US20060180616A1 - Multiple side-feeding aerosol valve assembly - Google Patents
Multiple side-feeding aerosol valve assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060180616A1 US20060180616A1 US11/398,271 US39827106A US2006180616A1 US 20060180616 A1 US20060180616 A1 US 20060180616A1 US 39827106 A US39827106 A US 39827106A US 2006180616 A1 US2006180616 A1 US 2006180616A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- valve assembly
- container
- actuating mechanism
- opening
- sprayable material
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
- B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
- B65D83/44—Valves specially adapted therefor; Regulating devices
- B65D83/48—Lift valves, e.g. operated by push action
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
- B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
- B65D83/32—Dip-tubes
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
- B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
- B65D83/75—Aerosol containers not provided for in groups B65D83/16 - B65D83/74
- B65D83/752—Aerosol containers not provided for in groups B65D83/16 - B65D83/74 characterised by the use of specific products or propellants
Definitions
- This invention relates to valve assemblies for use in an aerosol spray can that is capable of spraying viscous materials or materials with large particulates with increased atomization and without clogging or packing like traditional aerosol spray cans designed for spraying texture materials.
- heavy and particulate materials may include exterior stucco, heavy sand finishes, drywall and acoustic ceiling patching materials, fire suppressant materials, adhesive and bonding materials, and even culinary sauces.
- a traditional aerosol spray can may be filled with these heavy and particulate materials for spraying.
- the material to be dispensed must pass through an orifice that is normally sealed off (with a seal or gasket, e.g.) in the unactuated position. When the actuator is depressed, the orifice is exposed to allow the material to pass through.
- a seal or gasket e.g.
- heavy and particulate materials they tend to clog up the valve assemblies (e.g., by clogging up or sticking to the seal, the orifice, and/or the area therebetween) and render the aerosol spray cans inoperative. Constant operation of these aerosol spray cans in spraying heavy and particulate materials is not possible due to the inconsistent ability of these traditional valve assemblies to dispense these materials without clogging.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,975 issued to Stern et al., discloses an aerosol spray texturing device that is comprised of a container, a nozzle, a valve assembly, and an outlet.
- the valve assembly in the '975 patent is located in the upper section of the container near the nozzle.
- the nozzle tube of the device in the '975 patent may be configured to spray texture materials, the device in the '975 patent still has the problem of clogging or packing of the valve assembly by the particulates contained in the texture material for spraying, especially if the particulates are large, like those found in stucco or other heavy and particulate materials mentioned above.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,011 issued to the present Applicant, discloses a spray apparatus for spraying a texture material through a nozzle. Although sufficient for its intended purpose, this apparatus also cannot spray texture materials having large particulates, such as stucco, because the particulates clog up the valve opening within the spray apparatus.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a valve assembly for use in an aerosol spray can capable of spraying viscous materials or materials with large particulates without clogging or packing like traditional aerosol spray cans designed for spraying texture materials.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive and economical means for matching surface texture of a repaired or patched surface area on a drywall panel, acoustic ceiling, or stucco-covered surface.
- Another object of the present invention is to improve the appearance of patched or repaired areas on a textured surface by employing a spray-on hardenable texture material that covers the repaired or patched area and visually assumes the surface texture of the surrounding patched or repaired surface.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-held dispensing unit containing a pressurized texture surface material for spray-on and direct application of the material in a liquid or semi-liquid form onto a repaired or patched area so that the surrounding patched or repaired surface will be visually and mechanically matched.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a valve assembly for use in an aerosol spray can capable of spraying highly-viscous materials, such as fire suppressant materials, adhesive and bonding materials, and culinary sauces, as well as colored agents, resins, catalysts, blowing agent, urethane-type products, and the like, including the ability to spray two different materials from a single can, without clogging or packing like traditional aerosol spray cans when spraying these materials.
- highly-viscous materials such as fire suppressant materials, adhesive and bonding materials, and culinary sauces
- colored agents, resins, catalysts, blowing agent, urethane-type products, and the like including the ability to spray two different materials from a single can, without clogging or packing like traditional aerosol spray cans when spraying these materials.
- valve assembly comprises a dip tube disposed inside a container.
- a rod is disposed inside the dip tube so that it may move lengthwise within the dip tube.
- a sealing member is coupled to the bottom end of the rod, so as to form a tight-seal with the bottom opening of the dip tube when the rod is in an up position, and it exposes the bottom opening of the dip tube to the heavy and particulate material inside the container when the rod is in a down position.
- a bushing is also coupled to the top opening of the dip tube.
- an actuator is coupled to the top end of the rod and the bushing, allowing the user to depress the actuator, thus lowering the rod to its down position and exposing the bottom opening of the dip tube to the material within the container, and allowing the heavy and particulate material to move up the dip tube and out of the container.
- valve assembly comprises a dip tube disposed inside the container.
- An interior tube is disposed inside the dip tube so that it may move lengthwise within the dip tube.
- a top O-ring is coupled to the interior tube adjacent the at least one orifice to prevent any bypass of the heavy and particulate material into the dip tube, and a bottom O-ring is coupled to the bottom end of the interior tube to seal off the valve assembly when not actuated.
- the top opening of the dip tube is coupled to a bushing.
- an actuator is coupled to the top end of the interior tube, allowing the user to depress on the actuator, thus lowering the interior tube to its down position and exposing the at least one orifice on the interior tube to the material inside the container and allowing the heavy and particulate material to flow up the interior tube and out of the container.
- a valve assembly wherein the valve opening may be located at substantially any point between the bottom and the top of the container.
- the valve assembly includes a side-fitting dip tube and a side-feeding mechanism, whereby texture material is dispensed when a central channel is aligned with a side conduit that is in flow communication with the dip tube.
- the valve assembly also includes a guiding mechanism to ensure alignment of the central channel and the side conduit in the actuated position.
- the valve assembly described immediately above includes two or more side-fitting dip tubes, wherein one of the tubes extends towards the bottom of the container and is in direct contact with the material housed within the container (as described above).
- Each one of the one or more additional dip tubes is connected to a storage member, such as a sack or a pouch, which, in turn, is housed within the container.
- a storage member such as a sack or a pouch, which, in turn, is housed within the container.
- valve opening may be at the bottom of the container, as opposed to being at the top, as in traditional aerosol spray cans.
- the valve assembly may still be placed near the top of the container, with a dip tube that receives sprayable material from the bottom of the container and feeds the material through a side conduit and an angled channel.
- valve opening greatly reduces the clogging or packing of the valve by texture materials having large particulates. This improvement allows the efficient and low-cost spraying of more highly-textured materials, because there is no longer the problem of clogging or packing of the valve opening by the particulates suspended within the texture material.
- the valve assembly includes a side release tube which is attached to the actuator.
- the side release tube is disposed partly inside the container and may be parallel with the dip tube.
- the side release tube extends through the top of the container and continues externally to the actuator.
