Dispensing valve

Abstract

A dispenser valve assembly for controlling the discharge of fluid contents from a container, the container having a lid with an opening in the lid; the valve assembly comprising a valve seat and a flexible sheet, the flexible sheet having an aperture therein, the flexible sheet having an inner surface facing the valve seat and an outer surface facing the container lid, the valve seat including: (a) a floor, (b) at least one passageway through the floor for admitting the fluid contents from the container, (c) a projection member having a seating surface that cooperates with the aperture in the sheet to provide a first valve, wherein the seating surface seals the aperture and thereby closes the first valve when the contents of the container is not under pressure, and (d) at least one retainer for holding a peripheral portion of the flexible sheet in contact with the lid such that a peripheral portion of the sheet is retained in contact with the lid and another peripheral portion of the sheet is not retained in contact with the lid to provide a second valve and the portion of the sheet not retained in contact with the lid, contacts the lid and closes the second valve when the contents of the container is under pressure; wherein by applying pressure to the inner surface of the sheet, the sheet is displaced from the seating surface and the contents of the container can be dispensed through the aperture in the flexible sheet, and when the pressure on the inner surface of the sheet is less than the pressure on the outer surface, the container is vented by air that passes through the opening in the lid, between the lid and the peripheral portions of the sheet not retained in contact with the lid, and into the container through the at least one passageway in the floor of the valve seat.

Description

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to a dispensing valve for dispensing a fluid material from a container, and more particularly to a dispensing valve that accommodates in-venting of a second fluid material (e.g., ambient air).

A variety of dispensing systems have been developed for dispensing liquid or flowable products, such as pharmaceutical fluids and creams, lubricating fluids and pastes, food products, and personal care products such as soap, from a container.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,951,295 to Gaus et al., discloses a flow control element adapted for operatively cooperating with a housing to discharge a fluid material product through a discharge opening in the housing while simultaneously venting ambient air from the exterior into the housing interior.

Accordingly, there is a need for a cost-efficient dispensing system using a first valve for dispensing liquid product and a second valve which accommodates in-venting of ambient air to the container.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the invention is a dispensing valve that comprises a flexible sheet having an aperture therein, and a valve seat that includes a projection that provides a seating surface that cooperates with the aperture in the flexible sheet to seal it. Another embodiment of the invention is a dispenser valve as described previously that can be assembled with a container lid, and more particularly can be assembled with a snap-fit.

In one embodiment, the valve seat includes a floor having at least one passageway in the floor through which a fluid material can pass. In another embodiment, the valve seat includes a floor, a peripheral rim extending from the floor, and at least one passageway in the floor of the valve seat.

In yet another embodiment, the valve seat includes at least one retaining element which interfaces with the flexible disc and holds the disc in contact with the container lid over a portion of the peripheral edge of the disc.

In still another embodiment of the disclosure, the lid is internally beveled to permit the sheet to flex and unseat and release the contents.

In a more particular embodiment of the disclosure, the assembly includes a first valve to control discharge of a fluid under pressure from the interior of a container and then a second valve to permit the return of a second fluid, such as ambient air, from the exterior of the container through a second valve. The first valve includes a flexible sheet with one or more openings sealingly engaged with a seating surface in the valve seat. The second valve the peripheral portions of the sheet which are free to flex away from the inner surface of the lid to permit flow of the second fluid into the container when the interior pressure is less than that of the exterior, such as during recovery of shape of the container after dispensing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a dispensing system of the disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a side elevation view of the valve disk employed in the dispensing system shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a side elevation view of the valve seat employed in the dispensing system shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D is a side elevation view of the container lid employed in the dispensing system shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1E is a partially-rotated side elevation view of the underside of the container lid employed in the dispensing system shown in FIG. 1D;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the dispensing system of the disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the dispensing system of the disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a side elevation view of the valve disk employed in the dispensing system shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a side elevation view of the valve seat employed in the dispensing system shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D is a cross-section view of the container lid employed in the dispensing system shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3E is a bottom side elevation view of the container lid employed in the dispensing system shown in FIG. 3D;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the dispensing system of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing system of FIG. 3A, illustrating the liquid product flow from the container through the dispensing valve; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing system of FIG. 3A, illustrating the airflow from the exterior through the in-venting valve and into the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the dispensing valve, generally denoted 8 includes a flexible sheet 10 having an aperture 32 therein, and a valve seat 16. In one embodiment, the valve 8 can be designed to be mounted on or within a valve retaining fixture 24 formed in a container lid 14. While the sheet 10 is illustrated as a disc, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other shapes are possible. For example, the sheet 10 could be rectangular or polygonal. Additionally, while the sheet 10 is shown as having a single aperture, embodiments are possible in which the sheet includes a plurality of apertures. The size of the aperture 32 will vary with the material that is dispensed using the valve. For many applications, especially in dispensing foods, the aperture ranges, typically, from about 1 to 5 mm in diameter. In one embodiment, the dispensing valve is used in a dispensing system that can be used in conjunction with a variety of fluid materials, but it is particularly designed for use with liquid or flowable paste-like products. The term “fluid” as used herein includes both fluid materials such as liquids and gases as well as flowable semi-solids such as pastes, gels and creams.

