US3583606A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-cleaning valve
Assignee: AptarGroup Inc
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Filing: 1969-10-20
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Granted: 1971-06-08
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Expires: 1989-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A self-cleaning valve for an aerosol container wherein the propellant cleans the valve prior and subsequent to product discharge. The valve has two stacked isolated chambers, each of which respectively communicates with the aerosol propellant and product. As the valve stem of the valve is depressed, its orifice first passes through the propellant chamber whereupon the valve is cleaned by the propellant and then subsequently to the product chamber whereupon the product is dispensed. The process is reversed when the valve is released, and by use of a valve stem with two vertically spaced discharge orifices, properly spaced with respect to each other, provision is made for a ''''softer'''' spray. An adapter is also provided to close the product port and reroute the product to the propellant chamber so that the valve can act as an intermittent spray valve and even as a metering valve.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald F Ewald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:54
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D83/00; B65D83/14; B65D83/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A valve for an aerosol container comprising a tubular valve body sealing means sealing the upper end of said valve body, a cleaning chamber disposed in the upper portion of said valve body, said cleaning chamber in communication with a first fluid within said container, a product chamber disposed in the lower portion of said valve body and isolated from said cleaning chamber, said product chamber in communication with a second fluid within said container, a valve stem reciprocally mounted within said valve body, said valve stem having therein a longitudinal extending channel open at its upper end and having a discharge orifice adjacent its lower end, said sealing means sealing said discharge orifice when said valve stem is in its uppermost position, and said valve stem adapted to be reciprocated between said uppermost position to an intermediate position where the orifice is within the cleaning chamber and to a lowermost position where the orifice is within the product chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A valve for an aerosol container comprising a tubular valve body sealing means sealing the upper end of said valve body, a cleaning chamber disposed in the upper portion of said valve body, said cleaning chamber in communication with a first fluid within said container, a product chamber disposed in the lower portion of said valve body and isolated from said cleaning chamber, said product chamber in communication with a second fluid within said container, a valve stem reciprocally mounted within said valve body, said valve stem having therein a longitudinal extending channel open at its upper end and having a discharge orifice adjacent its lower end, said sealing means sealing said discharge orifice when said valve stem is in its uppermost position, and said valve stem adapted to be reciprocated between said uppermost position to an intermediate position where the orifice is within the cleaning chamber and to a lowermost position where the orifice is within the product chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The valve of claim 1 further including, in combination, a metering adapter having means to stop the communication of the cleaning chamber with said first fluid and of the product chamber with said second fluid and to reroute the second fluid into the cleaning chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein said second fluid communicates with said cleaning chamber when the container is inverted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein passageways are provided in the valve body for passing the first fluid to the cleaning chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The valve of claim 4 further including, in combination, a metering adapter having means to stop communication of the cleaning chamber with the first fluid and of the product chamber with said second fluid and rerouting the second fluid into the cleaning chamber via said valve body passageways.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein a clearance is provided between the valve body and container for passing the first fluid to the cleaning chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein the cleaning chamber is formed by a spacer between said sealing means and a partitioning gasket isolates the product chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The valve of claim 7 wherein the volume of the cleaning chamber may be regulated by varying the thickness of said spacer and said sealing means and said partitioning gasket.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein a clearance is provided between the valve body and container for passing the first fluid to the cleaning chamber, said cleaning chamber being formed by a spacer lying between said sealing means and a partitioning gasket that isolates the product chamber and the volume of the cleaning chamber being regulated by varying the thickness of said spacer and said sealing means and said partitioning gasket.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein said clEaning chamber is enclosed by said valve body sealing means and a partitioning seal means between said cleaning chamber and said product chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The valve of claim 10 wherein said valve body sealing means and said partitioning seal means are integral.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The valve of claim 11 wherein said valve body sealing means and said partitioning seal means are made of different material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The valve of claim 10 wherein said valve stem has an additional discharge orifice vertically spaced from said discharge orifice, each orifice being disposed opposite said valve body sealing means and said partitioning seal means respectively.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The valve of claim 11 wherein said second fluid is contained within a flexible walled inner container within said aerosol container.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-07 | 1974-12-07 | 1975-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-07 | 1978-12-07 | 1979-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-07 | 1982-12-07 | 1983-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |