This invention relates to an overmolded tricuspid valve, which is inserted into the throat of a liquid container, to prevent liquid from leaking from the container during transport and storage of the container. Further, this invention relates to an overmolded tricuspid valve which may be opened to permit liquid to flow therefrom by gravity when the container is inverted. Additionally, this invention relates to an overmolded tricuspid valve which has fewer components than most prior art container valves.
Applicant has received several patents relating to dosing and/or dispensing systems, such as: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,945,432; 6,945,433; 6,986,433; 7,832,599; 7,841,492; 8,066,157; and 8,220,665, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto to complete this disclosure if necessary.
In most of the above patents, a throat plug assembly was inserted into the throat of a liquid container to prevent liquid from flowing from the container when the container was shipped or stowed. The throat plug assemblies of Applicant's patents set forth above performed in an excellent manner and were commercially successful. However, the throat plugs of Applicant's previous patents were comprised of several parts resulting in increased costs to produce the same. Additionally, some of Applicant's previous throat plug assemblies were not completely recyclable.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
A normally closed overmolded tricuspid valve is provided for use in the throat of a liquid container. When the container is being shipped or stored, the valve of this invention prevents liquid from leaking from the container. When the container is inverted and being used with a dispensing and/or dosing apparatus, the normally closed valve prevents liquid from flowing downwardly therethrough to the dispensing and/or dosing apparatus. When the valve is selectively subjected to an upward tearing force by a lance of the dispensing and/or dosing apparatus, the valve is opened to permit liquid to flow from the container to the dispensing and/or dosing apparatus. When the upward tearing force is discontinued, the valve closes.
It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a valve for a liquid container which is comprised of fewer components than prior art container valves.
A further object of the invention is to provide an overmolded tricuspid valve for a liquid container.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an overmolded tricuspid valve for a liquid container for supplying liquid to a dispensing and/or dosing apparatus.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an overmolded tricuspid valve which is completely recyclable.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an overmolded tricuspid valve which is efficient in operation.
These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.
Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.
The numeral 10 refers to a conventional container such as a bottle or the like which is used for transporting, storing, dispensing and/or dosing liquids therefrom.
The numeral 16 refers to the valve of this invention which is inserted into the throat portion 12. Valve 16 seals the throat portion 12. When the container 10 is in the upright transport position or storage position of
The valve 16 will be described in detail as being in the position of
The numeral 40 refers to the overmolded portion of valve 16. Overmolded portion 40 includes a cylindrical wall 42 which embraces the outer side of upper cylindrical wall 22. Overmolded portion 40 also includes a portion 44 which embraces lip 28. Overmolded portion 40 further includes a cylindrical wall 46 which extends downwardly from the inner end of portion 44. As seen, the lower end of wall 46 is positioned in the recessed portion 38 at the inner side of upper cylindrical wall 22. Wall 46 has an upper end 48 and a lower end 49.
Upper cylindrical wall 22 has a plurality of radially spaced-apart openings 50 formed therein so that overmolding passes from wall 46, through opening 50 and into wall 42, to securely attach the overmolded portion 40 to the substrate member 20.
The overmolded portion 40 includes 3 flexible cuspids 52 which are molded together. Each of the cuspids 52 is generally triangular in plan view. Each of the cuspids 52 has a semi-circular outer end 53 which is molded to the inside of wall 46. The outer end 53 of each of the cuspids 52 extends downwardly along wall 46. Each of the cuspids 52 have a horizontally disposed lower end 54 which extends inwardly from the lower end of the wall 46. Each of the cuspids 52 have a side edge 56 which extends downwardly from the upper end of wall 46 to lower end 54 of the cuspid 52. The side edges 56 of the cuspids 52 are molded together. The lower ends 54 of the cuspids 52 are molded together. The overmolded resin could be any resin that is soft enough to create a seal and form a valve such as metallocene, TPV, TPU or TPE.
Thus, when installed in the throat 12 of an upright container 10, the valve 16 prevents the flow of liquid outwardly from the container 10. When the container 10 is inverted as seen in
Thus, it can be seen that a novel overmolded tricuspid valve has been provided for a liquid container which is comprised of fewer parts than those of the prior art.
Thus, it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.
Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.
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