The flexible disc 10 includes an inside surface 11 and an outer surface 13 as shown in FIGS. 1B and 3B. The aperture 32 has an annular inner surface 15. The valve seat 16 includes a floor 29 having a projection or hub 36 that provides a seating surface 25 against which the inner annular surface 15 of the aperture 32 seats to sealingly close the aperture 32. If the valve includes more than one aperture, seating elements analogous to projection 36 having seating surfaces are provided in the seat 16 for each of the apertures. The valve seat 16 further includes one or a plurality of passageways 26 through which the dispensed material enters the valve 8 from the container. Typically, the inlet diameter of passage 26 may range from about 1 to 5 mm and will depend largely upon the nature, e.g. viscosity, of the dispensed product. The passageways 26 are not required to be circular in shape. The shape may be any geometric shape, such as a rectangle (which includes a square), ellipse (which includes a circle), etc.

Sheet materials that are useful in forming the flexible sheet 10 are known in the art. One example of a particularly useful material is a continuously extruded flexible sheet stock. Examples of flexible sheet materials include elastomeric materials, such as nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, polyurethane, polyacrylate, polyisoprene, chloroprene, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, fluorocarbon rubber, ethylene propylene, epichlorohydrin and hydrogenated nitrile rubber.

The flexible disc 10 may be constructed by die cutting a flat stock or molding. The flexible disc 10 is illustrated as having a uniform thickness but it is also envisioned that for certain applications a varying thickness may be advantageous in certain applications (for example, applications requiring varying opening pressures). The aperture in the disc 10 is usually circular, but other shapes are maybe useful but not as convenient to use (i.e., assembly process).

The shape of the hub 36 is such as to engage sealingly the inside surface of the aperture 32. The hub 36 can be a hemispherical as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, but the shape is not critical as long as the hub 36 presents a surface against which the aperture(s) in the disc 10 can seal. Alternative shapes for the hub 36 include but are not limited to beveled, rounded, conical, flat, etc.

The lid 14A, 14B and 14C, respectively may be formed from any conventional plastic or formed metal used in the packaging of liquid products. FIG. 4 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention in which the opening 12 in the lid 14C includes a nozzle 15. In this embodiment, the hub 36C has a more conical shape but this is not a requirement. This embodiment could also be formed using the hemispherical hub shapes 36A and 36B shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, respectively.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the valve 8 is shown inserted in the lid 14 of a container. Such a container typically has a discharge end (for example, opening 12 as shown in FIG. 4) that includes a dispensing end structure which may be a unitary part of the container or a separate closure that is releasably or permanently mounted to the container. The valve seat 16 further comprises a rim 22 extending from the floor 29 at the periphery of the valve seat 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the rim 22 is configured to snap-fit with a compatible fixture 24 on the inside of the lid 14. Other conventional means of retaining the valve 8 in the lid 14 could be used.

When sufficient pressure is applied to the contents of the container, the flexible disc 10 is flexed outwardly at the center toward the opening 12 in the lid 14 of a container (not shown). A wide range of techniques may be used to apply pressure to the container, such as manually “squeezing” the container exterior, or simply inverting the container whereby the fluid head pressure on the interior side of the flexible disc 10 displaces the aperture, etc. When the pressure on the inside surface 11 of the flexible disk 10 exceeds a predetermined magnitude, the disc 10 unseats from the seating surface 25 and allows the contents of the container to flow through the openings 12 and 32.

