABLE IN THE HOUSING, SAID VALVE HAVING A WALL PROVIDED WITH A CONTINUOUS TERMINAL EDGE AND DEFINING A CAVITY HAVING A BOTTOM; RESILIENT MEANS IN THE HOUSING YIELDABLY BIASING THE VALVE TOWARD ONE END OF ITS PATH OF TRAVEL WITH SAID EDGE ENGAGING THE INNER FACE OF SAID GASKET, CLOSING THE CAVITY;