US3592357A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for dispensing controlled volumes of gas
Assignee: RALPH A WELCH
•
Filing: 1968-05-14
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Granted: 1971-07-13
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Expires: 1988-05-14
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for dispensing controlled volumes of gas at a predetermined pressure from a pressurized source. The dispensed gas may be introduced directly into a materialreceiving chamber for the purpose of mixing with and ejecting material therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph A Welch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:21
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D83/00; B65D83/14; B65D83/44; B65D83/52; A; A61; A61M; A61M11/00; A61M11/02; A61M15/00; A61M15/0065; B01; B01F; B01F23/00; B01F23/20; B01F23/21; B05; B05B; B05B11/00; B05B11/01; B05B11/06; B05B11/062; B05B7/00; B05B7/14; B05B7/1481; B05B7/1486; D; D02; D02G; D02G1/00; D02G1/16; D02G1/161; D06; D06B; D06B3/00; D06B3/04; D06B3/045; A61M2202/00; A61M2202/06; A61M2202/064
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
257 words
A metering unit for use in dispensing known volumes of pressurized fluid at a predetermined pressure from an aerosol dispenser having valve means mounted on one end thereof operable to dispense pressurized fluid from said dispenser through an outlet opening defined by said valve means, said valve means being mounted for reciprocation between a normal inoperative position and a depressed dispensing position, said unit including means defining a chamber having an inlet adapted to receive pressurized fluid from said dispenser through said outlet opening upon operation of said valve means, said chamber-defining means comprising: a. a sleeve member having a cylindrical bore opening defining at one end thereof said chamber inlet and adapted to be mounted on said dispenser; b. a plunger member forming a moving portion of said chamberdefining means and slidably received within said bore opening, said plunger member having a normally open chamber outlet through which pressurized fluid may be discharged from said chamber; and c. an extension for said valve means adapted to be mounted thereon, said extension projecting toward said chamber outlet; said bore opening of sleeve member (a), said chamber outlet of plunger member (b) and said extension (c) being generally disposed in axial alignment with the path of reciprocation of said valve means when said dispenser is operatively attached to said unit, said plunger portion adapted to engage said extension to close said chamber outlet and to move said extension to the valve-engaging position wherein said valve means is depressed to dispensing position to dispense pressurized fluid into said chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
257 words
A metering unit for use in dispensing known volumes of pressurized fluid at a predetermined pressure from an aerosol dispenser having valve means mounted on one end thereof operable to dispense pressurized fluid from said dispenser through an outlet opening defined by said valve means, said valve means being mounted for reciprocation between a normal inoperative position and a depressed dispensing position, said unit including means defining a chamber having an inlet adapted to receive pressurized fluid from said dispenser through said outlet opening upon operation of said valve means, said chamber-defining means comprising: a. a sleeve member having a cylindrical bore opening defining at one end thereof said chamber inlet and adapted to be mounted on said dispenser; b. a plunger member forming a moving portion of said chamberdefining means and slidably received within said bore opening, said plunger member having a normally open chamber outlet through which pressurized fluid may be discharged from said chamber; and c. an extension for said valve means adapted to be mounted thereon, said extension projecting toward said chamber outlet; said bore opening of sleeve member (a), said chamber outlet of plunger member (b) and said extension (c) being generally disposed in axial alignment with the path of reciprocation of said valve means when said dispenser is operatively attached to said unit, said plunger portion adapted to engage said extension to close said chamber outlet and to move said extension to the valve-engaging position wherein said valve means is depressed to dispensing position to dispense pressurized fluid into said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
188 words
A metering unit for use in dispensing known volumes of pressurized fluid at a predetermined pressure from a source of pressurized fluid having valve means operable to dispense pressurized fluid from said source through an outlet opening, said valve means being mounted for reciprocation between a normal inoperative position and a depressed dispensing position, said unit including a hollow deformable plastic body defining a chamber and having first and second end portions, said first end portion defining a chamber inlet adapted to receive pressurized fluid from said source through said outlet opening upon operation of said valve means and said second end portion defining a movable portion, and said movable portion upon deformation of said plastic body being adapted to be reciprocated along the path of reciprocation of said valve means, a normally open chamber outlet being disposed within said movable portion through which pressurized fluid may be discharged from said chamber, said movable portion being adapted to cooperate with said valve means to close said chamber outlet and while said chamber outlet is closed to operably move said valve means to dispense pressurized fluid from said chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