- the side release tube provides a pathway for gas in the container to reach and exit from the actuator.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a valve assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a valve assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a valve assembly in a closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in a closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate perspective views of a portion of a valve assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in an opened position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a valve assembly in an opened position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a valve assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the valve assembly depicted in FIG. 12 ;
- FIG. 14A is a side cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in an unactuated position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 14B is a rear cross-sectional view of the valve assembly depicted in FIG. 14A ;
- FIG. 14C is a top cross-sectional view of the valve assembly depicted in FIG. 14A ;
- FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in an actuated position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 15B is an enlarged view of the top portion of the valve assembly shown in FIG. 15A ;
- FIG. 16A is a perspective view of a lower housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 16B is a perspective view of a lower housing according to another embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in an actuated position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly including a side release tube according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 1 and 3 are perspective views of a valve assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- a dip tube 1 is coupled to a bushing 4 , which may also be coupled to a cup 5 .
- An actuator 6 is also coupled to the bushing 4 .
- an aperture on the actuator 6 forms a nozzle opening 7 , in which a dispersing apparatus, such as a nozzle cap or a dispensing tube, may be attached or screwed.
- a rod 2 is disposed inside the dip tube 1 in a way that allows the rod 2 to move within the dip tube 1 along its length.
- the actuator 6 is coupled to the top end of the rod 2 , so that when the actuator 6 is depressed, the rod 2 moves downward within the dip tube 1 .
- a sealing member 3 is coupled to the bottom end of the rod 2 , so that when the rod 2 is in an up position, i.e., the actuator 6 is not depressed, the sealing member 3 forms a tight-seal with the bottom opening of the dip tube 1 .
- the sealing member 3 exposes the bottom opening of the dip tube 1 to the heavy and particulate material inside the container, and the aerosol within the container will force the texture material through the bottom opening of the dip tube 1 , up through the dip tube 1 , and out of the container through the nozzle opening 7 .
- the heavy and particulate material may be a variety of sprayable materials, including viscous materials or materials having large particulates, like that of stucco.
- the cup 5 acts as a guide to limit how far down the actuator 6 may be depressed, and in turn how far down the rod 2 may travel within the dip tube 1 . If the actuator 6 is depressed too far, the bottom end of the rod 2 may come in contact with the bottom surface of the container, which may result in damage to the container.
- the cup 5 is also adapted to fit securely over the top portion of an aerosol spray can and may also provide a surface for attaching the valve assembly to the aerosol spray can.
- valve assembly is also particularly useful in spraying other types of materials having large particulates or high viscosities, including fire suppressant materials. These materials having large particulates or high viscosities may be dispensed directly from the valve system of an aerosol dispensing container.
- the aerosol dispensing container is preferably a size that allows it to be hand held and may be operated with one hand.
- the actuator 6 is made out of an elastic material, such as rubber, so as to allow the retention of the rod 2 in the up position when the actuator 6 is not depressed.
- the actuator 6 may also be made of a non-elastic material, but there may be a resilient member, such as a spring, coupled to the bushing 4 and engaging the actuator 6 so as to spring-load the actuator 6 .
- the sealing member 3 should be made of a material, such as rubber, that will allow the sealing member 3 to form a tight-seal with the bottom opening of the dip tube 1 so as to prevent any entry of the texture material and the aerosol carrier into the dip tube 1 when the rod 2 is in the up position, i.e., when the actuator 6 is not being depressed.
- FIGS. 5 to 9 show another embodiment of the present invention.
- a dip tube 1 is coupled to a bushing 4 , which may also be coupled to a cup 5 .
- a spring member 9 may be coupled to the bushing 4 to spring-load the actuator 6 engaging the spring member 9 on the bushing 4 .
- An interior tube 10 with a top end and a bottom end is disposed inside the dip tube 1 in a way that allows the interior tube 10 to move within the dip tube 1 along its length.
- the actuator 6 is coupled to the top end of the interior tube 10 , so that when the actuator 6 is depressed, the interior tube 10 moves downward within the dip tube 1 .
- a top O-ring 11 is coupled to the interior tube 10 adjacent to and just above the at least one orifice 13 so as to form a seal to prevent any bypass of the heavy and particulate material from the container into the dip tube 1 when the interior tube 10 is in a down position.
- a bottom O-ring 12 is coupled to the bottom end of the interior tube 10 so as to seal off and close the valve assembly when the interior tube 10 is in an up position.
- the cup 5 may act as a guide so as to limit how far down the actuator 6 may be depressed, as well as provide a surface for attaching the valve assembly to the container.
- FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate perspective views of a portion of a valve assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As may be seen in FIG. 7B , when orifice 13 is aligned with orifice 14 , an opening is created.
- FIG. 10 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention.
- there is a top O-ring 11 and a bottom O-ring 12 as described above, for sealing off the dip tube 1 to prevent any bypass of the heavy and particulate material from the container and for closing the valve assembly.
- FIG. 11 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention.
- a resilient member 16 shown here as a spring, is located at the bottom of the container 17 .
- One end of the resilient member 16 is adjacent to the bottom of the container.
- the resilient member 16 may be attached to, or may abut, the bottom of the container 17 .
- the second end of the resilient member 16 may be attached to, or may abut, the inner tube 10 .
- This resilient member 16 will serve to spring-load the actuator and will prevent the inner tube 10 from remaining in its lowered position beyond the time required by the user.
- the resilient member 16 may also serve as a type of anchor or stabilizer for the inner tube 10 and dip tube 1 .
- FIG. 11 shows the resilient member 16 being used with the embodiment of the present invention that has a inner tube 10 and a dip tube 1
- the spring could be used with any embodiment of the present invention to center the tube extending into the container, to provide support to the tube in the container, and to push the tube back towards the top of the can and spring-load the actuator.
- the resilient member 16 is depicted in FIG. 11 as a coil or spring. However, it should be understood by one skilled in the art that this resilient member may be made from a rubber cylinder, a metal coil or any other means as are known in the art.
- FIGS. 12-15 show another embodiment of the present invention.
- a valve assembly 100 includes an upper housing 102 and a lower housing 104 .
- the lower housing 104 is divided into a vertical passageway 114 and a vertical compartment 116 .
- the upper housing 102 may be generally cylindrical and includes a transverse opening 106 through the wall of the housing.
- the upper housing 102 also includes a side conduit 108 where, at one end 112 , it is connected to the opening 106 and, at the other (free) end 110 , it is in flow alignment and communication with the upper end 118 of the vertical passageway 114 .
- the side conduit 108 is disposed between the upper housing 102 and the lower housing 104 at an angle sloping downwards from the horizontal.
- the upper and lower housings are coupled together by snap means 128 A, 128 B, or other similar coupling means.
- upper housing 102 and lower housing 104 may be made as a unitary structure.
- a spool 122 having a middle portion 130 , an upper elongated member 132 , and a lower elongated member 134 moves vertically within the upper housing 102 and the vertical compartment 116 of the lower housing 104 .
- the middle portion 130 is generally cylindrical and defines a transverse opening 138 through its wall.
- a channel 124 having a straight upper portion 136 and an angled lower portion 126 is defined through a length-wise portion of the upper elongated member 132 .
- the upper housing 102 includes a bushing 152 on its top surface, such that the bushing 152 is concentric with, and disposed around, the channel's straight upper portion 136 .
- the straight upper portion 136 of the length-wise channel 124 is concentric with and, as such, constitutes the upper elongated member 132 .
- the lower portion 126 of the length-wise channel 124 is angled, so that it extends radially outwards in a downward-sloping manner, such that it connects to, and is in flow alignment and communication with, the opening 138 in the wall of the spool's middle portion 130 .
