US3685696A

US3685696A - Three part, two fluid dispenser

Info

Publication number: US3685696A
Application number: US79758A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leonard L Marraffino
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-10-12
Filing date: 1970-10-12
Publication date: 1972-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 1989-08-22

Abstract

A fluid mixing and dispensing device is provided for a metallic aerosol can containing a metal affecting fluid in a collapsible bag or the like, the bag being of a material unaffected by such fluid. The mixing and dispensing device comprises three basic parts easily manufactured and assembled in the metallic cap. The fluids are mixed and dispensed without contact with the metal cap.

Description

United States Patent Marraffino Y [54] THREE PART, TWO FLUID DISPENSER [72] Inventor: Leonard L. Marrafiino, 1824 NW. 36 Court, Oakland Park, Fla. 33308 [22] Filed: Oct. 12, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 79,758

[52] US. Cl ..222/136, 222/402.24 [51] Int. Cl. ..B65d 83/14 [58] Field of Search ..222/ 145, 402.24, 402.1, 94,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,913,749 11/1959 Ayres ..222/402.24 X 3,206,074 9/ 1 965 Hoffmann ..222/94 3,217,936 1l/1965 Abplanalp ..222/145 X 3,333,744 8/ 1967 Nilsen et a1 ..222/402.24 X

15 3,685,696 [451 Aug. 22, 1972 3,465,918 9/1969 Webster "222/136 3,506,160 4/1970 Forim ..222/145 3,543,965 12/1970 Lehmann ..222/145 X 3,565,290 2/ 1971 Prussin et a] ..222/94 X Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-John P. Shannon, .Ir. Attorney-Wynne and Finken ABSTRACT 9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDmczz I972 SHEET 1 UF 3 1 I I I O W Cr. F A R R m ML T ND E m 0 E l I all/11 m A/ MW ATTORNEYS PATENTEuAusza I972 .SHEET 2 UF 3 llllllllll r mvsmon LEONARD L.MARRAFFINO WWFW v ATTORNEYS PATENTEmuszz I972 SHEET 3 BF 3 INVENTOR LEONARD L. MARRAFFINO ATTORNEYS THREE PART, TWO FLUID DISPENSER The two fluid aerosol can is provided with a fluid mixing and dispensingdevice having three basic parts which can be easily manufactured and assembled without sacrifice of structural integrity or long shelf life. It is known that fluids, such'as hair dyesolutions and the like, are preferably mixed at the time of use. Metal cannot be exposed to such fluids due to the corrosive effects. It is further known that such fluids can be contained within a collapsible bag or cylinder or the like within an aerosol can, such internal container being of a material unaffected by such fluids. The dispensing and mixing of such fluids must take place just prior to use and without contacting metal.

Three basic parts of a material unaffected by metal are provided to accomplish this end, these being a base which is fixed to and sealed to the metal can cap, a nozzle slidably mounted in the cap, and a washer which is actuated by the nozzle to open fluid outlets in the base. The fluids pass through the base, past the opened washer, and into the nozzle where they are mixed and ultimately dispensed. The washer and nozzle coact to allow fluid flow and to prevent such fluid from contacting the metal cap.

The nozzle is removable from the metal cap to enable cleaning thereof as well as cleaning of the washer and base member. This eliminates the accumulation of dried or crystallized residue after use.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear during the course of the following description.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a central vertical section through a pressurized dispenser;

FIG. 2 is a view of the fluid mixing and dispensing device of FIG. 1 in dispensing condition;

FIG. 3 is a view taken on

line

3, 3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. MS a central vertical section of a device similar to that shown in FIG. 1 wherein a coil spring is substituted for the integral distortable spring portion of the washer of FIG. 1; I

FIG. 5 is. view of the fluid mixing and dispensing device of FIG. 4 in dispensing condition;

FIG. 6 is a central vertical section of a device similar to that shown in FIG. 1, wherein a tension, not compression, type washer is employed;

FIG. 7 is a view of the device of FIG. 6 in dispensing condition; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tension type washer of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For brevity, a vertical position of the aerosol can will be used in the description; other positions and terms are hereby identified as equivalents.

FIGS. 1 3 show the aerosol can 14 and its annular cup like metal can 15 which houses the valve mechanism 16. The top cap 15 has a longitudinally extending conduit 17 which is rolled inwardly at 18 into fixed holding and sealing engagement with an annular outer groove 19 of the base 20. The annular portion 21 extending upwardly from this rolled portion 18 is in sealing face-to-face engagement with the outer vertical upper annular wall 22 of the base 20. Following this, a transversely inwardly extending annular ledge 23 is provided for coacting with the top annular wall 24 of the base 20 to peripherally and sealingly sandwich the outer peripheral edge of the washer 25. The conduit 17 then extends upwardly a predetemiined distance coordinated with the desired reciprocating movement of the nozzle 26. The conduit 17 then is reduced in diameter again to provide means in the form of an annular lip 27 for engagement with an annular stop 28 on the nozzle 26 to limit upward movement of the nozzle.

The three basic parts are viewed as an important concept in that practical prior designs have involved four or more parts. These three basic parts are the base 20, the nozzle 26 and the washer 25.