188 words
A metering unit for use in dispensing known volumes of pressurized fluid at a predetermined pressure from a source of pressurized fluid having valve means operable to dispense pressurized fluid from said source through an outlet opening, said valve means being mounted for reciprocation between a normal inoperative position and a depressed dispensing position, said unit including a hollow deformable plastic body defining a chamber and having first and second end portions, said first end portion defining a chamber inlet adapted to receive pressurized fluid from said source through said outlet opening upon operation of said valve means and said second end portion defining a movable portion, and said movable portion upon deformation of said plastic body being adapted to be reciprocated along the path of reciprocation of said valve means, a normally open chamber outlet being disposed within said movable portion through which pressurized fluid may be discharged from said chamber, said movable portion being adapted to cooperate with said valve means to close said chamber outlet and while said chamber outlet is closed to operably move said valve means to dispense pressurized fluid from said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A metering unit according to claim 2, wherein said plastic body is of generally U-shaped configuration having a relatively rigid sidewall of revolution extending between said end portions and said second end portion additionally defines a movable web portion movably connecting said movable portion to said sidewall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A meteRing unit according to claim 2, wherein said plastic body is of generally cup-shaped configuration having an accordion-pleated sidewall portion extending between said end portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A metering unit according to claim 2, wherein said source is an aerosol dispenser having said valve means mounted centrally on one end thereof, said valve means defining said source outlet opening and said first end portion being adapted to be attached to said aerosol dispenser at said one end thereof about said valve means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
A metering unit according to claim 5, wherein said unit additionally includes an extension for said valve means, said extension being mounted on said valve means and projecting therefrom toward said chamber outlet, and said movable portion being adapted to sequentially engage said extension to close said chamber outlet and while in chamber outlet closing engagement therewith, move said extension and said valve means to said depressed dispensing position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
A metering unit according to claim 6, wherein said movable portion defines a valve seat and guide means disposed concentrically of said chamber outlet, said guide means being adapted to guidingly direct said extension into engagement with said valve seat to close said chamber outlet upon deformation of said plastic body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
74 words
A metering unit according to claim 6, wherein said movable portion defines a valve seat disposed concentrically of said chamber outlet; and said extension includes first and second end portions, said first extension end portion being mounted on said valve means and forming a fluid passageway between said source outlet and said chamber, and said second extension end portion being adapted to cooperate with said valve seat to effect closing of said chamber outlet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
95 words
A metering unit according to claim 5, wherein said aerosol dispenser includes a radially outwardly facing annular rim disposed concentrically of said valve means, said first end portion of said plastic body is provided with a radially inwardly facing annular slot recess adapted to sealingly receive said rim and attach said plastic body to said aerosol dispenser, and said unit additionally includes locking ring means adapted to be removably positioned over said plastic body in overlying relationship to said slot recess and said rim to selectively prevent removal of said rim from said slot recess.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
108 words
A metering unit according to claim 5, wherein said plastic body is of generally cup-shaped configuration having a relatively rigid sidewall portion of revolution extending between said end portions, said second end portion additionally defining a deformable web portion movably connecting said movable portion to said sidewall, and said unit additionally includes an extension for said valve means; said extension being mounted on said valve means and projecting therefrom toward said chamber outlet, and said movable portion being adapted to sequentially engage said extension to close said chamber outlet and while in outlet closing engagement therewith, move said extension and said valve means to said depressed dispensing position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
88 words
A metering unit according to claim 5, wherein said plastic body is of generally cup-shaped configuration having an accordion-pleated sidewall portion extending between said end portions; and said unit additionally includes an extension for said valve means, said extension being mounted on said valve means and projecting therefrom toward said chamber outlet, and said movable portion being adapted to sequentially engage said extension to close said chamber outlet and while in chamber outlet closing engagement therewith, move said extension and said valve means to said depressed dispensing position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