- a first seal 140 such as an O-ring, is coupled to the exterior of the middle portion 130 of the spool 122 just below the point where the angled lower portion 126 meets the opening 138 so as to prevent passage of the sprayable material from the container 17 into the opening 138 or channel 124 when the spool 122 is up, i.e., when the actuating mechanism is in an unactuated position (see FIGS. 14 A-B).
- a second seal 142 (e.g., an O-ring) is coupled to the exterior of the middle portion 130 of the spool 122 just above the point where the angled lower portion 126 meets the opening 138 so as to prevent passage of the sprayable material from the container 17 into the upper housing 102 when the spool 122 is down, i.e., when the actuating mechanism is in an actuated position (see FIGS. 15 A-B).
- the valve assembly 100 further includes a resilient member 148 to bias the actuating mechanism, including the spool 122 towards an unactuated position, i.e., in an up position.
- the resilient member 148 is a spring that is disposed around the spool's lower elongated member 134 .
- one end of the spring engages an undersurface 150 of the spool's middle portion 130 , and the other end engages the bottom surface 144 of the vertical compartment 116 .
- the spool 122 is normally spring-loaded towards an unactuated position, and its vertical movement is restricted as determined, e.g., by the properties of the spring.
- Embodiments of the invention include a guiding mechanism to ensure that, in an actuated position, the openings 106 and 138 line up, so that the side conduit 108 and the angled lower portion 126 of the channel 124 are in flow alignment and communication.
- This in effect, requires that the spool 122 be prevented from twisting, or rotating around its longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, this is achieved by including, in the bottom surface 144 of the vertical compartment 116 , an aperture 146 having generally a non-circular shape.
- the spool's lower elongated member 134 has a cross-section in the shape of the aperture 146 and rides within the aperture.
- the aperture 146 is in the shape of a plus sign, although any other non-circular geometry may also be used.
- the lower elongated member 134 extends through, and is engaged by, the aperture 146 , so that the latter guides the movement of the former.
- FIG. 15A shows a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in an actuated position within a container 17 .
- a dip tube 154 is inserted through a lower end 120 of the vertical passageway 114 such that an upper portion of the dip tube is housed within the vertical passageway 114 , and the upper end 156 of the dip tube is disposed adjacent and in flow alignment and communication with the free end 110 of the side conduit 108 .
- the upper elongated member 132 of the spool 122 is depressed until the openings 106 and 138 are aligned, and the side conduit 108 and angled lower portion 126 are parallel and in flow communication.
- the guiding mechanism described above ensures that the spool 122 is lowered without twisting.
- the heavy and particulate texture material may be a variety of sprayable materials, including viscous materials or materials having large particulates, such as stucco.
- the upper elongated member is released, at which time the resilient member 148 forces the spool 122 upwards and towards the unactuated position, where the openings 106 and 138 are no longer aligned.
- valve assembly that is placed near the top of container
- the invention may be practiced by placing the valve assembly at substantially any point between the top and bottom of the container. This flexibility in placement of the valve assembly is made possible because the side-feeding feature of the invention, in combination with the side-fitting dip tube, allows elimination of the gasket that is required by traditional aerosol spray cans, and yet provides for uptake of the texture material from the bottom of the can.
- valve assembly near the top of the container may be desirable, and preferred. For example, such placement provides for a much simpler and faster assembly, as well as a reduction in the amount of gas that is lost.
- placement of the dip tube on the side eliminates the need to build different sizes of valve assemblies to fit a range of container sizes.
- the invention allows for production of a single size of the valve assembly, wherein dip tubes of various lengths can be used according to the intended container size. As such, the invention also provides a reduction in size and costs associated with the use of a multiplicity of container sizes.
- the lower housing 104 may include two (or more) vertical passageways 114 A, 114 B.
- the passageways may be situated side by side, and in various orientations.
- FIG. 16A shows passageways 114 A and 114 B oriented in one direction
- FIG. 16B shows passageways 114 C and 114 D, oriented about 90 degrees from the position depicted in FIG. 16A .
- FIGS. 16A and 16B depict illustrative examples only, and that the vertical passageways may have any other orientation within the lower housing 104 .
- each of the vertical passageways 114 A- 114 D has a circular cross section, the present invention may also be practiced with these passageways having non-circular cross sections.
- FIG. 17 shows a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in an actuated position within the container 17 , wherein a lower housing 104 according to FIG. 16B has been employed for illustrative purposes.
- a first dip tube 154 is inserted through a lower end 120 A of the first vertical passageway 114 C such that an upper portion of the dip tube is housed within the first vertical passageway 114 C, and the upper end of the dip tube is disposed adjacent and in flow alignment and communication with the free end 110 of the side conduit 108 .
- the lower end 155 of the first dip tube 154 extends generally downwards and is directly in contact/communication with the interior of the container 17 .
- a second dip tube 254 is inserted through a lower end 120 B of the second vertical passageway 114 D such that an upper portion of the dip tube is housed within the second vertical passageway 114 D, and the upper end of the dip tube is disposed adjacent and in flow alignment and communication with the free end 110 of the side conduit 108 .
- the lower end 255 of the second dip tube 254 is connected to a storage member, such as a sack or a pouch, 200 , which is contained within the container 17 .
- the above configuration allows for two different materials, or two portions (or fractions) of the same material, to be sprayed out of the same container.
- the upper elongated member 132 of the spool 122 is depressed, as before, until the openings 106 and 138 are aligned, and the side conduit 108 and angled lower portion 126 are parallel and in flow communication.
- the guiding mechanism described above ensures that the spool 122 is lowered without twisting.
- the propellant within the container 17 forces material through the bottom openings of the first dip tube 154 and second dip tube 254 , up through the respective dip tubes and the side conduit 108 , and out of the container through the angled lower portion 126 and the upper straight portion 136 of the channel 124 .
- the storage member 200 connected to the second dip tube 254 may include its own propellant.
- compressed gasses functioning as propellants may be introduced into the container 17 and storage member 200 by, e.g., undercapping the propellant into the container (i.e., filling the container with the propellant and then sealing it quickly) and/or filling the storage member 200 and the container 17 with propellant through the valve mechanism atop the container.
- the heavy and particulate texture material may be a variety of sprayable materials, including viscous materials or materials having large particulates, such as stucco.
- the container 17 may be filled with an oil-based material having a first color, while the storage member 200 is filled with a water-based material having a second color. In this way, when the actuating mechanism is operated, the two materials are sprayed without mixing, thereby creating separate color patterns on the sprayed area.
- the container may be filled with a resin, while the storage member is filled with a catalyst, or the container may be filled with a urethane-type product (such as, e.g., plastic or rubber), while the storage member is filled with a blowing agent (such as, e.g., water or a hydrocarbon material).
- a urethane-type product such as, e.g., plastic or rubber
- a blowing agent such as, e.g., water or a hydrocarbon material
- dip tube may be of various lengths, depending, e.g., on the overall dimensions of the container 17 , the dimensions of the storage member 200 , etc.
- diameter of each of the dip tubes may be selected based, e.g., on the material(s) being sprayed.
- the invention described herein may be used to spray more than two (fractions of) materials from a single container by including multiple vertical passageways, dip tubes, and storage members.
