Background of The Invention
[0001] For a long time there has been a need for a pressure generating system for use in
product dispensing containers that is isolated from, and is not dispensed with, the
product. This need has been partially due to environmental considerations but also
for safety precautions, avoidance of product contamination or dilution as well as
skin toxicity and/or irritation.
[0002] Furthermore, prior aerosol type dispensers generally were operable only in an upright
condition, otherwise premature exhaustion of the dispensing medium would result with
a substantial loss of usable product which would remain indispensable in the container
due to loss of dispensing pressure.
[0003] Prior dispensers also had other deficiencies such as temperature sensitivity, non-uniform
dispensing pressure, limited shelf-life, unreliability, difficulty of manufacture
and relatively high cost of manufacture.
[0004] The present invention provides a dispensing mechanism which overcomes the above-mentioned
deficiencies of the prior art devices and provides additional novel features and advantages,
and a wider range of uses, than were possible with devices used heretofore.
Brief Summary of The Invention
[0005] Expulsion means for developing and maintaining relatively constant gaseous dispensing
pressure in a container from which a product is to be dispensed, comprising an enclosed,
fluid impermeable flexible plastic pouch disposed within the container, and having
a pair of facing wall members. A plurality of pocket members are disposed within the
pouch in spaced relation to one another and affixed to the interior or one of said
wall members. A closure member is associated with the interior of the other wall member
and releasably closes each of said pocket members. Each pocket member contains a first
component, e.g., sodium bicarbonate, of a two-component carbon dioxide gas generation
mixture. The second component, e.g., citric acid solution, of said two-component carbon
dioxide gas generation mixture is disposed within the pouch and externally of said
enclosed pocket members. Starting delay means, e.g., a rupturable or dissolvable capsule
containing sodium bicarbonate and/or lithium carbonate is disposed within the pouch
in contact with the second component for causing the initial generation of carbon
dioxide gas after a prescribed period of time and each ppcket member is sequentially
severable from the closure member to thereby empty its contents into admixture with
the second component to generate more gas as the pouch expands due to the dispensing
of the product from the container.
Description of The Drawings
[0006]
Fig. 1 is an elevation sectional view of an aerosol dispensing container including
an explusion means embodiment of the present invention shown in a fragmentary cutaway
view;
Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1 shown in theexpulsion
means in initial collapsed condition;
Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view of the device of Fig. 2 showing the expulsion means
in intermediate expanded condition;
Fig. 4 is an enlarged isometric view of the two envelope sheets of an embodiment of
the invention prior to assembly;
Fig. 5 is an enlarged isometric view of the two envelope sheets of Fig. 4 in assembled
condition;
Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is an enlarged schematic showing the method of insertion of the envelope into
the pouch;
Fig. 8 is an enlarged schematic showing heat sealing .of the envelope sides to the
inner walls of the pouch;
Figs. 9 through 11 are reduced sectional elevations showing assembly of the envelope
containing pouch into an aerosol type dispenser;
Figs. 12 and 13 are enlarged fragmentary schematic views showing separation of the
envelope sides during expansion to open the pocket members; and
Figs. 14 through 17 are schematic representations of different arrangements of the
pocket members and different patterns of attachment of the envelope sides to the pouch
walls.
Detailed Description
[0007] Referring now to the drawings, in which each of the various components have the same
reference numeral in the different views, and in particular Figs. 1-3, a fluid tight
dispensing container is shown and designated generally by reference numeral 10. Container
10 has a cylindrical body or sidewall 11, inwardly dished bottom 12 and bell-shaped
top 13 in which is mounted a conventional spring loaded aerosol spray valve assembly
14. Container 10 and its component parts just described can be fabricated from any
suitable material such as thin gauge aluminum or other metal, or even plastic depending
on the product to be dispensed and any governing safety specifications that might
be involved. Valve assembly 14 is also of conventional design having plunger and spray
head 15 carrying spray orifice 16, suitably constructed of plastic, and internal parts
(not shown) such as a spring, ball valve and mounting ring 17 and bottom intake member
18 which may be of metal and/or plastic consistent with the previously mentioned requirements.