231 words
A dispensing assembly including a metering unit and a mixing unit for use with a source of pressurized fluid having valve means movable from a normal inoperative position to an operable position to dispense pressurized fluid from said source through an outlet opening, said metering unit including Means defining a pressure chamber having an inlet adapted to receive pressurized fluid from said source through said outlet opening upon movement of said valve means to said operable position and a normally open outlet through which pressurized fluid may be discharged from said pressure chamber, said pressure chamber defining means having means movable from a first position to a second position to sequentially effect closing of said chamber outlet and while said chamber outlet is closed operably move said valve to its operative position to dispense pressurized fluid into said pressure chamber, said movable means when returned to said first position permitting return of said valve means to its inoperative position and permitting opening of said chamber outlet to dispense fluid from within said pressure chamber through said chamber outlet, said mixing unit including means defining a material receiving chamber having at least one pressurized fluid inlet and a material and pressurized fluid outlet, and means to mount said mixing unit on said metering unit with said pressure chamber outlet in flow communication with said pressurized fluid inlet of said material receiving chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
231 words
A dispensing assembly including a metering unit and a mixing unit for use with a source of pressurized fluid having valve means movable from a normal inoperative position to an operable position to dispense pressurized fluid from said source through an outlet opening, said metering unit including Means defining a pressure chamber having an inlet adapted to receive pressurized fluid from said source through said outlet opening upon movement of said valve means to said operable position and a normally open outlet through which pressurized fluid may be discharged from said pressure chamber, said pressure chamber defining means having means movable from a first position to a second position to sequentially effect closing of said chamber outlet and while said chamber outlet is closed operably move said valve to its operative position to dispense pressurized fluid into said pressure chamber, said movable means when returned to said first position permitting return of said valve means to its inoperative position and permitting opening of said chamber outlet to dispense fluid from within said pressure chamber through said chamber outlet, said mixing unit including means defining a material receiving chamber having at least one pressurized fluid inlet and a material and pressurized fluid outlet, and means to mount said mixing unit on said metering unit with said pressure chamber outlet in flow communication with said pressurized fluid inlet of said material receiving chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
154 words
A dispensing assembly according to claim 12, wherein said material receiving chamber defining means includes a body member having a through axially extending opening and a flow guide having a conically shaped surface portion received within said opening adjacent one end thereof, the other end of said through opening defining said material and fluid outlet, said through opening and said flow guide having axes disposed in alignment with said material and fluid outlet, wall surfaces of said through opening between said flow guide and said material and fluid outlet cooperating with said conically shaped surface portion of said flow guide to define said material receiving chamber, and said flow guide cooperating with wall surfaces of said through opening adjacent said one end thereof to define said pressurized fluid inlet, said inlet being adapted to define a stream of pressurized gas passing into said material receiving chamber along a line disposed obliquely of said axes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
112 words
A dispensing assembly according to claim 12, wherein said means for mounting said mixing unit on said metering unit includes a frustoconical wall portion defined by said movable means and disposed concentrically of said chamber outlet and a tapered wall portion forming an opening in said mixing chamber defining means and adapted to receive said frustoconical wall portion, at least the frustoconical wall portion of said movable means being formed of polyethylene, at least said tapered wall portion being formed of polypropylene, said tapered wall portion and said frustroconical wall portion being disposed in axial alignment and each being inclined at an angle of about 7* with respect to the axes thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
125 words
