Patent Application
20130341366
This invention relates to discharge devices.
The number of consumers who purchase liquid goods, such as detergent, wine, and other consumables, in bulk has continued to increase over the past decade. A typical detergent container might contain approximately 2 L of liquid detergent. A typical wine bottle might contain approximately 750 mL. To reduce the cost to consumers related to packaging, marketers of liquids such as detergents and wine are increasing their offerings of larger sizes of containers for such fluids. As the containers become larger, they tend to become more and more difficult to pour because the person dispensing the liquid must have adequate wrist strength to controllably pour the liquid. To overcome these difficulties, marketers now offer to consumers containers having press tap discharge devices that allow the consumers to dispense fluid without having to lift the container. It is now not uncommon to see detergents, wine, cooking oils, and other bulk liquids packaged in containers having press tap discharge devices.
Press tap discharge devices must have some sort of valve that can be opened and closed positively. It is particularly important for the press tap discharge devices to be able to close tightly, so that no leakage through the valve occurs. A leaky valve can cause many problems including drips that might permanently stain an underlying material such as a granite countertop or carpeted floor or simply result in spillage of an expensive product such as a fine wine or high quality detergent composition. Further, a leaky valve can result in a pathway for oxygen to enter the container and oxidize the contents thereof. Oxidation can cause a wine to spoil. To ensure that these adverse effects do not occur, marketers attempt to provide tightly closing valves.
One difficulty that can occur with a tightly closed valve is that the force the consumer must apply to open the valve can be greater than desired. For instance, the press tap discharge device employed in large containers of TIDE liquid laundry detergent, marketed by The Procter & Gamble Co., employs a flexible bulb that is pressed to open the valve. If the bulb is relatively stiff, and hence capable of requiring a high force to open the valve, it can be difficult for consumers to open the valve. This is particularly true for consumers who have limited finger strength, perhaps due to arthritis, aging, or other physical challenge. With this limitation in mind, there is a continuing unaddressed need for a press tap discharge device that can provide for positive closure but it also easy for consumers to open.
A discharge device comprising: a conduit defining a closed channel for flow; a valve housing in fluid communication with the conduit wherein the valve housing contains a sealing member slideably engaged within the valve housing; an actuating lever connected about a fulcrum, the fulcrum connected to the conduit, the actuating lever operably engaged with the sealing member; and a resilient member operably engaged with the actuating lever and biasing the actuating lever to maintain the sealing member to be in a closed position.
If a finger support section 60 is provided, the consumer can activate the discharge device 10 squeezing between her thumb and index finger the actuating lever 30 and the finger support section 60. The consumer can make the squeeze with her thumb on the top of the actuating lever and the side of her index finger anchored in the finger support section 60. Alternatively, the consumer can make the squeeze with her thumb on the top of the actuating lever 30 and the pad on the tip of her index finger anchored in the finger support section 60. Alternatively, the consumer can make the squeeze with her thumb anchored in the finger support section 60 and use the pad one of her other fingers, such as her index finger to push on the actuating lever 30. By having the consumer squeeze to actuate the actuating lever 30, the net reaction force on the press tap discharge device 10 can be nil or near zero. This can help reduce the tendency for tipping of the container to which the discharge device 10 is connected.
The press tap discharge device 10 can be attached to a container. The discharge device 10 can comprise a connector that is operably engageable with a container, the connector being by way of non-limiting example a threaded connector or a snap-in connector. The discharge device can comprise a conduit 20. The conduit 20 can be in fluid communication with the connector. The conduit 20 can define a closed channel for flow. The flow can be that of a liquid, for example, a liquid laundry detergent, wine, cooking oil, or other similar. The conduit 20 can be sized and dimensioned to provide for flow of a viscous liquid. The conduit 20 can have an inner diameter between about 1 mm and about 20 mm. In use, the consumer can actuate the actuating lever 30 which permits flow from the container to exit out an outlet of the discharge device 10.