[0008] Within container 10 is liquid product 19 and expulsion assembly 20 which is the subject
of the present invention and as will be seen generates and maintains gas pressure
within container 10 to enable product 19 to be dispensed on demand.
[0009] At the upper end 21 of the interior of cylindrical body 11 is a perforated or foraminous
barrier member 22 having a plurality of holes 23 distributed throughout its surface.
Also affixed to inner surface 24 of sidewall 11 and extending longitudinally there
along is a perforate tube member 25 having a plurality of holes 26 at spaced positions
around and along said tube member 25. The function of barrier member 22 and tube member
25 is to insure trouble-free operation of the dispenser and prevent expulsion assembly
20, as it expands in the manner to be described, from blocking off or plugging the
interior of the container either laterally/circumferentially or plugging off the valve
bottom intake member 18.
[0010] Expulsion assembly as shown is disposed within container 10 without being attached
or anchored to container 10, although it may, if desired be so connected. Assembly
20 is comprised of generally rectangular envelope, bag or pouch 27 which is constructed
of a flexible, fluid impermeable plastic such as, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene
and may be fabricated from a sheet of plastic by folding it into overlaid halves 27a,
27b which are then sealed or adhered by suitable means along their respective contacting
side, bottom and top edges 28, 29, 30 respectively to form a sealed enclosure as shown
in Figs. 1-3 inclusive.
[0011] Disposed within pouch 27 is fluid impermeable flexible plastic sandwich or enfoldment
31 having a pair of facing wall members 32, 33 releasably adhered to one another (see
also Figs. 2 through 6) and permanently attached by suitable means such as heat sealed
portions 35 to respective interior sides 27c, 27d of pouch halves 27a, 27b respectively.
One wall member 32 is a substantially flat and the other wall member 33 has a plurality
of cup-shaped depressions, cavities or pocket members 34 disposed inwardly from one
surface thereof at spaced positions and aligned generally longitudinally of said enfoldment
31 which in turn is similarly aligned with respect to said envelope 20 in a substantially
longitudinal relationship as shown in Fig. 1. Pocket members 34 are "lidded" or closed
by wall member 32 to encapsulate within each cavity 34'an aliquot of sodium bicarbonate
36 which may be either in the form of powder or a solution. In the interior of pouch
27 is citric acid solution 37. Also disposed in said citric acid solution is starting
means 38 which as shown is in the form of a dissolvable capsule and contains an initial
charge of sodium bicarbonate which, after a predetermined period of time after assembly
of the pouch 27 in container 10, filling the container with product 19 and capping
it with the top 13 and associated parts, capsule 38 dissolves and causes the sodium
carbonate contained therein to mix with the citric acid solution 37 and generate the
initial quantity of carbon dioxide gas, thereby expanding envelope or pouch 27 and
providing dispensing pressure within container 10.
[0012] The pouch member 27 in one preferred embodiment is constructed of a three layer laminated
film having a middle layer of Saran, the external layer of Mylar and the inside layer
(interior of the pouch) being low density polyethylene, each of said layers being
approximately 2.5 mils in thickness except for the saran layer, which is only deposited
from a spray. The characteristics required or desired in said pouch is that it be
non-toxic, have sufficient mechanical strength and chemical stability, be heat sealable
(to the wall members) and flexible but not appreciably elastic or stretchable.
[0013] Wall member 32 is fabricated from material which contacts the bag 27 and is of compatible
plastic, e.g., polyethylene. In one preferred embodiment it has an overall thickness
of about 4.5 mils and is a three layer sandwich of about 0.5 mil Mylar in the middle
and about 2.0 mils low density polyethylene either side.
[0014] Wall member 33 carrying the cup-shaped depressions 34 is adapted for deep drawing
and is in one preferred embodiment a laminated plastic having an exterior layer (the
layer in contact with pouch 27) of low density polyethylene of from about 0..5 to
about 20 mils thick and an interior layer (the other side) of polypropylene of from
about 0.1 to about 3.75 mils thick or higher. It is to be understood that cavities
34 and capsule 38 may carry the citric acid and solution 37 may be sodium bicarbonate
and water, or the two carbon dioxide generating components can be switched the other
way around.