A dispenser assembly according to claim 12, wherein said source is an aerosol dispenser having said valve means mounted centrally on one end thereof for reciprocation between said inoperative and operative positions, said valve means defining said source outlet, said pressure chamber defining means including a sleeve member having a cylindrical bore opening and a plunger member slidably supported within said bore opening, said plunger member defining said pressure chamber outlet and said movable means, said sleeve member being affixed adjacent one open end thereof to said dispenser about said valve means, and said plunger when slid within said bore opening being movable between said first and second positions along a path of reciprocation in alignment with the path of reciprocation of said valve means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
139 words
A dispensing assembly according to claim 12, wherein said source is an aerosol dispenser having said valve means mounted centrally on one end thereof for reciprocation between said inoperative and operative positions, said valve means defining said source outlet, said pressure chamber defining means incluDing a hollow deformable plastic body mounted on said one end of said dispenser about said valve means, said movable means being formed integrally with said plastic body, and said movable means upon deformation of said plastic body being movable between said first and second positions along a path of reciprocation in alignment with the path of reciprocation of said valve means to sequentially cooperate with said valve means to close said pressure chamber outlet and while said pressure chamber outlet is closed to move said valve means from said inoperative to said operative position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
74 words
A dispensing assembly according to claim 16, wherein said assembly additionally includes manually operable means for deforming said plastic body, said operable means including force transmitting means removably disposed in operable engagement with said movable means, second means operably disposed in engagement with another end of said aerosol dispenser removed from said one end thereof, and means operable to move said force transmitting means towards said second means, whereby said movable means is reciprocated.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
95 words
A dispensing assembly according to claim 16, wherein said mixing unit includes bearing means, and said assembly additionally includes manually operable means for deforming said plastic body, said manually operable means including force transmitting means removably disposed in engagement with said bearing means, second means operably disposed in engagement with another end of said aerosol dispenser removed from said one end thereof, and third means operable to move said force transmitting means towards said second means, whereby said bearing means and thus said mixing unit is moved towards said dispenser to deform said plastic body.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
A dispensing assembly according to claim 18, wherein said assembly additionally includes motor means and means to operably connect said motor means to said third means, said connecting means being adapted to convert continuous operation of said motor means into cyclic operation of said third means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
151 words
A dispensing assembly according to claim 16, wherein said assembly additionally includes manually operable means for deforming said plastic body, said manually operable means including in combination: a first mounting means adapted to operably engage another end of said aerosol dispenser removed from said one end thereof, a second mounting means adapted to operably engage said dispenser intermediate said ends thereof, a member having first and second end portions and a pair of interconnecting leg portions, said first member end portion being restrained by said first mounting means and said pair of interconnecting portions being restrained by said second mounting means, a force transmitting means adapted to operably engage a bearing surface on one of said mixing and metering units, said force transmitting means being supported by said member second end portion for pivotable movement towards said bearing surface, and a manually operable handle member carried on said force transmitting means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
199 words
A dispensing assembly according to claim 12, wherein said source is an aerosol dispenser having said valve means mounted centrally on one end thereof for reciprocation between said inoperative and operative positions, said valve means defining said source outlet, said pressure chamber defining means including a generally cup-shaped plastic member having first and second end portions and a sidewall portion joining said end portions, said first end portion being mounted on said end of said dispenser about said valve means, said second end portion defining said movable means and a deformable web portion joining said movable means to said sidewall portion, said chamber outlet being disposed in said movable means, and said assembly additionally includes an extension for said valve means, said extension being mounted on said valve means and projecting therefrom towards said chamber outlet, and said movable means upon deformation of said web portion beiNg movable between said first and second positions along a path of reciprocation in alignment with the path of reciprocation of said valve means to sequentially engage said extension to close said chamber outlet and while in outlet closing engagement therewith, move said extension and said valve means to said depressed dispensing position.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
182 words