- FIG. 18 a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly including a side release tube 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- the valve assembly includes a side release tube 300 which is attached to the actuator 302 .
- the side release tube 300 is disposed partly inside the container and may be parallel with the dip tube 304 .
- the internal portion of the side release tube extends to top layer of gas 306 above the sprayable material 308 inside the container, without touching the material.
- the side release tube 300 extends through the top of the container and continues externally to the actuator 302 .
- the side release tube 300 provides a pathway for gas 306 in the container to enter from an opening 310 on the lower portion of the side release tube 300 and then reach and exit from the actuator 302 .
- the sprayable material 308 is released at the same time that the gas 306 is released through the side release tube 300 .
- the additional gas 306 is released separately and not brought into contact with the sprayable material 308 until the gas 306 enters the actuator 302 where the gas 306 exits with the sprayable material 308 .
- the additional gas 306 hits the sprayable material 308 as the material exits the actuator 302 and thus provides an added level atomization to the dispensed material.
Abstract
A valve assembly is disclosed for use in an aerosol spray can capable of spraying viscous materials or materials with large particulates with increased atomization and without clogging or packing like traditional aerosol spray cans designed for spraying texture materials. The valve opening may be located at substantially any point between the bottom and the top of the container. The valve assembly may include a plurality of side-fitting dip tubes, a side-feeding mechanism, a side release tube and at least one storage member connected, respectively, to at least one of the dip tubes, whereby texture material is dispensed when a central channel is aligned with a side conduit that is in flow communication with the dip tubes.
Description
- This application is a Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 10/832,126, filed on Apr. 26, 2004, which is a Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 10/174,264, filed Jun. 18, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,066, which is a Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 09/760,990, filed Jan. 16, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,964, which is a Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 09/656,247, filed Sep. 5, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,474, which is a Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 09/312,133, filed May 14, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,945.
- This invention relates to valve assemblies for use in an aerosol spray can that is capable of spraying viscous materials or materials with large particulates with increased atomization and without clogging or packing like traditional aerosol spray cans designed for spraying texture materials.
- The practice of dispensing heavy and particulate materials through traditional aerosol spray can valve assemblies in the aerosol industry has presented problems in which the heavy and particulate materials to be dispensed clog up the valve assemblies. These heavy and particulate materials may include exterior stucco, heavy sand finishes, drywall and acoustic ceiling patching materials, fire suppressant materials, adhesive and bonding materials, and even culinary sauces.
- A traditional aerosol spray can may be filled with these heavy and particulate materials for spraying. In the traditional aerosol spray can, the material to be dispensed must pass through an orifice that is normally sealed off (with a seal or gasket, e.g.) in the unactuated position. When the actuator is depressed, the orifice is exposed to allow the material to pass through. However, when heavy and particulate materials are used, they tend to clog up the valve assemblies (e.g., by clogging up or sticking to the seal, the orifice, and/or the area therebetween) and render the aerosol spray cans inoperative. Constant operation of these aerosol spray cans in spraying heavy and particulate materials is not possible due to the inconsistent ability of these traditional valve assemblies to dispense these materials without clogging.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,975, issued to Stern et al., discloses an aerosol spray texturing device that is comprised of a container, a nozzle, a valve assembly, and an outlet. The valve assembly in the '975 patent is located in the upper section of the container near the nozzle. Although the nozzle tube of the device in the '975 patent may be configured to spray texture materials, the device in the '975 patent still has the problem of clogging or packing of the valve assembly by the particulates contained in the texture material for spraying, especially if the particulates are large, like those found in stucco or other heavy and particulate materials mentioned above.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,011, issued to the present Applicant, discloses a spray apparatus for spraying a texture material through a nozzle. Although sufficient for its intended purpose, this apparatus also cannot spray texture materials having large particulates, such as stucco, because the particulates clog up the valve opening within the spray apparatus.
- Therefore, a long-standing need has existed to provide an apparatus that may be used to readily apply heavy and particulate materials in aerosol form, such as exterior stucco, heavy sand finishes, drywall and acoustic ceiling patching materials, fire suppressant materials, adhesive and bonding materials, and culinary sauces. Furthermore, the heavy and particulate materials to be applied should be contained in a hand-held applicator so that the materials may be conveniently stored, as well as dispensed, in a simple and convenient manner without clogging or packing the valve assembly of the applicator.
- An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a valve assembly for use in an aerosol spray can capable of spraying viscous materials or materials with large particulates without clogging or packing like traditional aerosol spray cans designed for spraying texture materials.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive and economical means for matching surface texture of a repaired or patched surface area on a drywall panel, acoustic ceiling, or stucco-covered surface.
- Another object of the present invention is to improve the appearance of patched or repaired areas on a textured surface by employing a spray-on hardenable texture material that covers the repaired or patched area and visually assumes the surface texture of the surrounding patched or repaired surface.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-held dispensing unit containing a pressurized texture surface material for spray-on and direct application of the material in a liquid or semi-liquid form onto a repaired or patched area so that the surrounding patched or repaired surface will be visually and mechanically matched.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a valve assembly for use in an aerosol spray can capable of spraying highly-viscous materials, such as fire suppressant materials, adhesive and bonding materials, and culinary sauces, as well as colored agents, resins, catalysts, blowing agent, urethane-type products, and the like, including the ability to spray two different materials from a single can, without clogging or packing like traditional aerosol spray cans when spraying these materials.
- One embodiment of the valve assembly comprises a dip tube disposed inside a container. A rod is disposed inside the dip tube so that it may move lengthwise within the dip tube. A sealing member is coupled to the bottom end of the rod, so as to form a tight-seal with the bottom opening of the dip tube when the rod is in an up position, and it exposes the bottom opening of the dip tube to the heavy and particulate material inside the container when the rod is in a down position. A bushing is also coupled to the top opening of the dip tube. Finally, an actuator is coupled to the top end of the rod and the bushing, allowing the user to depress the actuator, thus lowering the rod to its down position and exposing the bottom opening of the dip tube to the material within the container, and allowing the heavy and particulate material to move up the dip tube and out of the container.
- Another embodiment of the valve assembly comprises a dip tube disposed inside the container. An interior tube is disposed inside the dip tube so that it may move lengthwise within the dip tube. There is at least one orifice at the bottom end of the interior tube. A top O-ring is coupled to the interior tube adjacent the at least one orifice to prevent any bypass of the heavy and particulate material into the dip tube, and a bottom O-ring is coupled to the bottom end of the interior tube to seal off the valve assembly when not actuated. The top opening of the dip tube is coupled to a bushing. Finally, an actuator is coupled to the top end of the interior tube, allowing the user to depress on the actuator, thus lowering the interior tube to its down position and exposing the at least one orifice on the interior tube to the material inside the container and allowing the heavy and particulate material to flow up the interior tube and out of the container.
- In yet another embodiment of the invention, a valve assembly is described wherein the valve opening may be located at substantially any point between the bottom and the top of the container. The valve assembly includes a side-fitting dip tube and a side-feeding mechanism, whereby texture material is dispensed when a central channel is aligned with a side conduit that is in flow communication with the dip tube. The valve assembly also includes a guiding mechanism to ensure alignment of the central channel and the side conduit in the actuated position. The embodiment just described provides for a much simpler and faster assembly, as well as a reduction in the amount of gas that is lost. In addition, placement of the dip tube on the side (within the container) eliminates the need to build different sizes of valve assemblies to fit a range of container sizes. Thus, a single size of the valve assembly may be produced and dip tubes of various lengths may be used to fit the intended container size. As such, this embodiment also provides a reduction in size and costs associated with the use of multiple container sizes.