[0015] A typical formulation is for each depression 34 and the capsule 38 to be charged
with about 1 gram each of a 50% citric acid solution and the envelope content 37 to
be about 5 to 10 grams of sodium bicarbonate mixed with about 5 grams of water.
[0016] The pressure generated within container 10 is of the order of about 120 psig i20%
at an ambient temperature of about 70°F, but any desired pressure may be developed
by adjusting the stoichiometry of the particular gas-generating ingredients.
[0017] While for most practical applications of the invention sodium bicarbonate and citric
acid are normally preferred, it is possible that under particular circumstances other
materials may be more suitable such as, for example, dilute hydrochloric acid (e.g.,
10-30% even up to about 35%) in place of the citric acid, and lithium carbonate or
calcium carbonate in place of the sodium bicarbonate.
[0018] Various starting delay means can be employed in addition to dissolvable capsule 38.
[0019] The method of assembly is depicted schematically in Figs. 4-8 and 9-11. Sheet 33
is formed in a mold by heating and drawing to form cavities 34. The cavities are then
filled with one component, e.g., citric acid. Sheet 32 is overlayed on sheet 33 to
close cavities 34 and the two wall members are heat sealed together (Fig. 5) and enfoldment
31 is inserted into the open end 39 of pouch or bag 27 (Fig. 7) and the two members
31 and 27 are heat sealed together at 35. Sodium carbonate solution 37 and starting
capsule 38 are added to pouch 27 and then upper edge 30 of pouch 27 is heat sealed
to completely enclose the contents in pouch 27 (Fig. 8). The expulsion means assembly
20 is then inserted-into container 10 and product 19 added, barrier member 22 put
into place, and top 13 affixed to container 10 (Fig. 10). After elapse of the prescribed
period of time, starting capsule 38 has dissolved, generating carbon dioxide gas,
expanding pouch 27 and the dispenser is now ready for use (Fig. 11). Figs. 3, 12 and
13 show schematically how expansion of pouch 27, to separate inner sides of which
wall members 32, 33 are permanently attached, successively pulls apart portions of
releasably adhered wall members 32, 33 to successively expose the contents of each
cavity 34 and deliver it into contact and admixture with other gas generating component
37 in the bottom of the pouch.
[0020] Figs. 14-17 depict variations in the arrangement of cavities 34 and heat seals 35
as well as in configurations and relative dimensions of pouch 27 and enfoldment 31.
[0021] A dispensing apparatus containing the expulsion means of the present invention has
the following advantages and features:
1. no flammable propellants are used, thereby eliminating the dangers of prior art
assemblies;
2. the assembled containers can be steam sterilized without affecting operating performance;
3. a constant balanced internal dispensing pressure is maintained at the user's demand
and insures a· continual even flow of product at room temperature, regardless of the
amount of product remaining in the container;
4. the product never comes into contact with the propellant, eliminating any danger
of contamination of the product, such as taste or smell;
5. the dispenser will discharge its contents in any position, upright, horizontal
or inverted and without escape of propellant;
6. the spray does not chill the sprayed surface as is caused by hydrocarbon propellants;
7. there is no pollution or contamination of the atmosphere with the propellant because
it remains in the container; and
8. ease and low cost of manufacture, extended shelf life and reliability of service
make this dispenser highly advantageous over prior art dispensers.
[0022] While certain embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein,
it is to be understood that changes and additions may be made by those skilled in
the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
1. In an aerosol type dispenser, internal expulsion means for developing and maintaining
relatively constant gaseous dispensing pressure for the product being dispensed, said
means comprising an enclosed, fluid impermeable flexible pouch disposed within said
dispenser, and having a pair of facing wall members, a plurality of pocket members
disposed within said pouch in spaced relation to one another and affixed to the interior
of a first of said wall members, closure members associated with the interior of the
other said wall member and releasably closing each of said pocket members, a first
component of a two-component gas generation mixture disposed within each pocket member,
the second component of said two-component gas generation mixture disposed within
said pouch and externally of said enclosed pocket members, starting delay means disposed
within said pouch in contact with said second component for causing the initial generation
of gas after a prescribed period of time, said pocket members being sequentially severable
from said closure member to empty their contents into admixture with said second component
to generate more gas as said pouch expands due to the dispensing of said product.