When pressure is applied, the contents of the container flows through at least one passageway 26 located in the floor 29 of the valve seat 16, deflects the disc 10 away from the seating surface 25 at the inner annular surface 15, flows around the hub 36, through the aperture 32 and out the opening in the lid 12. The direction of liquid product flow from the container is shown by arrows B and C, respectively as illustrated in FIG. 5. Furthermore, the direction of liquid product discharge from the outlet 12 is shown by arrow A. While not bound by a single theory, it is believed that the fluid flow between the disc 10 and the seating surface 25 may decrease or increase in a manner proportional to the displacement between the disc 10 and the seating surface 25.

In use, the container is typically inverted and squeezed to increase the pressure within the container. It is highly desirable that no product will dispense until after the predetermined threshold pressure is exceeded. A predetermined opening pressure for the valve 8 will be a function of the liquid head pressure associated with the column height of the container or other sources of pressure (such as squeezing). Using a ketchup dispenser as an example, in one embodiment the valve may be designed such that the ketchup does not flow from the container when the container is inverted until additional pressure is applied to the container by squeezing. This prevents the ketchup from being inadvertently dispensed on food items when the container is simply inverted and allows the user to position the container over the desired food item before dispensing.

In one embodiment of the disclosure as shown in FIG. 1, the opening 12 in the lid 14A may have an open bevelled surface 20. In FIG. 2, the container lid 14B has a substantially flat surface 18. This flat surface 18 may be easier to clean than the open bevelled surface 20 and may be desirable in certain applications. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the inside surface 30 of the lid around the opening 12 is bevelled to provide a space 33 into which the flexible disc 10 can move outwardly from the seating surface 25 and release the contents of the container. Space 33 is not required in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 because the lid has a larger opening into which the disc 10 can be displaced when the contents is under pressure.

The valve seat 16 can be formed from a rigid plastic material such as a thermoplastic polymer (for example, polypropylene). In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the valve seat 16 is designed with a rim 22 that enables the valve 8 to be assembled via snap-fit with a compatible fixture 24 on the inside of the lid 14A, 14B and 14C, respectively. Other retention features may be utilized to secure the valve seat 16 to the container lid 14A, 14B and 14C, respectively. For example, the valve seat 16 may be fused, adhered, or heat sealed to sealingly engage with inside surface of the lid 14A, 14B and 14C, respectively.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention the valve assembly 8 additionally includes a second valve member for venting the container. In this embodiment, the valve seat 16 also includes at least one retaining element 28 that hold a portion (but not the entirety) of the periphery of the outer surface 13 of the flexible disc 10 in contact with the inside surface of the container lid 14. The retaining element(s) 28 are designed such that when pressure is applied to the disc 10 from inside the container, the periphery of the outside surface is pressed against the lid to form a seal with the seating surface 34 on the inside of the lid. This prevents the contents of the container from passing around the sides of the disc and out the container. Although desirable, it should be noted that the retaining elements 28 are not necessarily required to hold even a majority of the periphery of the disc 10 against the lid provided a peripheral seal is formed when pressure is applied to the inside surface of the disc 10 from the container.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 the retaining elements 28 are rectangular blocks or platforms. In FIG. 3 the elements 28 have a curvilinear design. When the retaining blocks 28 extend for only a portion of the perimeter of the flexible disc 10, air is able to flow into the container when the container is at a lower internal pressure than the external air pressure (for example, when the manual “squeezing” pressure is released the container internal pressure is reduced). The container is vented by exterior air that passes through the opening 12 in the lid 14, between the lid space 33 and the outer surface 13 of the disc 10, thereafter the air passes between the peripheral portions of the disc 10 not retained in contact with the lid 14, through the space or chamber 27 between the flexible disc 10 and the floor 29 of the valve seat 16, and into the container through at least one passageway 26.

The direction of airflow into the passageways 26 is shown by arrows E and F, respectively as illustrated in FIG. 6. Furthermore, the direction of airflow into the container outlet 12 is shown by arrow D. While not bound by a single theory, it is believed that the airflow between the disc 10 and the seating surface 34 (i.e., peripheral portion of the disc 10 retained in contact with the lid 14 by the retaining blocks 28) may decrease or increase in a manner proportional to the displacement between the disc 10 and the seating surface 34.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that if venting is not necessary, for example in the case of a collapsible container (not shown) such as a collapsible tube or sack, the retaining element 28 may extend completely around or around a majority of the perimeter of the valve seat 16 because it is not necessary to permit air to return to the container for sequential dispensing.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the valve assembly is used in a product dispenser and lid. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the valve assembly can be used in other applications. For example, the valve assembly could be used on a cap for a gasoline tank, a transmission housing, etc.