The base 20 includes a bottom portion 29,having a nipple 30 for receiving the non-metallic collapsible bag 31 or the like and a hole 32 for receiving a dip tube 33.

Fine diameter ducts

34 and 35 extend upwardly from nipple 30 and socket 32, respectively, through a central pillar 36 terminating at

transverse outlets

37 and 38, respectively, these outlets preferably being diametrically opposed to keep ,the fluids separated at the outlet zone. The base bottom portion 29 is in effect a ring which seats up against the bottom of the cap 15 in faceto-face sealing engagement therewith. Extending upwardly therefrom is the upper annular wall 22 in sealing engagement with the cap 15 which defines with central pillar 36 an annular socket 40. The pillar 36 extends above the annular wall 22 and has a stop ring 41 extending laterally for engagement with the top surface of the inner rim of washer 25 and a top nose 42 which extends into the bottom portion of the nozzle 26 to define a mixing chamber 45 therewith. Preferably, the nose 42 is tapered or conical to provide a venturi-like action in the mixing chamber 45. Further, mixing action is produced in the nozzle itself in the venturi neck 46.

The nozzle 26 also includes a top spout 47 and a bottom 48 whose annular surface engages the top inner annular surface of the washer 25 for distorting movement thereof. The transverse outwardly extending annular stop 28 on the nozzle engages the conduit annular lip 27 to limit upward movement caused by the biasing force delivered by the washer.

Preferably, washer 25 is of a predetermined compliance and construction such that on assembly it has residual upward bias to maintain the nozzle 26 in up position. Its outer periphery is clamped and held by the base 20 and cap 15 thereby enabling distortion, as shown in FIG. 2, to uncover the

transverse outlets

37 and 38 and allow release of both fluids at the same time to. ensure proper mixture. The washer 25 includes a top ring-like member 50 and a distortable depending member 51 of predetermined resilience integrally extending downwardly therefrom and seated in the annular socket 40. Specifically, the depending member 51 includes a bulbous portion 52 and a saucer-like portion 53 which coact to produce the required power for nozzle return, the nozzle being guided by the cap bearing 55 in its reciprocating movement.

It will be understood that various modifications can be made, such as the substitution of a metallic or nonmetallic coil spring 60 as shown in FIGS. 4 5 for the bulbous portion 52 and saucer-like portion 53 of the washer of FIG. 1. A simple ring washer is utilized in the modification of FIGS. 4-5 and its distorted position on opening is shown in FIG. 5. All other details of FIGS. 4 and 5 are as previously described.

The nozzle 26 is snapped into place through cap bearing 55. It can easily be removed by the user to enable washing. The pocket within the conduit 17 can then be easily washed to clean the washer 25 and base nose 46. This feature is particularly important in the elimination of residues which can produce clogging and reduction of usability of the product.

The modification shown in FIGS. 6 8 differs in that it primarily relies on a tensioning of an upper U-shaped member 70 to insure the return to full sealing of the washer 71. As will be noted, many of the other details of the three part unit are the same. It will be noted however that the nozzle 26 does not have the annular stop 28; it merely is slidably positioned within the conduit 17 for engagement with the ring-like member 72. It may be easily slid out for cleaning.

The ring-like member 72 differs in that it has a peripheral depending rim 73 which seats within an upwardly opening peripheral through 74 formed in the top of the base 20 by the upstanding peripheral wall 75.

An integral annular distortable member 76 depends from the ring-like member 72 and is seated in the annular socket 40. This is a thin walled member which facilitates distortion and full opening of the

transverse outlets

37 and 38.

Full and secure closings of the

transverse outlets

37 and 38 is accomplished by the integral inverted U- shaped member 70 which extends upwardly from ringlike member 72 with the bight 78 of the U seated on top of the pillar 79 in a groove 80 therein. The

legs

81 and 82 of the U-shaped member 70 are of predetermined strength such that on stretching they can firmly, over many cycles, cause full sealing of the

transverse outlets

37 and 38. Cut-

outs

83 and 84 in the otherwise circular light 78 direct flow to the nozzle 26.

I claim:

1. An aerosol can for dispensing two fluids comprismg:

a container having two separate fluid chambers and a top cap having a longitudinally extending conduit with a transversely inwardly extending annular ledge; and

a fluid mixing and dispensing device including:

a base fixedly and sealingly mounted at the bottom of the conduit,

a nozzle slidably mounted for longitudinal reciprocation at the top of the conduit and having a top spout and a bottom mixing chamber; and

an annular distortable sealing washer peripherally and sealingly sandwiched between the top of the base and the cap ledge and having an inner portion operatively engaged transversely inwardly by the bottom of the nozzle to enable distortion thereby;

said base having two longitudinal ducts in separate fluid communication with said fluids, said ducts extending from the bottom portion of the base to transverse outlets which terminate in sealed engagement with the inner longitudinal wall of the sealing washer,

said washer on distortion being moved away from said outlets to enable dispensing through said mixing chamber to said spout,

said nozzle and said cap being detachably connected to enable separation for cleaning,

said base having a top annular wall which peripherally engages the washer to produce the sandwiched seal and a pillar which extends longitudinally upwardly substantially centrally of said annular wall, said annular wall and said pillar defining an annular socket for accomodating said washer on distortion, said ducts and outlets being in said pillar, the ducts through said outlets being in direct fluid communication with the mixing chamber when said washer is distorted.