- In another embodiment of the invention, the valve assembly described immediately above includes two or more side-fitting dip tubes, wherein one of the tubes extends towards the bottom of the container and is in direct contact with the material housed within the container (as described above). Each one of the one or more additional dip tubes, on the other hand, is connected to a storage member, such as a sack or a pouch, which, in turn, is housed within the container. In this way, when the actuating mechanism is activated, a first material (or fraction of material) is drawn through the first dip tube, and a second material (or second fraction of the same material) is drawn through the second dip tube, thereby allowing two different materials (or fractions of material) to be sprayed from a single container. When more than two dip tubes are present, the aerosol container may be used to spray as many different materials (or fractions of materials) from a single container as there are dip tubes by connecting each additional dip tube to a separate storage member within the container.
- The invention prevents clogging or packing of the valve assembly by eliminating the need for a seal or gasket which, as was described above, is required in traditional aerosol spray cans. However, the elimination of the gasket, without more, would simply allow the contents near the top of the container to leave. That is, provisions must be made to ensure that the entire contents of the container can be dispensed. To this end, in embodiments of the present invention, the valve opening may be at the bottom of the container, as opposed to being at the top, as in traditional aerosol spray cans. In other embodiments, the valve assembly may still be placed near the top of the container, with a dip tube that receives sprayable material from the bottom of the container and feeds the material through a side conduit and an angled channel. The placement of the valve opening as described with respect to the embodiments herein greatly reduces the clogging or packing of the valve by texture materials having large particulates. This improvement allows the efficient and low-cost spraying of more highly-textured materials, because there is no longer the problem of clogging or packing of the valve opening by the particulates suspended within the texture material.
- In still another embodiment of the invention, the valve assembly includes a side release tube which is attached to the actuator. The side release tube is disposed partly inside the container and may be parallel with the dip tube. The side release tube extends through the top of the container and continues externally to the actuator. The side release tube provides a pathway for gas in the container to reach and exit from the actuator. When the actuator is depressed, the sprayable material is released at the same time that the gas is released, separate from the sprayable material, through the side release tube. The additional gas hits the sprayable material as the material exits the actuator and thus provides an added level atomization to the dispensed material.
- Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that illustrate, by way of example, various features and embodiments of the invention.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a valve assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a valve assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a valve assembly in a closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in a closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate perspective views of a portion of a valve assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in an opened position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a valve assembly in an opened position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a valve assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the valve assembly depicted inFIG. 12 ; -
FIG. 14A is a side cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in an unactuated position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 14B is a rear cross-sectional view of the valve assembly depicted inFIG. 14A ; -
FIG. 14C is a top cross-sectional view of the valve assembly depicted inFIG. 14A ; -
FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in an actuated position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 15B is an enlarged view of the top portion of the valve assembly shown inFIG. 15A ; -
FIG. 16A is a perspective view of a lower housing according to an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 16B is a perspective view of a lower housing according to another embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in an actuated position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and -
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly including a side release tube according to an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIGS. 1 and 3 are perspective views of a valve assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A dip tube 1 is coupled to a bushing 4, which may also be coupled to acup 5. Anactuator 6 is also coupled to the bushing 4. - In
FIGS. 2 and 4 , an aperture on theactuator 6 forms anozzle opening 7, in which a dispersing apparatus, such as a nozzle cap or a dispensing tube, may be attached or screwed. A rod 2 is disposed inside the dip tube 1 in a way that allows the rod 2 to move within the dip tube 1 along its length. Theactuator 6 is coupled to the top end of the rod 2, so that when theactuator 6 is depressed, the rod 2 moves downward within the dip tube 1. A sealing member 3 is coupled to the bottom end of the rod 2, so that when the rod 2 is in an up position, i.e., theactuator 6 is not depressed, the sealing member 3 forms a tight-seal with the bottom opening of the dip tube 1. However, when the rod 2 is in a down position, i.e., theactuator 6 is depressed, the sealing member 3 exposes the bottom opening of the dip tube 1 to the heavy and particulate material inside the container, and the aerosol within the container will force the texture material through the bottom opening of the dip tube 1, up through the dip tube 1, and out of the container through thenozzle opening 7. The heavy and particulate material may be a variety of sprayable materials, including viscous materials or materials having large particulates, like that of stucco. - The
cup 5 acts as a guide to limit how far down theactuator 6 may be depressed, and in turn how far down the rod 2 may travel within the dip tube 1. If theactuator 6 is depressed too far, the bottom end of the rod 2 may come in contact with the bottom surface of the container, which may result in damage to the container. Thecup 5 is also adapted to fit securely over the top portion of an aerosol spray can and may also provide a surface for attaching the valve assembly to the aerosol spray can. - The placement of the valve opening at the bottom of the container, as opposed to near the top of the container, as described in the prior references, drastically reduces the clogging and packing of the valve opening as experienced by traditional aerosol spray cans when spraying texture materials containing large particulates, such as stucco. Further description of an example of a heavy and particulate material is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,225,393, entitled, “Hardenable Texture Material in Aerosol Form,” incorporated herein by reference. In addition to being capable of spraying stucco-like materials, the valve assembly is also particularly useful in spraying other types of materials having large particulates or high viscosities, including fire suppressant materials. These materials having large particulates or high viscosities may be dispensed directly from the valve system of an aerosol dispensing container. The aerosol dispensing container is preferably a size that allows it to be hand held and may be operated with one hand.
