Improved aerosol valve with gasket deformation to enhance sealing

Claim 1

In a valve assembly for an aerosol dispensing system comprising container means storing aerosol formulation to be dispensed, means firmly mounting said valve assembly to said container means, means including said valve assembly defining an opening, a valve stem extending through said opening and mounted in said valve assembly in a manner enabling axial movement thereof, conduit means defined by said valve stem and extending therethrough, said valve stem being axially movable movable between a dispensing position wherein said conduit means is placed in flow communication with the interior of said container means, and a nondispensing position stopping said flow communication, and gasket means mounted in said valve assembly encircling said valve stem in tight sliding engagement therewith enabling said axial movement of said valve stem between said dispensing and nondispensing positions while providing a seal for said opening preventing undue leakage of aerosol formulation therethrough, the improvement comprising annular protuberant means in said valve assembly closely adjacent said valve stem projecting beyond and through the limits of the outer surface of said gasket means and deforming said gasket means from its normal shape thereby compressing said gasket means about said valve stem to enhance said sealing action and a lubricating washer being mounted externally of said container means closely surrounding said valve stem in sliding engagement therewith.