An assembly according to claim 12, wherein said source is an aerosol dispenser having said valve means mounted centrally on one end thereof for reciprocation between said inoperative and said operative positions, said valve means defining said source outlet, said pressure chamber defining means including a generally cup-shaped plastic member having first and second end portions and an accordion-shaped sidewall portion joining said end portions, said first end portion being mounted on said end of said dispenser about said valve means, said second end portion defining said movable means, said chamber outlet being disposed in said movable means; and said assembly additionally including an extension for said valve means, said extension being mounted on said valve means and projecting therefrom toward said chamber outlet, and said sidewall portion being movable between said first and second positions along a path of reciprocation in alignment with the path of reciprocation of said valve means to sequentially engage said extension to close said chamber outlet and while in chamber outlet closing engagement therewith, move said extension and said valve means to said depressed dispensing position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
105 words
An assembly according to claim 13, wherein said movable means defines said pressure chamber outlet, said body member of said mixing unit is mounted on said movable means, and disc means are disposed within said through opening intermediate said flow guide and said one end thereof, said disc means being peripherally sealed with respect to said through opening and having a frustoconical portion disposed concentrically of said through opening, and said frustoconical portion being received within said pressure chamber outlet in sealing engagement with the bounding walls thereof and being apertured to define a gas passageway between said pressure chamber outlet and said through opening.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
249 words
A method of dispensing a predetermined quantity of powdered material in a fluidizing stream of pressurized gas, wherein the pressurized gas occupies a predetermined volume at atmospheric pressure, including the steps of providing a source of pressurized gas having value means movable between normal inoperative and operative positions to selectively dispense pressurized gas at a known pressure therefrom; providing means defining a fluidizing chamber having said predetermined quantity of powdered material disposed therein, said fluidizing chamber having an inlet opening and an outlet opening; providing means defining a metering chamber having an inlet and an outlet, the volume of said metering chamber being sufficient to accommodate a volume of gas at said known pressure which when expanded to atmospheric pressure corresponds to said predetermined volume; closing said metering chamber outlet; moving said valve means from said inoperative position to said operative position to dispense gas from said source into said metering chamber through said chamber inlet; maintaining said valve means in operative position at least until flow of gas into said metering chamber substantially ceases due to substantial equalization of the pressure of gas within said metering chamber with respect to said known pressure; returning said valve means inoperative position; opening said metering chamber outlet and directing pressurized gas passing therethrough from said metering chamber into said fluidizing chamber through said chamber inlet opening to fluidize said predetermined quantity of powered material and expel said fluidized material through said chamber outlet opening in a fluidizing stream of pressurized gas.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
249 words
A method of dispensing a predetermined quantity of powdered material in a fluidizing stream of pressurized gas, wherein the pressurized gas occupies a predetermined volume at atmospheric pressure, including the steps of providing a source of pressurized gas having value means movable between normal inoperative and operative positions to selectively dispense pressurized gas at a known pressure therefrom; providing means defining a fluidizing chamber having said predetermined quantity of powdered material disposed therein, said fluidizing chamber having an inlet opening and an outlet opening; providing means defining a metering chamber having an inlet and an outlet, the volume of said metering chamber being sufficient to accommodate a volume of gas at said known pressure which when expanded to atmospheric pressure corresponds to said predetermined volume; closing said metering chamber outlet; moving said valve means from said inoperative position to said operative position to dispense gas from said source into said metering chamber through said chamber inlet; maintaining said valve means in operative position at least until flow of gas into said metering chamber substantially ceases due to substantial equalization of the pressure of gas within said metering chamber with respect to said known pressure; returning said valve means inoperative position; opening said metering chamber outlet and directing pressurized gas passing therethrough from said metering chamber into said fluidizing chamber through said chamber inlet opening to fluidize said predetermined quantity of powered material and expel said fluidized material through said chamber outlet opening in a fluidizing stream of pressurized gas.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3198404A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-12 | 1975-01-11 | 1975-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-12 | 1979-01-11 | 1979-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-12 | 1983-01-11 | 1983-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |