Valve assembly for dispensers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11892084-B2
Application number	US-202016914519-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 29, 2020
Priority date	Jul 26, 2019
Publication date	Feb 6, 2024
Grant date	Feb 6, 2024

Abstract

A valve assembly for a dispenser. The valve assembly includes a valve body that extends about a longitudinal axis and defines an outer surface and an inner passageway. A valve stem extends through the inner passageway and includes an outer stem surface, an inner stem surface opposite the outer stem surface, and a first orifice extending from the outer stem surface to the inner stem surface. The valve assembly includes a retaining member joined to the second portion of the valve stem, wherein the retaining member extends outward from the outer stem surface. The retaining member includes a first retaining member surface, a second retaining member surface, and a void.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A valve for a dispenser having a container portion, the valve comprising:
a valve body extending about a longitudinal axis, the valve body defining an outer surface and an inner passageway, wherein the inner passageway comprises a first passageway opening and a second passageway opening and a passageway surface extending from the first passageway opening to the second passageway opening; and
a valve stem extending through the inner passageway, wherein a first portion of the valve stem extends through the first passageway opening and a second portion of the valve stem is substantially surrounded by the passageway surface, wherein the valve stem comprises an outer stem surface and an inner stem surface opposite the outer stem surface, and wherein the valve stem has one or more orifices from the outer stem surface to the inner stem surface;
a compressible resilient member operably engaged with the valve stem and the valve body and operable to bias the valve stem toward a sealed configuration wherein the one or more orifices are closed off from fluid communication with an interior volume of the container portion, wherein the resilient member is made from a polymer;
a retaining member joined to the second portion of the valve stem, wherein the retaining member extends radially outward from the outer stem surface, wherein the retaining member comprises a first retaining member surface and a second retaining member surface,
wherein the retaining member comprises a void formed by an aperture extending from the first retaining member surface to the second retaining member surface, and
a valve seal discrete from the resilient member, and operably engaging the valve body and the first retaining member surface when the valve stem is in the sealed configuration, thereby to seal the valve and close off the top of the void in the retaining member to prevent flow from occurring therethrough;
wherein the container portion includes a cylindrical container portion of a first diameter and a neck portion of a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is smaller than the first diameter; and
wherein the valve body is disposed within the neck portion.

2. The valve of claim 1 , wherein the inner stem surface defines a channel in fluid communication with the one or more orifices.

3. The valve of claim 2 , wherein the channel extends from the retaining member to a dispensing opening.

4. The valve of claim 1 , wherein the valve seal is joined to at least a portion of the inner passageway and extends from the inner passageway to the second passageway opening.

5. The valve of claim 4 , wherein the valve seal extends about the second passageway opening and into a valve cavity positioned adjacent to the second passageway opening.

6. The valve of claim 4 , wherein a portion of the retaining member is configured to operatively engage a portion of the valve seal adjacent to the second passageway opening.

7. The valve of claim 4 , wherein the valve seal comprises a seal protrusion that extends downwardly from the portion of the valve seal positioned adjacent to the second passageway opening.

8. The valve of claim 7 , wherein the first retaining member surface of the retaining member operatively engages the seal protrusion of the valve seal to form a concentrated seal location.

9. The valve of claim 1 , wherein the valve stem is configured to move from a sealed configuration to a dispensing configuration.

Assignees

• Procter & Gamble

Inventors

• Dalton David Andrew
• Magness Robert Earl
• Stevens John Boyet
• Sawin Philip Andrew
• Hosmer Jennifer Elizabeth

Classifications

• B65D83/141

  specially adapted for specific contents or propellants · CPC title

• F16K1/303 Primary

  with a valve member, e.g. stem or shaft, passing through the seat · CPC title

• B65D83/48

  Lift valves, e.g. operated by push action (non-reclosable valves B65D83/50) · CPC title

• F16K1/308

  Connecting means · CPC title

• F16K41/02

  with stuffing-box {; Sealing rings} · CPC title