The discharge device 10 can have an actuating lever 30 that is connected about a fulcrum 40. The fulcrum 40 can be connected to the conduit 20. The actuating lever 30 can provide mechanical advantage to the consumer when she opens the discharge device 10. It can be convenient to have the location where the consumer presses on the actuating lever to be further away from the fulcrum 40 than where the actuating lever drives opening and closing of the discharge device. Arranged as such, the consumer gains mechanical advantage towards opening and closing the discharge device. It can be advantageous to have the fulcrum connected to the conduit 20 to provide for some degree of rigidity and security to the mechanical interaction between the actuating lever 30 and resilient member and/or stem within the valve housing 50. The actuating lever 30 could be connected to some other element, perhaps a frame that holds a container to which the discharge device 10 is attached. However, such an arrangement might provide for a competent interaction between the actuating lever 30 and components that interact with the actuating lever 30 to open and close the discharge device 10.
As shown in
As part of the discharge device 10, a valve housing 50 can be in fluid communication with the conduit 20. The valve housing 50 can contain a sealing member slideably engaged within the valve housing 50. The actuating lever 30 can be operably engaged with a sealing member, the sealing member being within the valve housing 50. Within the valve housing 50 can be the mechanism that opens and closes the discharge device 10. In use, the consumer actuates the actuating lever 30 to drive movement within the valve housing 50 to open the discharge device 10. Releasing the actuating lever 30 allows the mechanism within the valve housing 50 to close.
A cross section of the discharge device 10 shown in
The fulcrum 40 can be connected to the conduit 20. The fulcrum 40 can be a small round cylinder of steel having a diameter of about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm. As shown in
The fulcrum 40 can be a bendable material, such as neoprene, rubber, or like material, that connects the actuating lever 30 with the conduit 20, the bendable material being able to restrain the end of the fulcrum 40 from moving away from the conduit 20. Alternatively, the actuating lever 30 can be provided with a hook or hooks that operably engage with the connector 20, the hook(s) providing for rotational movement about the fulcrum 40.
In such an arrangement, the fulcrum 40 can be attached to the conduit 20 via an adhesive or be bonded to the fulcrum 40. To gain the maximum mechanical advantage, the tip 140 of the actuating lever 30 can be located as far away as practical from the fulcrum 40.
The fulcrum 40 can be provided by a separate part attached to the conduit 20. The actuating lever 30 can be rotatably mounted to the fulcrum 40 so that the actuating lever 30 can rotate about the fulcrum 40 as the tip 140 of the actuating lever 30 moves downwardly.
The conduit 20 can be a pipe through which the liquid from the container flows as it travels from the container to the valve housing 50 and to the outlet 90 from the valve housing 50. The conduit 20 can be made of plastic, such as nylon, polyethylene, or polypropylene, or metal, such as copper or stainless steel. The conduit 20 need only have sufficient durability to with stand the bending moment that might be applied to the conduit 20 during use or due to incidental contact with the conduit during storage and/or transport and the stress applied to the conduit 20 when the consumer actuates the actuating lever 30. The conduit 20 can be chemically compatible with the fluid that is to be dispensed. By chemically compatible it is meant that the liquid passing through the conduit 20 does not significantly degrade or react with the conduit 20. For liquids such as cooking oil, wine, or other ingestible goods, the conduit 20 can be food safe. The conduit 20 can be in fluid communication with the valve housing 50.
The conduit 20 and the valve housing 50 can be made to be in fluid communication via a threaded connection, a solvent weld, compression fitting, or they can be integral with one another in that they are molded as a single piece of plastic or metal or such that part of the conduit 20 and part of the valve housing 50 are formed from a single piece of plastic or metal, as might occur if halves of the structures are formed and then snapped, glued, or welded together.
A resilient member 120 can be operably engaged with a sealing member 130. The resilient member 120 can be operably engaged with the sealing member 130 by a stem 100 contained within the valve housing 50. As shown in
The resilient member 120 can be operably engaged with the actuating lever 30 and bias the actuating lever 30 to be in a closed position. The bias can be an active force applied by the resilient member 120 upwards onto the actuating lever, for instance if the actuating lever is restrained in some manner from upward movement in some manner. The bias can be a neutral bias in which the actuating lever 30 just rests on the resilient member 120 and the only force applied to the resilient member 120 is that from part of the weight of the actuating lever 30. The actuating lever 30 can be in a closed position, as shown in
Referring to
When pressure is applied to the resilient member 120, for instance by applying the force to the actuating lever 30, the actuating lever 30 can rotate about the fulcrum 40, which deforms inwardly the resilient member 120, and moves the stem 100 along an axis 44 to unseat the sealing bead 122 from the valve housing 50. The valve housing 50 can have a conical seating 52. When the resilient member 120 is depressed, liquid can flow through the conduit 20 into the valve housing 50, around the stem 100 and sealing member 130 and through the outlet 90.
If needed, a valve guide 110 can be provided to provide for straight-line movement of the stem 100. The valve guide 110 can be secured to the interior of the valve housing 50. A smaller and more streamlined the valve guide 110 can provide for a greater flow rate through the outlet 90.
The stem 100 can form a mechanical connection between the resilient member 120 and the sealing member 130 such that the resilient member 120 and the sealing member 130 are operably engaged with one another. The stem 100 can be formed of a plastic material or a metal material. The stem 100 can have a first end 102 and a second end 104 opposite the first end 102. The first end 102 can be adjacent the resilient member 120 and protrude downwardly from the resilient member 120 to the sealing member 130. The first end 102 of the stem 100 can be seated in the resilient member 120. The second end 104 can be seated, affixed to, or an integral part with the sealing member 130. When the discharge device 10 is in a closed position, the stem 100 can be in tension. The tensile force in the stem 100 can be generated by the resilient member 120 exerting an upward force on the stem 100 and the sealing member 130 being restrained from upward movement by the conical seating 52.
In an alternative embodiment in which the stem 100 is connected to the actuating lever 30, either directly or indirectly, the resilient member 120 can exert an upward force on the actuating lever 30 which in turn transfers that force towards the location of connection of the stem 100 with the actuating lever 30. That can generate the tensile force in the stem 100 which pulls in the sealing member 130.
The sealing member 130 seals the outlet 90 of the valve housing 50 and provides for controllable repetitive opening and closing of the discharge device 10. The sealing member 130 can be conically shaped, frusto-conically shaped, or shaped otherwise such that the sealing member 130 conformably fits within a conical seating 52 provided as part of the valve housing 50. The outer edge of the sealing member 130 can fit flush with the conical seating 52 when the discharge device 10 is in a closed position. The sealing member 130 can be made of a plastic material such as polypropylene, nylon, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or other similarly formable plastic material.
When the resilient member 120 is depressed, liquid is released from the outlet 90. Specifically, when the resilient member 120 is depressed, the resilient member can act to move the stem 100 that is movable along axis 44 so that the outlet 90 is opened. The stem 100 can be restrained from lateral movement by the valve guide 110. A rebound force provided by the resilient member 120 can act on the stem 100 to pull up the sealing member 130 to close the outlet 90.
The resilient member 120 can have a hollow cylindrical housing for holding part of the stem 100. The stem 100 can have its first end 102 seated in the resilient member 120 and its second end 104 engaged with the sealing member 130. The sealing member 130 provides for controlling repetitive opening and closing of the discharge device 10. The sealing member 130 and stem 100 can be an integrally formed with one another or can be two distinct parts that are connected to one another with via an adhesive, solvent weld, or other technique for connecting two parts.
The resilient member 120 can be a hollow flexible press bulb operatively engaged with the stem 100, as shown in
The resilient member 120 can be a spring or an elastomeric polymeric material. A spring or elastomeric polymeric material might be practical if the resilient member is located away from the stem 100. Such a spring or elastomeric polymeric material can be mounted between the actuating lever 30 and one of the conduit 20 or the finger support section 60, if present.
The resilient member 120 can be connected to the valve housing 50. In one embodiment, the resilient member 120 is a hollow hemisphere shape of pliable material. The resilient member 120 can be partially embedded in the valve housing 50 in a channel formed therein, as shown in
The actuating lever 30 can be connected about the fulcrum 40. The actuating lever can be formed from any material that can provided in a shape having sufficient rigidity to transfer force from the user's finger to the resilient member 120 without bending beyond the yield point of the material or buckling. The actuating lever 30 can provide for a mechanical advantage factor greater than about 1.1. The actuating lever 30 can provide for a mechanical advantage factor greater than about 1.2. The actuating lever 30 can provide for a mechanical advantage factor greater than about 1.5. The actuating lever 30 can provide for a mechanical advantage factor greater than about 2.0. The mechanical advantage can be quantified as the ratio between the distance from the end of the actuating lever to the fulcrum 40 to the distance between the location where the actuating lever 30 contacts the resilient member 120 and the fulcrum 40.