2. In an aerosol type dispenser, internal expulsion means for developing and maintaining
relatively constant gaseous dispensing pressure for the product being dispensed, said
means comprising an enclosed, fluid impermeable flexible pouch disposed within said
dispenser, and having a pair of facing wall mmbers, a plurality of interconnected
pocket members disposed within said pouch in spaced relation to one another and affixed
to the interior of a first of said wall members, a common closure member associated
with the interior of the other said wall member and releasably closing each of said
pocket members, a first component of a two-component gas generation mixture disposed
within each pocket member, the second component of said two-component gas generation
mixture disposed within said pouch and externally of said enclosed pocket members,
starting delay means disposed within said pouch in contact with said second component
for causing the initial generation of gas after a prescribed period of time, each
said pocket member being sequentially severable from said closure member to empty
their contents into admixture with said second component to generate more gas as said
pouch expands due to the dispensing of said product.
3. In an aerosol type dispenser, internal expulsion means for developing and maintaining
relatively constant gaseous dispensing pressure for the product being dispensed, said
means comprising an enclosed, fluid impermeable flexible pouch disposed within said
dispenser, and having a pair of facing wall members, a plurality of interconnected
pocket members disposed within said pouch in spaced relation to one another and affixed
to the interior of a first of said wall members, a common closure member associated
with the interior of the other said wall members and releasably closing each of said
pocket members, a first component of a two-component gas generation mixture disposed
within each pocket member, the second component of said two-component gas generation
mixture disposed within said pouch and externally of said enclosed pocket members,
starting delay means carrying a portion of said first component and disposed within
said pouch in contact with said second component for causing the initial generation
of gas after a prescribed period of time, said pocket members being sequentially severable
from said closure members to empty their contents into admixture with said second
component to generate more gas as said pouch expands due to the dispensing of said
product.
4. In the apparatus of claim 3, said pouch comprised of plastic, being generally elongated
and completely enclosed, and said pocket members being disposed at spaced positions
generally longitudinally of said pouch.
5. In the apparatus of claim 4, said pocket members being formed in a plstic sheet
adhered to said first wall member and said common closure member comprised of a plastic
sheet adhered to said other wall member.
6. In the apparatus of claim 5, each said pocket member containing citric acid solution
as said first component and said pouch containing sodium bicarbonate powder and water
as said second component, and said gas being carbon dioxide.
7. In a self-pressuring dispensing apparatus of the type having an outer container,
a manually actuatable atomizing and dispensing valve on said container, a dispensible
medium within said container and means within said container for providing dispensing
pressure for said medium, the improvement comprising a liquid impermeable expansible
envelope disposed within said container, said dispensible medium disposed externally
of said envelope, a first component of a two-component gas generating composition
disposed within said envelope, and a pair of sheets permanently attached on their
outer surfaces to the inner facing surfaces of said envelope and releasably adhered
to one another, at least one of said sheets having a plurality of depressions in its
surface each carrying an aliquot of the second component of said composition, the
other sheet closing and encapsulating the second component in said depressions and
being adapted, upon outward expansion of said envelope due to the pressure of carbon
dioxide generated therein and the dispensing of said medium through said valve, to
gradually separate from said first sheet and to sequentially open the enclosed depressions
thereby permitting said aliquots of said second component to contact said first component
and generate additional carbon dioxide within said envelope.
8. In a self-pressuring dispensing apparatus -of the type having an outer container,
a manually actuatable atomizing and dispensing valve on said container, a dispensible
medium within said container and means within said container for providing dispensing
pressure for said medium, the improvement comprising a liquid impermeable expansible
envelope disposed within said container, said dispensible medium disposed externally
of said envelope, a first component of a two-component gas generating composition
disposed within said envelope, and a pair of sheets permanently attached on their
outer surfaces to the inner facing surfaces of said envelope and releasably adhered
to one another over substantially their entire contacting surfaces, at least one of
said sheets having a plurality of depressions in its surface each carrying an aliquot
of the second component of said composition, the other sheet closing and encapsulating
the second component in said depressions and being adapted, upon outward expansion
of said envelope due to the pressure of carbon dioxide gas generated therein and the
dispensing of said medium through said valve, to gradually separate from said first
sheet and to sequentially open the enclosed depressions thereby permitting said aliquots
of said second component to contact said first component and generate additional carbon
dioxide within said envelope.