- Ideally, the
actuator 6 is made out of an elastic material, such as rubber, so as to allow the retention of the rod 2 in the up position when theactuator 6 is not depressed. Theactuator 6 may also be made of a non-elastic material, but there may be a resilient member, such as a spring, coupled to the bushing 4 and engaging theactuator 6 so as to spring-load theactuator 6. The sealing member 3 should be made of a material, such as rubber, that will allow the sealing member 3 to form a tight-seal with the bottom opening of the dip tube 1 so as to prevent any entry of the texture material and the aerosol carrier into the dip tube 1 when the rod 2 is in the up position, i.e., when theactuator 6 is not being depressed. - FIGS. 5 to 9 show another embodiment of the present invention. A dip tube 1 is coupled to a bushing 4, which may also be coupled to a
cup 5. A spring member 9 may be coupled to the bushing 4 to spring-load theactuator 6 engaging the spring member 9 on the bushing 4. - An
interior tube 10 with a top end and a bottom end is disposed inside the dip tube 1 in a way that allows theinterior tube 10 to move within the dip tube 1 along its length. Theactuator 6 is coupled to the top end of theinterior tube 10, so that when theactuator 6 is depressed, theinterior tube 10 moves downward within the dip tube 1. There is at least oneorifice 13 at the bottom end of theinterior tube 10 so as to allow the heavy and particulate material from inside the container to flow up through theinterior tube 10 and out of the nozzle opening. A top O-ring 11 is coupled to theinterior tube 10 adjacent to and just above the at least oneorifice 13 so as to form a seal to prevent any bypass of the heavy and particulate material from the container into the dip tube 1 when theinterior tube 10 is in a down position. A bottom O-ring 12 is coupled to the bottom end of theinterior tube 10 so as to seal off and close the valve assembly when theinterior tube 10 is in an up position. - As described above, the
cup 5 may act as a guide so as to limit how far down theactuator 6 may be depressed, as well as provide a surface for attaching the valve assembly to the container. -
FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate perspective views of a portion of a valve assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As may be seen inFIG. 7B , whenorifice 13 is aligned withorifice 14, an opening is created. -
FIG. 10 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention. There is at least oneexterior orifice 14 on the dip tube 1 that is adapted to be in flow alignment with the at least oneorifice 13 of theinterior tube 10. Therefore, when theactuator 6 is depressed and theinterior tube 10 is lowered to its open position, the at least oneorifice 13 of theinterior tube 10 aligns with the at least oneorifice 14 on the dip tube 1 so that the material inside thecontainer 17 may flow through theexterior orifice 14 and into the at least oneorifice 13 of theinterior tube 10 and up through theinterior tube 10 and out of the container through thenozzle opening 7. Similarly, there is a top O-ring 11 and a bottom O-ring 12, as described above, for sealing off the dip tube 1 to prevent any bypass of the heavy and particulate material from the container and for closing the valve assembly. -
FIG. 11 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, aresilient member 16, shown here as a spring, is located at the bottom of thecontainer 17. One end of theresilient member 16 is adjacent to the bottom of the container. Theresilient member 16 may be attached to, or may abut, the bottom of thecontainer 17. The second end of theresilient member 16 may be attached to, or may abut, theinner tube 10. Thisresilient member 16 will serve to spring-load the actuator and will prevent theinner tube 10 from remaining in its lowered position beyond the time required by the user. Theresilient member 16 may also serve as a type of anchor or stabilizer for theinner tube 10 and dip tube 1. This will help to prevent any movement of theinner tube 10 and dip tube 1 that may cause a leakage where theinner tube 10 and the dip tube 1 meet the top of thecontainer 17. WhileFIG. 11 shows theresilient member 16 being used with the embodiment of the present invention that has ainner tube 10 and a dip tube 1, it should be understood that the spring could be used with any embodiment of the present invention to center the tube extending into the container, to provide support to the tube in the container, and to push the tube back towards the top of the can and spring-load the actuator. - The
resilient member 16 is depicted inFIG. 11 as a coil or spring. However, it should be understood by one skilled in the art that this resilient member may be made from a rubber cylinder, a metal coil or any other means as are known in the art. -
FIGS. 12-15 show another embodiment of the present invention. Avalve assembly 100 includes anupper housing 102 and alower housing 104. Thelower housing 104 is divided into avertical passageway 114 and avertical compartment 116. Theupper housing 102 may be generally cylindrical and includes atransverse opening 106 through the wall of the housing. Theupper housing 102 also includes aside conduit 108 where, at oneend 112, it is connected to theopening 106 and, at the other (free)end 110, it is in flow alignment and communication with theupper end 118 of thevertical passageway 114. Thus, theside conduit 108 is disposed between theupper housing 102 and thelower housing 104 at an angle sloping downwards from the horizontal. In a preferred embodiment, the upper and lower housings are coupled together by snap means 128A, 128B, or other similar coupling means. In an alternative embodiment,upper housing 102 andlower housing 104 may be made as a unitary structure. - As shown in
FIGS. 13 and 14 A-B, aspool 122 having amiddle portion 130, an upperelongated member 132, and a lowerelongated member 134 moves vertically within theupper housing 102 and thevertical compartment 116 of thelower housing 104. Themiddle portion 130 is generally cylindrical and defines atransverse opening 138 through its wall. Achannel 124 having a straightupper portion 136 and an angledlower portion 126 is defined through a length-wise portion of the upperelongated member 132. Theupper housing 102 includes abushing 152 on its top surface, such that thebushing 152 is concentric with, and disposed around, the channel's straightupper portion 136. - In a preferred embodiment, the straight
upper portion 136 of thelength-wise channel 124 is concentric with and, as such, constitutes the upperelongated member 132. As illustrated inFIGS. 14A and 15B , thelower portion 126 of thelength-wise channel 124 is angled, so that it extends radially outwards in a downward-sloping manner, such that it connects to, and is in flow alignment and communication with, theopening 138 in the wall of the spool'smiddle portion 130. Afirst seal 140, such as an O-ring, is coupled to the exterior of themiddle portion 130 of thespool 122 just below the point where the angledlower portion 126 meets theopening 138 so as to prevent passage of the sprayable material from thecontainer 17 into theopening 138 orchannel 124 when thespool 122 is up, i.e., when the actuating mechanism is in an unactuated position (see FIGS. 14A-B). Similarly, a second seal 142 (e.g., an O-ring) is coupled to the exterior of themiddle portion 130 of thespool 122 just above the point where the angledlower portion 126 meets theopening 138 so as to prevent passage of the sprayable material from thecontainer 17 into theupper housing 102 when thespool 122 is down, i.e., when the actuating mechanism is in an actuated position (see FIGS. 15A-B). - The
valve assembly 100 further includes aresilient member 148 to bias the actuating mechanism, including thespool 122 towards an unactuated position, i.e., in an up position. In one embodiment, theresilient member 148 is a spring that is disposed around the spool's lowerelongated member 134. In this embodiment, one end of the spring engages anundersurface 150 of the spool'smiddle portion 130, and the other end engages thebottom surface 144 of thevertical compartment 116. In this manner, thespool 122 is normally spring-loaded towards an unactuated position, and its vertical movement is restricted as determined, e.g., by the properties of the spring. - Embodiments of the invention include a guiding mechanism to ensure that, in an actuated position, the
openings side conduit 108 and the angledlower portion 126 of thechannel 124 are in flow alignment and communication. This, in effect, requires that thespool 122 be prevented from twisting, or rotating around its longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, this is achieved by including, in thebottom surface 144 of thevertical compartment 116, anaperture 146 having generally a non-circular shape. In addition, the spool's lowerelongated member 134 has a cross-section in the shape of theaperture 146 and rides within the aperture. Thus, in the example shown inFIG. 14C , theaperture 146 is in the shape of a plus sign, although any other non-circular geometry may also be used. In operation, the lowerelongated member 134 extends through, and is engaged by, theaperture 146, so that the latter guides the movement of the former. -
FIG. 15A shows a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in an actuated position within acontainer 17. As depicted more clearly inFIG. 15B , adip tube 154 is inserted through alower end 120 of thevertical passageway 114 such that an upper portion of the dip tube is housed within thevertical passageway 114, and theupper end 156 of the dip tube is disposed adjacent and in flow alignment and communication with thefree end 110 of theside conduit 108. - In operation, to initiate spraying of the texture material, the upper
elongated member 132 of thespool 122 is depressed until theopenings side conduit 108 and angledlower portion 126 are parallel and in flow communication. The guiding mechanism described above ensures that thespool 122 is lowered without twisting. Once theopenings container 17 forces the texture material through the bottom opening of thedip tube 154, up through the dip tube and theside conduit 108, and out of the container through the angledlower portion 126 and the upperstraight portion 136 of thechannel 124. As was noted with respect to the embodiments previously described, the heavy and particulate texture material may be a variety of sprayable materials, including viscous materials or materials having large particulates, such as stucco. To terminate spraying of the texture material, the upper elongated member is released, at which time theresilient member 148 forces thespool 122 upwards and towards the unactuated position, where theopenings - Although embodiments shown in
FIGS. 12-15 depict a valve assembly that is placed near the top of container, the invention may be practiced by placing the valve assembly at substantially any point between the top and bottom of the container. This flexibility in placement of the valve assembly is made possible because the side-feeding feature of the invention, in combination with the side-fitting dip tube, allows elimination of the gasket that is required by traditional aerosol spray cans, and yet provides for uptake of the texture material from the bottom of the can. - Nevertheless, placement of the valve assembly near the top of the container may be desirable, and preferred. For example, such placement provides for a much simpler and faster assembly, as well as a reduction in the amount of gas that is lost. In addition, placement of the dip tube on the side eliminates the need to build different sizes of valve assemblies to fit a range of container sizes. In effect, the invention allows for production of a single size of the valve assembly, wherein dip tubes of various lengths can be used according to the intended container size. As such, the invention also provides a reduction in size and costs associated with the use of a multiplicity of container sizes.