The actuating lever 30 can extend from the fulcrum 40 to or past the resilient member 120. If the actuating lever 30 only extends to the resilient member 120, then there may be no mechanical advantage garnered. Even if no mechanical advantage is garnered, the actuating lever 30 may still help the consumer depress the resilient member 120 since the actuating lever 30 can present a large bearing surface upon which the consumer can press. Having a large bearing surface can be beneficial in that for a particular force required to open the discharge device 10 the stress in the consumers finger can be lower.
The actuating lever 30 can have a recess 70 that fits around one or more of parts of the conduit 20, part of the valve housing 50, or part of the finger support section 60. In operation, force is applied by the user to the actuating lever 30 somewhere along the actuating lever 30 to rotate the actuating lever 30 about the fulcrum 40. Applying force near the tip 140 can provide for greater mechanical advantage for actuating the actuating lever 30 and moving the resilient member 120 to open the outlet 90. The actuating lever 30 can have a substantially flat top surface 33 to which the user can apply force. The actuating lever 30 can comprise a finger indent 35 sized and dimensioned to conformably fit with an adult human finger. The finger indent 35 can be oriented on a side of the actuating lever 30 oriented away from the sealing member 130.
The actuating lever 30 can be provided with a pair of sidewalls 37 that extend downwardly from the lateral edges of the top surface 33 of the actuating lever 30. The sidewalls 37 can extend downwardly in the direction of movement of actuating lever 30 so as to provide a shield extends down from the top surface 33 to cover at least part of the one or more of the conduit 20, the valve housing 50, and/or finger support section 60. Together, the top surface 33 and sidewalls 37 provide for a recess 70 into which least part of the one or more of the conduit 20, the valve housing 50, and/or finger support section 60 can be nested. The finger support section 60 can be partially nested in the recess 70 in the actuating lever 30 when the sealing member 130 is in an open position. The sidewalls 37 can be formed of the same material as the actuating lever 30 and be formed integrally therewith.
As shown in
The discharge device 10 can comprise a finger support section 60. The finger support section 60 can extend from the valve housing 50. The finger support 60 section can be sized and dimensioned to substantially conform with an adult human index finger lengthwise. In use, the user can anchor the side of her index finger lengthwise, for example along the side or bottom of the length of her index finger, with the finger support section 60 and depress the actuating lever 30 with her thumb. The finger support section 60 can provide support for the user's finger as she makes a pinching movement to open the outlet 90. The reaction force from the finger support section 60 can be a direction opposite to the direction the user applies force to open the outlet 90. As such, little or no net force is applied to the discharge device 10. Without a finger support section 60, force applied by the user to depress the actuating lever could create a torque in the conduit 20, which could break or crack the conduit or could break components upstream from the conduit 20. Further, without a finger support section 60, force applied by the user to depress the actuating lever could create a torque that might tip the container to which the discharge device is attached.
As shown in
Alternative embodiments of the discharge device 10 are contemplated. For instance, the resilient member 120 need not drive movement of the stem 100. For instance, as shown in
The resilient member 120 can be a hollow flexible press bulb or a block of resilient material such as rubber, rubber foam, solid elastomer, or other like material. If mechanical advantage for the actuating lever 30 is desired, the resilient member 120 can be positioned between tip 140 of the actuating lever 30 and the stem 100 of the valve housing 50. The resilient member 120 can be mounted to the finger support section in a channel if, for example, the resilient member is a hollow hemispherical button.
The resilient member 120 can be connected to the conduit 20, as shown in
Movement of the sealing member 130 can be provided for by a stem that connects the sealing member 130 with the actuating lever 30, with an appropriate seal, for instance by an O-ring 105, provided between the stem 100 and the valve housing 50 proximal where the stem 100 exits the valve housing 50. The resilient member 120 can be a vented hollow flexible press bulb or a block of resilient material such as rubber, rubber foam, solid elastomer, or other like material. If mechanical advantage for the actuating lever 30 is desired, the resilient member 120 can be positioned between tip 140 of the actuating lever 30 and the stem 100 of the valve housing 50.
The discharge device 10 can be attached to a container 300, as shown in
The discharge device 10 can be attached to a container 300, as shown in
A cross sectional view of a discharge device 10 is shown in
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”
Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