9. In the apparatus of claim 7, said first component comprised of a compound selected
from the class consisting of barium carbonate, calcium carbonate and sodium'bicarbonate
and said second component being a water soluble acid.
10. In the apparatus of claim 7, said first component comprised of sodium bicarbonate
and said second component being a water soluble carboxylic acid.
11. In the apparatus of claim 7, said first component comprised of sodium bicarbonate
and said second component being citric acid.
12. In the apparatus of claim 11, said envelope comprised of a three layer laminated
plastic, the external layer being mylar polyester 0.5 to 3.00 mils in thickness, the
inner layer being low density polyethylene 0.5 to 20 mils in thickness, and the middle
layer being saran deposited by spraying at least one of the inner surfaces of said
mylar and polyethylene layers.
13. In the apparatus of claim 12, the sheet of said pair carrying said depressions
comprised of a two-layer plastic lamination having an outer layer of low density polyethylene
about 0.5 to 10.00 mils thick attached to said envelope and an inner layer of polypropylene
0.1 to 8 mils thick.
14. In the apparatus of claim 13, the other said sheet of said pair comprised of a
three layer plastic sandwich lamination having an inner Mylar layer of 0.3 to 3.00
mils thickness, the other layers of the sandwich having low density polyethylene of
0.3 to 10 mils thick each.
15. In a self-pressuring dispensing apparatus of the type having an outer container,
a manually actuatable atomizing and dispensing valve on said container, a dispensible
medium within said container and means within said container for providing dispensing
pressure for said medium, the improvement comprising a liquid impermeable expansible
envelope disposed within said container, said dispensible medium disposed externally
of said envelope, a first component of a two-component gas generating composition
disposed within said envelope, and an enfoldment of two sheets permanently adhered
on their outer surfaces to the inner facing surfaces of said envelope and releasably
adhered to one another, at least one of said sheets having a plurality of depressions
in its surface each carrying an aliquot of the second component of said composition,
the other sheet enclosing and encapsulating the second component in said depressions
and being adapted, upon outward expansion of said envelope due to the pressure of
carbon dioxide generated therein and the dispensing of said medium through said valve,
to gradually separate from said first sheet and to sequentially open the enclosed
depressions thereby permitting said aliquots of said second component to contact said
first component and generate additional carbon dioxide within said envelope.
16. In a self-pressuring dispensing apparatus of the type having an outer container,
a manually actuatable atomizing and dispensing valve on said container, a liquid medium
within said container to be dispensed, and means within said container for providing
dispensing pressure for said medium, the improvement comprising a liquid impermeable
expansible envelope disposed within said container, said liquid medium disposed externally
of said envelope, a first component of a two-component carbon dioxide generating composition
disposed within said envelope, and a pair of two generally congruent sheets permanently
adhered on their outer surfaces to the inner facing surfaces of said envelope and
releasably adhered along at least portions of their respective margins to one another,
at least one of said sheets having a plurality of cup-shaped depressions in its surface
at longitudinally spaced positions each carrying an aliquot of the second component
of said composition, the other sheet enclosing and encapsulating the second component
in said depressions and being adapted, upon outward expansion of said envelope due
to the pressure of carbon dioxide generated therein and the dispensing of said medium
through said valve, to gradually separate from said first sheet and to sequentially
open the enclosed cups thereby permitting said aliquots of said second component to
contact said first component and generate additional carbon dioxide within said envelope.
17. In a self-pressuring dispensing apparatus of the type having an outer container,
a manually actuatable atomizing and dispensing valve on said container, a liquid medium
within said container to be dispensed, and means within said container for providing
dispensing pressure for said medium, the improvement comprising a liquid impermeable
expansible envelope disposed within said container, said liquid medium disposed externally
of said envelope, a first component of a two-component carbon dioxide generating composition
disposed within said envelope, and an enfoldment of two generally congruent sheets
permanently adhered on their outer surfaces to the inner facing surfaces of said envelope,
and releasably adhered along at least portions of their respective margins to one
another, at least one of said sheets having a plurality of cup-shaped depressions
in its surface at longitudinally spaced positions each carrying an aliquot of the
second component of said composition, the other sheet enclosing and encapsulating
the second component in said depressions and being adapted, upon outward expansion
of said envelope due to the pressure of carbon dioxide generated therein and the dispensing
of said medium through said valve, to gradually separate from said first sheet and
to sequentially open the enclosed cups thereby permitting said aliquots of said second
component to contact said first component and generate additional carbon dioxide within
said envelope.