Having described the invention in detail and by reference to the attached figures, it will be apparent that numerous modifications and variations are possible.

Claims

1. A dispenser valve assembly for controlling the discharge of fluid contents from a container, the container having a lid with an opening in the lid; the valve assembly comprising a valve seat and a flexible sheet, the flexible sheet having an aperture therein, the flexible sheet having an inner surface facing the valve seat and an outer surface facing the container lid, the valve seat including: (a) a floor, (b) at least one passageway through the floor for admitting the fluid contents from the container, (c) a projection member having a seating surface that cooperates with the aperture in the sheet to provide a first valve, wherein the seating surface seals the aperture and thereby closes the first valve when the contents of the container is not under pressure, and (d) at least one retainer for holding a peripheral portion of the flexible sheet in contact with the lid such that a peripheral portion of the sheet is retained in contact with the lid and another peripheral portion of the sheet is not retained in contact with the lid to provide a second valve and the portion of the sheet not retained in contact with the lid, contacts the lid and closes the second valve when the contents of the container is under pressure; wherein by applying pressure to the inner surface of the sheet, the sheet is displaced from the seating surface and the contents of the container can be dispensed through the aperture in the flexible sheet, and when the pressure on the inner surface of the sheet is less than the pressure on the outer surface, the container is vented by air that passes through the opening in the lid, between the lid and the peripheral portions of the sheet not retained in contact with the lid, and into the container through the at least one passageway in the floor of the valve seat.

2. The dispenser valve assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet is formed from continuously extruded flexible sheet stock.

3. The dispenser valve assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein the flexible sheet is die cut from the sheet stock.

4. The dispenser valve assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet is a disc.

5. The dispenser valve assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the projection is a hub.

6. The dispenser valve assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the valve seat includes a plurality of retainers.

7. The dispenser valve assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the valve seat includes a plurality of passageways through the floor.

8. The dispenser valve assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein the valve seat further comprises a rim extending from the floor at the periphery of the valve seat.

9. The dispenser valve assembly in accordance with claim 8, wherein the rim is configured to snap-fit with a compatible mounting fixture on the inside of the lid.

10. A dispenser assembly for controlling the discharge of fluid contents from a container comprising: a lid having an opening therein, a dispenser valve assembly for controlling the discharge of the fluid contents from the container; the valve assembly comprising a valve seat and a flexible sheet, the flexible sheet having an aperture therein, the flexible sheet having an inner surface facing the valve seat and an outer surface facing the container lid, the valve seat including: (a) a floor, (b) at least one passageway through the floor for admitting the fluid contents from the container, (c) a projection member having a seating surface that cooperates with the aperture in the sheet to provide a first valve, wherein the seating surface seals the aperture and thereby closes the first valve when the contents of the container is not under pressure, and (d) at least one retainer for holding a peripheral portion of the flexible sheet in contact with the lid such that a peripheral portion of the sheet is retained in contact with the lid and another peripheral portion of the sheet is not retained in contact with the lid to provide a second valve and the portion of the sheet not retained in contact with the lid, contacts the lid and closes the second valve when the contents of the container is under pressure; wherein by applying pressure to the inner surface of the sheet, the sheet is displaced from the seating surface and the contents of the container can be dispensed through the aperture in the flexible sheet, and when the pressure on the inner surface of the sheet is less than the pressure on the outer surface, the container is vented by air that passes through the opening in the lid, between the lid and the peripheral portions of the sheet not retained in contact with the lid, and into the container through the at least one passageway in the floor of the valve seat.

11. The dispenser assembly in accordance with claim 10, wherein the lid includes an inside surface facing the valve assembly and the portion of the lid surrounding the opening in the lid is internally beveled to provide a space into which the flexible sheet can be displaced.

12. The dispenser assembly in accordance with claim 11, wherein the lid further includes a feature to receive said valve assembly.

13. The dispenser assembly in accordance with claim 10, wherein the valve seat includes a plurality of retainers.

14. The dispenser assembly in accordance with claim 10, wherein the valve seat includes a plurality of passageways through the floor.

15. The dispenser assembly in accordance with claim 13, wherein the valve seat further comprises a rim extending from the floor at the periphery of the valve seat.

16. The dispenser assembly in accordance with claim 15, wherein the valve assembly is compatibly configured to snap-fit with the fixture on the inside of the lid.

17. A dispenser comprising: a container for holding fluid contents, a lid having an opening therein, a dispenser valve assembly for controlling the discharge of fluid contents from the container; the valve assembly comprising a valve seat and a flexible sheet, the flexible sheet having an aperture therein, the flexible sheet having an inner surface facing the valve seat and an outer surface facing the container lid, the valve seat including: (a) a floor, (b) at least one passageway through the floor for admitting the fluid contents from the container, (c) a projection member having a seating surface that cooperates with the aperture in the sheet to provide a first valve, wherein the seating surface seals the aperture and thereby closes the first valve when the contents of the container is not under pressure, and (d) at least one retainer for holding a peripheral portion of the flexible sheet in contact with the lid such that a peripheral portion of the sheet is retained in contact with the lid and another peripheral portion of the sheet is not retained in contact with the lid to provide a second valve and the portion of the sheet not retained in contact with the lid, contacts the lid and closes the second valve when the contents of the container is under pressure; wherein by applying pressure to the inner surface of the sheet, the sheet is displaced from the seating surface and the contents of the container can be dispensed through the aperture in the flexible sheet, and when the pressure on the inner surface of the sheet is less than the pressure on the outer surface, the container is vented by air that passes through the opening in the lid, between the lid and the peripheral portions of the sheet not retained in contact with the lid, and into the container through the at least one passageway in the floor of the valve seat.

18. The dispenser in accordance with claim 17, wherein the valve seat includes a plurality of retainers.

19. The dispenser in accordance with claim 17, wherein the valve seat includes a plurality of passageways through the floor.

20. The dispenser in accordance with claim 18, wherein the valve seat further comprises a rim extending from the floor at the periphery of the valve seat.

21. The dispenser in accordance with claim 17, wherein the lid includes an inside surface facing the valve assembly and the portion of the lid surrounding the opening in the lid is internally beveled to provide a space into which the flexible sheet can be displaced.

22. The dispenser in accordance with claim 21, wherein the lid further includes a feature to receive said valve assembly.

23. The dispenser in accordance with claim 22, wherein the valve assembly is compatibly configured to snap-fit with the fixture on the inside of the lid.

24. A dispenser valve assembly for controlling the discharge of fluid contents from a container, the container having a lid with an opening in the lid; the valve assembly comprising a valve seat and a flexible sheet, the flexible sheet having an aperture therein, the flexible sheet having an inner surface facing the valve seat and an outer surface facing the container lid, the valve seat including: (a) a floor, (b) at least one passageway through the floor for admitting the fluid contents from the container, (c) a projection member having a seating surface that cooperates with the aperture in the sheet to provide a first valve, wherein the seating surface seals the aperture and thereby closes the first valve when the contents of the container is not under pressure, and (d) at least one retainer for retaining the entire periphery of the sheet in contact with the lid; wherein by applying pressure to the inner surface of the sheet, the sheet is displaced from the seating surface and the contents of the container can be dispensed through the aperture in the flexible sheet.

25. A valve assembly for controlling the discharge of fluid contents from a container, the container having a housing for a valve assembly with an opening in the housing; the valve assembly comprising a valve seat and a flexible sheet, said flexible sheet having an aperture therein, an inner surface facing the valve seat and an outer surface facing the valve housing, the valve seat including: (a) a floor, (b) at least one passageway through the floor for admitting the fluid contents from the container, (c) a projection member having a seating surface that cooperates with the aperture in the sheet to provide a first valve, wherein the seating surface seals the aperture and thereby closes the first valve when the contents of the container is not under pressure, and (d) at least one retainer for holding a peripheral portion of the flexible sheet in contact with the housing such that a peripheral portion of the sheet is retained in contact with the housing and another peripheral portion of the sheet is not retained in contact with the housing to provide a second valve and the portion of the sheet not retained in contact with the housing, contacts the housing and closes the second valve when the contents of the container is under pressure; wherein by applying pressure to the inner surface of the sheet, the sheet is displaced from the seating surface and the contents of the container can be dispensed through the aperture in the flexible sheet, and when the pressure on the inner surface of the sheet is less than the pressure on the outer surface, the container is vented by air that passes through the opening in the housing, between the housing and the peripheral portions of the sheet not retained in contact with the housing, and into the container through the at least one passageway in the floor of the valve seat.