2. An aerosol can as defined in claim 1 and wherein said washer has an annular distortable member of predetermined resilience integrally depending therefrom and seated in said annular socket for biasing said nozzle longitudinally upwardly.

3. An aerosol can as defined in claim 1 and wherein said washer is ring-like and a spring is seated in said annular socket to bias said washer and nozzle longitudinally upwardly.

4. An aerosol can as defined in claim 1 and wherein said pillar has a stop ring extending laterally engageable by the top surface of the inner rim of the washer to insure sealing positioning of the washer with the transverse outlets of the ducts.

5. An aerosol can as defined in claim 4 and wherein said transverse outlets of the ducts are diametrically opposed.

6. An aerosol can as defined in claim 1 and wherein means are provided for limiting the outward movement of said nozzle.

7. An aerosol can for dispensing two fluids comprismg:

a fluid mixing and dispensing device including:

a base fixedly and sealingly mounted at the bottom of the conduit and having a top annular wall,

said base having a pillar which extends longitudinally upwardly substantially centrally of said annular wall and a top nose, said annular wall and said pillar defining an annular socket for accommodating said washer on distortion, said ducts and outlets being in said pillar and in direct fluid communication with the mixing chamber when said washer is distorted,

said washer having a ring-like member providing said sandwiched engagement and having an integral annular distortable member providing said inner 1ongitudinal wall depending therefrom and seated in the top of said pillar has a groove for receiving said said annular socket and having an integral inverted bight.

U-Shaped member extending upwardly therefrom 9. An aerosol can as defined in claim 8 and wherein with the bight of the u seated on top of the pillar to saigl ring like m m has a Peripheral p s Hm provide an upward tension on the washer when 5 Whlch Seats an p y openmg Peripheral distorted, trough formed in the top of the base.

8.- An aerosol can a defined in claim 7 and wherein

Claims

1. An aerosol can for dispensing two fluids comprising: a container having two separate fluid chambers and a top cap having a longitudinally extending conduit with a transversely inwardly extending annular ledge; and a fluid mixing and dispensing device including: a base fixedly and sealingly mounted at the bottom of the conduit, a nozzle slidably mounted for longitudinal reciprocation at the top of the conduit and having a top spout and a bottom mixing chamber; and an annular distortable sealing washer peripherally and sealingly sandwiched between the top of the base and the cap ledge and having an inner portion operatively engaged transversely inwardly by the bottom of the nozzle to enable distortion thereby; said base having two longitudinal ducts in separate fluid communication with said fluids, said ducts extending from the bottom portion of the base to transverse outlets which terminate in sealed engagement with the inner longitudinal wall of the sealing washer, said washer on distortion being moved away from said outlets to enable dispensing through said mixing chamber to said spout, said nozzle and said cap being detachably connected to enable separation for cleaning, said base having a top annular wall which peripherally engages the washer to produce the sandwiched seal and a pillar which extends longitudinally upwardly substantially centrally of said annular wall, said annular wall and said pillar defining an annular socket for accomodating said washer on distortion, said ducts and outlets being in said pillar, the ducts through said outlets being in direct fluid communication with the mixing chamber when said washer is distorted.

7. An aerosol can for dispensing two fluids comprising: a container having two separate fluid chambers and a top cap having a longitudinally extending conduit with a transversely inwardly extending annular ledge; and a fluid mixing and dispensing device including: a base fixedly and sealingly mounted at the bottom of the conduit and having a top annular wall, a nozzle slidably mounted for longitudinal reciprocation at the top of the conduit and having a top spout and a bottom mixing chamber; and an annular distortable sealing washer peripherally and sealingly sandwiched between the top of the base and the cap ledge and having an inner portion operatively engaged transversely inwardly by the bottom of the nozzle to enable distortion thereby; said base having two longitudinal ducts in separate fluid communication with said fluids, said ducts extending from the bottom portion of the base to transverse outlets which terminate in sealed engagement with the inner longitudinal wall of the sealing washer, said washer on distortion being moved away from said outlets to enable dispensing through said mixing chamber to said spout, said base having a pillar which extends longitudinally upwardly substantially centrally of said annular wall and a top nose, said annular wall and said pillar defining an annular socket for accommodating said washer on distortion, said ducts and outlets being in said pillar and in direct fluid communication with the mixing chamber when said washer is distorted, said washer having a ring-like member providing said sandwiched engagement and having an integral annular distortable member providing said inner longitudinal wall depending therefrom and seated in said annular socket and having an integral inverted U-shaped member extending upwardly therefrom with the bight of the U seated on top of the pillar to provide an upward tension on the washer when distorted.

8. An aerosol can a defined in claim 7 and wherein the top of said pillar has a groove for receiving said bight.

9. An aerosol can as defined in claim 8 and wherein said ring -like member has a peripheral depending rim which seats within an upwardly opening peripheral trough formed in the top of the base.