18. In the apparatus of claim 16, said first component being sodium bicarbonate solution,
said second component being citric acid solution, and said apparatus including delaying
means within said envelope encapsulating sodium bicarbonate for introducing said sodium
bicarbonate into said citric acid solution to initiate the generation of. carbon dioxide
gas within said envelope after a predetermined time delay.
19: Expulsion means for developing and maintaining relatively constant gaseous dispensing
pressure in a container for a product being dispensed from said container, said means
comprising an enclosed, fluid impermeable flexible pouch adapted to be disposed within
said container and having a pair of facing wall members, a plurality of pocket members
disposed within said pouch in spaced relation to one another and each affixed to the
interior of a respective one of said wall members, a closure member for each pocket
member associated with the interior of the other said wall member and releasably enclosing
said pocket member, a first component of a two-component gas generation mixture disposed
within each pocket member, the second component of said two-component gas generation
mixture disposed within said pouch and externally of said enclosed pocket members,
starting delay means carrying a portion of said first component and disposed within
said pouch in contact with said second component for causing the initial generation
of gas after a prescribed period of time, said pocket members being sequentially severable
from its closure member to empty its contents into admixture with said second component
to generate more gas as said pouch expands.
20. Expulsion means for developing and maintaining relatively constant gaseous dispensing
pressure in a container for a product being dispensed from the container, said means
comprising an enclosed, fluid impermeable flexible pouch adapted to be disposed within
said container and having a pair of facing wall members, a plurality of pocket members
disposed within said pouch in spaced relation to one another and affixed to the interior
of a first of said wall members, a common closure member associated with the interior
of the other said wall member and releasably enclosing each of said pocket members,
a first component of a two-component gas generation mixture disposed within each pocket
member, the second component of said two-component gas generation mixture disposed
within said pouch and externally of said enclosed pocket members, starting delay means
carrying a portion of said first component and disposed within said pouch in contact
with said second component for causing the initial generation of gas after a prescribed
period of time, said pocket members being sequentially severable from said closure
member to empty its contents into admixture with said second component to generate
more gas as said pouch expands.
21. Expulsion means for developing and maintaining relatively constant gaseous dispensing
pressure in an aerosol type dispenser for the product being dispensed, said means
comprising an enclosed, elongated fluid impermeable flexible pouch adapted to be disposed
within said dispenser, and having a pair of facing wall members, a plurality of pocket
members disposed within said pouch in spaced relation to one another and generally
longitudinally of said pouch and affixed to the interior of a first of said wall members,
a common closure member associated with the interior of the other said wall member
and releasably enclosing each of said pocket members, a first component of a two-component
gas generation mixture disposed within each pocket member, the second component of
said two-component gas generation mixture disposed within said pouch and externally
of said enclosed pocket members, starting delay means carrying a third component and
disposed within said pouch in contact with said second component for causing the initial
generation of gas after a prescribed period of time, said pocket members being sequentially
severable from said closure member to empty their contents into admixture with said
second component to generate more gas as said pouch expands.
22. In the apparatus of claim 19, said pouch comprised of laminated plastic film having
an interior layer of low density polyethylene, said pocket members comprised of laminated
plastic film having an exterior layer of low density polyethylene from about 0.5 to
about 20 mils thick and an interior layer of polypropylene from about 0.1 to about
10.00 mils thick, and said polyethylene layers of said pouch and said pocket members
being permanently heat sealed together.
23. In the apparatus of claim 22, each said closure member having at least one surface
comprised of low density polyethylene of from about 0.1 to 20 mils thick and being
permanently adhered to the interior of its associated wall member at that surface.
24. In the apparatus of claim 23, each said pocket member and its closure member being
releasably heat sealed together.