- As shown in
FIG. 16A , thelower housing 104 may include two (or more)vertical passageways 114A, 114B. The passageways may be situated side by side, and in various orientations. Thus,FIG. 16A showspassageways 114A and 114B oriented in one direction, whileFIG. 16B shows passageways 114C and 114D, oriented about 90 degrees from the position depicted inFIG. 16A . It should be understood thatFIGS. 16A and 16B depict illustrative examples only, and that the vertical passageways may have any other orientation within thelower housing 104. In addition, while, in a preferred embodiment, each of thevertical passageways 114A-114D has a circular cross section, the present invention may also be practiced with these passageways having non-circular cross sections. -
FIG. 17 shows a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in an actuated position within thecontainer 17, wherein alower housing 104 according toFIG. 16B has been employed for illustrative purposes. Here, afirst dip tube 154 is inserted through a lower end 120A of the first vertical passageway 114C such that an upper portion of the dip tube is housed within the first vertical passageway 114C, and the upper end of the dip tube is disposed adjacent and in flow alignment and communication with thefree end 110 of theside conduit 108. Thelower end 155 of thefirst dip tube 154 extends generally downwards and is directly in contact/communication with the interior of thecontainer 17. - Similarly, a
second dip tube 254 is inserted through a lower end 120B of the second vertical passageway 114D such that an upper portion of the dip tube is housed within the second vertical passageway 114D, and the upper end of the dip tube is disposed adjacent and in flow alignment and communication with thefree end 110 of theside conduit 108. Here, however, thelower end 255 of thesecond dip tube 254 is connected to a storage member, such as a sack or a pouch, 200, which is contained within thecontainer 17. - The above configuration allows for two different materials, or two portions (or fractions) of the same material, to be sprayed out of the same container. Thus, in operation, to initiate spraying, the upper
elongated member 132 of thespool 122 is depressed, as before, until theopenings side conduit 108 and angledlower portion 126 are parallel and in flow communication. The guiding mechanism described above ensures that thespool 122 is lowered without twisting. Once theopenings container 17 forces material through the bottom openings of thefirst dip tube 154 andsecond dip tube 254, up through the respective dip tubes and theside conduit 108, and out of the container through the angledlower portion 126 and the upperstraight portion 136 of thechannel 124. - The
storage member 200 connected to thesecond dip tube 254 may include its own propellant. Thus, compressed gasses functioning as propellants may be introduced into thecontainer 17 andstorage member 200 by, e.g., undercapping the propellant into the container (i.e., filling the container with the propellant and then sealing it quickly) and/or filling thestorage member 200 and thecontainer 17 with propellant through the valve mechanism atop the container. - As was noted with respect to the embodiments previously described, the heavy and particulate texture material may be a variety of sprayable materials, including viscous materials or materials having large particulates, such as stucco. In addition, the
container 17 may be filled with an oil-based material having a first color, while thestorage member 200 is filled with a water-based material having a second color. In this way, when the actuating mechanism is operated, the two materials are sprayed without mixing, thereby creating separate color patterns on the sprayed area. Moreover, the container may be filled with a resin, while the storage member is filled with a catalyst, or the container may be filled with a urethane-type product (such as, e.g., plastic or rubber), while the storage member is filled with a blowing agent (such as, e.g., water or a hydrocarbon material). - It is noted that the relative lengths of the dip tubes shown in
FIG. 17 are for illustrative purposes only, and either dip tube may be of various lengths, depending, e.g., on the overall dimensions of thecontainer 17, the dimensions of thestorage member 200, etc. In addition, the diameter of each of the dip tubes may be selected based, e.g., on the material(s) being sprayed. Finally, the invention described herein may be used to spray more than two (fractions of) materials from a single container by including multiple vertical passageways, dip tubes, and storage members. - In
FIG. 18 , a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly including aside release tube 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the valve assembly includes aside release tube 300 which is attached to theactuator 302. Theside release tube 300 is disposed partly inside the container and may be parallel with thedip tube 304. The internal portion of the side release tube extends to top layer ofgas 306 above thesprayable material 308 inside the container, without touching the material. Theside release tube 300 extends through the top of the container and continues externally to theactuator 302. Theside release tube 300 provides a pathway forgas 306 in the container to enter from an opening 310 on the lower portion of theside release tube 300 and then reach and exit from theactuator 302. When theactuator 302 is depressed, thesprayable material 308 is released at the same time that thegas 306 is released through theside release tube 300. Theadditional gas 306 is released separately and not brought into contact with thesprayable material 308 until thegas 306 enters theactuator 302 where thegas 306 exits with thesprayable material 308. Theadditional gas 306 hits thesprayable material 308 as the material exits theactuator 302 and thus provides an added level atomization to the dispensed material. - While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
- The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
Claims (20)
1. A valve assembly for use in an aerosol system, said valve assembly comprising:
an upper housing defining a first opening through the periphery thereof;
a side conduit having a free end, and an end connected to said first opening at an angle sloping downward from the horizontal;
a lower housing divided into a first vertical passageway for receiving a first dip tube, a second vertical passageway for receiving a second dip tube, and a vertical compartment, wherein each of said first and second passageways has an upper end and a lower end and said upper ends are in flow alignment with the free end of the side conduit so as to provide flow communication between the lower end of each said passageway and said first opening;
an actuating mechanism having a spool defining a length-wise channel through a portion thereof, wherein said spool is configured to move vertically within said upper housing and said vertical compartment, and wherein a lower portion of said channel is angled so as to be in flow alignment with said conduit through said first opening when the actuating mechanism is in an actuated position, thereby allowing a sprayable material to flow through at least one of said passageways and said conduit and channel; and
a side release tube attached to the actuating mechanism, the side release tube having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the lower portion includes an opening and the upper portion and lower portion provide flow communication from the opening to the actuating mechanism.
2. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lower portion of the side release tube is positioned inside the container and the upper portion of the side release tube is positioned outside of the container, the upper portion being attached to the actuating mechanism.
3. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the opening of the side release tube is positioned above the sprayable material without contact with the sprayable material.
4. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the side release tube provides flow communication of the gas from the inside of the container to the actuating mechanism.
5. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the gas is released through the side release tube to provide added atomization to the sprayable material as the sprayable material exits the actuating mechanism.
6. The valve assembly of claim 5 , wherein the gas does not contact the sprayable material until the sprayable material is exiting the actuating mechanism.
7. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the gas is released at the same time as the sprayable material when the actuating mechanism is depressed.
8. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein for each of the first and second dip tubes, an upper portion of the dip tube is housed by its respective vertical passageway such that an upper end of the dip tube is disposed adjacent and in flow communication with the free end of the side conduit.
9. The valve assembly of claim 8 , wherein the lower end of the first dip tube is in direct communication with a first fraction of sprayable material housed within an aerosol container, and the lower end of the second dip tube is connected to a storage member within the aerosol container, the storage member housing a second fraction of sprayable material.
10. The valve assembly of claim 9 , wherein the first and second fractions are portions of the same material.
11. The valve assembly of claim 9 , wherein the first and second fractions are portions of different materials.
12. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein in the actuated position, the angled lower portion of the channel is parallel to the conduit.
13. The valve assembly of claim 1 further including resilient means to bias the actuating mechanism towards an unactuated position, the resilient means engaging an undersurface of the spool's middle portion.
14. An aerosol system for applying sprayable material comprising:
a container holding a gas and sprayable material, wherein the gas is positioned over the sprayable material; and
a valve assembly attached to the container comprising
an upper housing defining a first opening through the periphery thereof,
a side conduit having a free end, and an end connected to said first opening at an angle sloping downward from the horizontal,
a lower housing divided into a first vertical passageway for receiving a first dip tube, a second vertical passageway for receiving a second dip tube, and a vertical compartment, wherein each of said first and second passageways has an upper end and a lower end and said upper ends are in flow alignment with the free end of the side conduit so as to provide flow communication between the lower end of each said passageway and said first opening,
an actuating mechanism having a spool defining a length-wise channel through a portion thereof, wherein said spool is configured to move vertically within said upper housing and said vertical compartment, and wherein a lower portion of said channel is angled so as to be in flow alignment with said conduit through said first opening when the actuating mechanism is in an actuated position, thereby allowing a sprayable material to flow through at least one of said passageways and said conduit and channel, and
a side release tube attached to the actuating mechanism, the side release tube having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the lower portion includes an opening and the upper portion and lower portion provide flow communication from the opening to the actuating mechanism.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the lower portion of the side release tube is positioned inside the container and the upper portion of the side release tube is positioned outside of the container, the upper portion being attached to the actuating mechanism.
16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the opening of the side release tube is positioned above the sprayable material without contact with the sprayable material.
17. The system of claim 14 , wherein the side release tube provides flow communication of the gas from the inside of the container to the actuating mechanism.
18. The system of claim 14 , wherein the gas is released through the side release tube to provide added atomization to the sprayable material as the sprayable material exits the actuating mechanism.
19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the gas does not contact the sprayable material until the sprayable material is exiting the actuating mechanism.
20. They system of claim 14 , wherein the gas is released at the same time as the sprayable material when the actuating mechanism is depressed.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/398,271 US20060180616A1 (en) | 1999-05-14 | 2006-04-04 | Multiple side-feeding aerosol valve assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/312,133 US6112945A (en) | 1999-05-14 | 1999-05-14 | Aerosol valve assembly for spraying viscous materials or materials with large particulates |
US09/656,247 US6382474B1 (en) | 1999-05-14 | 2000-09-05 | Aerosol valve assembly for spraying viscous materials or materials with large particulates |
US09/760,990 US6415964B2 (en) | 1999-05-14 | 2001-01-16 | Aerosol valve assembly for spraying viscous materials or materials with large particulates |
US10/174,264 US6726066B2 (en) | 1999-05-14 | 2002-06-18 | Side-feeding aerosol valve assembly |
US10/832,126 US7059497B2 (en) | 1999-05-14 | 2004-04-26 | Multiple side-feeding aerosol valve assembly |
US11/398,271 US20060180616A1 (en) | 1999-05-14 | 2006-04-04 | Multiple side-feeding aerosol valve assembly |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/832,126 Continuation-In-Part US7059497B2 (en) | 1999-05-14 | 2004-04-26 | Multiple side-feeding aerosol valve assembly |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060180616A1 true US20060180616A1 (en) | 2006-08-17 |
Family
ID=36814659
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/398,271 Abandoned US20060180616A1 (en) | 1999-05-14 | 2006-04-04 | Multiple side-feeding aerosol valve assembly |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20060180616A1 (en) |
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US8420705B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2013-04-16 | Homax Products, Inc. | Particulate materials for acoustic texture material |
US8469292B1 (en) | 2007-04-04 | 2013-06-25 | Homax Products, Inc. | Spray texture material compositions and dispensing systems and methods |
US8551572B1 (en) | 2007-04-04 | 2013-10-08 | Homax Products, Inc. | Spray texture material compositions, systems, and methods with anti-corrosion characteristics |
US8580349B1 (en) | 2007-04-05 | 2013-11-12 | Homax Products, Inc. | Pigmented spray texture material compositions, systems, and methods |
US8647006B2 (en) | 2001-08-10 | 2014-02-11 | Homax Products, Inc. | Tube with resilient applicator and scraper for dispensing texture materials |
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US9132953B2 (en) | 2003-04-10 | 2015-09-15 | Homax Products, Inc. | Dispenser for aerosol systems |
US9156602B1 (en) | 2012-05-17 | 2015-10-13 | Homax Products, Inc. | Actuators for dispensers for texture material |
US9156042B2 (en) | 2011-07-29 | 2015-10-13 | Homax Products, Inc. | Systems and methods for dispensing texture material using dual flow adjustment |
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US9580233B2 (en) | 2007-04-04 | 2017-02-28 | Ppg Architectural Finishes, Inc. | Spray texture material compositions, systems, and methods with anti-corrosion characteristics |
US8784942B2 (en) | 2007-04-04 | 2014-07-22 | Homax Products, Inc. | Spray texture material compositions, systems, and methods with anti-corrosion characteristics |
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US8580349B1 (en) | 2007-04-05 | 2013-11-12 | Homax Products, Inc. | Pigmented spray texture material compositions, systems, and methods |
US9592527B2 (en) | 2007-04-05 | 2017-03-14 | Ppg Architectural Finishes, Inc. | Spray texture material compositions, systems, and methods with accelerated dry times |
US9156042B2 (en) | 2011-07-29 | 2015-10-13 | Homax Products, Inc. | Systems and methods for dispensing texture material using dual flow adjustment |
US9248457B2 (en) | 2011-07-29 | 2016-02-02 | Homax Products, Inc. | Systems and methods for dispensing texture material using dual flow adjustment |
US9156602B1 (en) | 2012-05-17 | 2015-10-13 | Homax Products, Inc. | Actuators for dispensers for texture material |
US9435120B2 (en) | 2013-03-13 | 2016-09-06 | Homax Products, Inc. | Acoustic ceiling popcorn texture materials, systems, and methods |
US20160144388A1 (en) * | 2013-07-18 | 2016-05-26 | Promens Sa | Device for Withdrawing and Dispensing a Viscous Product, Without Taking in Air |
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