IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
UP-0405741
(2006-04-18)
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등록번호 |
US-7658213
(2010-04-02)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Anderson, Leif E.
- Schiller, Wolfgang F.
- Walker, Danny L.
- Zuehl, Phillip A.
- Alsleben, James H.
- Strom, Robert
- Hogan, Michael K.
- Laible, Rodney
|
출원인 / 주소 |
- Anderson Chemical Company
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
1 인용 특허 :
32 |
초록
▼
A discharge valve for a bottle or other container associated with a fluid dispensing system that substantially prevents spillage of fluid composition from the container when it is withdrawn from the dispensing system is provided according to the invention. A valve body contained within the discharge
A discharge valve for a bottle or other container associated with a fluid dispensing system that substantially prevents spillage of fluid composition from the container when it is withdrawn from the dispensing system is provided according to the invention. A valve body contained within the discharge valve is engaged by a hollow probe extending from the dispensing system when the container is operatively connected to the discharge system to automatically open the valve. When the container is withdrawn from the fluid dispensing system for, e.g., replacement or servicing, the probe of the dispensing system disengages the valve body, and a biasing means such as a compression spring within the valve assembly closes the valve very quickly. The valve body and valve seat of the valve assembly are designed in such a fashion that proper alignment and closure of the valve body with respect to the valve seat is achieved to provide a fluid-tight seal without use of a gasket or other elastomeric seal disposed between the valve body and valve seat to facilitate the fluid-tight seal.
대표청구항
▼
We claim: 1. A fluid dispensing system for regulated transfer of a fluid composition to a recipient device, such dispensing system comprising: (a) a container having upper and lower ends for containing the fluid composition, the container having a hollow neck extending upwardly from the upper end w
We claim: 1. A fluid dispensing system for regulated transfer of a fluid composition to a recipient device, such dispensing system comprising: (a) a container having upper and lower ends for containing the fluid composition, the container having a hollow neck extending upwardly from the upper end which has interior and exterior surfaces; (b) a dispenser base having an outlet port therein; (c) means for operatively connecting the neck of the container to the dispenser base; (d) a hollow probe extending from the dispenser base above the outlet port, such hollow probe having at least one inlet port therein; (e) a valve assembly inserted into the neck of the container in abutted relationship with the interior surface of the neck, the valve assembly having a valve housing with at least one inlet opening and one outlet opening, a valve body contained within the valve housing for reciprocation between a closed position wherein the valve body blocks the valve housing outlet opening to prevent passage of the fluid composition from the container, and an open position wherein the valve body is removed from the valve housing outlet opening to permit passage of the fluid composition from the container, and a spring for positively biasing the valve into its closed position; (f) means for delivering fluid composition from the outlet port of the dispenser base to the recipient device; (g) wherein connection of the container to the dispenser base causes the probe to engage the valve body to move it to its open position whereupon fluid composition may freely flow from the container through the dispenser base outlet port; and (h) wherein disconnection of the container from the dispenser base removes the probe from engagement with the valve body, so that the spring promptly biases the valve body to its closed position to substantially prevent spillage of fluid composition from the container without use of an elastomeric seal within the valve assembly between the valve body and the outlet opening. 2. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1 further comprising a recess within the valve body for engagement by the probe to ensure proper alignment of the probe with respect to the valve body to facilitate proper closure of the valve. 3. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the container is connected to the dispenser base in its inverted position. 4. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the container is connected to the dispenser base in a sideways position. 5. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the container is connected to the dispenser base in an upright position. 6. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the means for operatively connecting the container to the dispenser base comprises threads along the exterior surface of the neck of the container that engage mating threads along the interior surface of a collar extending from the dispenser base. 7. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1 further comprising a reservoir connected to the dispenser base below the outlet port for continuous receipt of fluid composition through the outlet port when the valve is in its open position for delivery to the recipient device upon demand. 8. The fluid dispensing system of claim 7, wherein the reservoir is made from a translucent or semi-translucent material to provide visual evidence of the fluid composition level within the reservoir. 9. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1 further comprising a safety shield extending upwardly from the dispensing base for containing any fluid composition that may spill upon or leak above the dispensing base outside of the container. 10. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the container is selected from a group consisting of a bottle, drum, tote, Carboy, or soft pack collapsible bottle. 11. The fluid dispensing system of claim 10, wherein the container is a four-liter bottle. 12. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1 further comprising at least one venting hole positioned in the dispenser base and means for communicating air passing through the hole into the container when the valve is in its open position in order to enhance the flow of fluid composition from the container or reduce backflow. 13. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the fluid composition is selected from the group consisting of laundry chemicals, dishware chemicals, housekeeping chemicals, cleaning chemicals, industrial water treatment chemicals, food products, food additives, additives for the paint industry, vehicle cleaning chemicals, or lubricants. 14. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the fluid composition is a concentrate that needs to be diluted in a predetermined amount to produce a solution. 15. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the fluid composition is one liquid component that needs to be admixed in a predetermined amount with a second liquid component. 16. A fluid dispensing system for regulated transfer of a fluid composition to a recipient device, such dispensing system comprising: (a) a container having upper and lower ends for containing the fluid composition, the container having a hollow neck extending upwardly from the upper end which has interior and exterior surfaces; (b) a dispenser base having an outlet port therein; (c) means for operatively connecting the neck of the container to the dispenser base; (d) a hollow probe extending from the dispenser base above the outlet port, such hollow probe having at least one inlet port therein; (e) a valve assembly inserted into the neck of the container in abutted relationship with the interior surface of the neck, the valve assembly having: (i) a valve housing with at least one inlet opening and one outlet opening; (ii) a valve body contained within the valve housing comprising a shaft with a plunger extending from its one end for reciprocation between a closed position wherein the valve body blocks the valve housing outlet opening to prevent passage of the fluid composition from the container, and an open position wherein the valve body is removed from the valve housing outlet opening to permit passage of the fluid composition from the container, the plunger having a tapered edge at its one end; (iii) a valve seat along the valve housing outlet opening for mating with the tapered edge of the plunger; (iv) and means disposed around the valve body shaft between the plunger and valve housing for biasing the valve body to its closed position; (f) means for delivering fluid composition from the outlet port of the dispenser base to the recipient device; (g) wherein connection of the container to the dispenser base causes the probe to engage the valve plunger to move it to its open position whereupon fluid composition may freely flow from the container through the dispenser base outlet port; and (h) wherein disconnection of the container from the dispenser base removes the probe from engagement with the valve plunger, so that the biasing means promptly moves the valve body to its closed position to substantially prevent spillage of fluid composition from the container. 17. The fluid dispensing system of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the valve seat is of curved contour to funnel the tapered edge of the plunger towards axial alignment of the plunger with the valve seat during valve closure. 18. The fluid dispensing system of claim 17, wherein the tapered edge of the plunger abuts one end of the curved contour of the valve seat to produce line contact for enhancing the fluid-tight seal of the valve plunger against the valve seat. 19. The fluid dispensing system of claim 16 further comprising a lip extending from the plunger end for engaging with the valve seat to ensure proper alignment of the valve plunger with respect to the valve seat. 20. The fluid dispensing system of claim 16, wherein the biasing means is a compression spring, and further comprising a plurality of stops positioned on the valve shaft for supporting one end of the spring, the other end of the spring abutting the end of the valve housing opposite to the outlet opening. 21. The fluid dispensing system of claim 16 further comprising a stem extending inwardly from the end of the valve housing opposite to the outlet opening, and wherein the valve shaft is hollow, so that the valve shaft telescopes along the valve housing stem to ensure proper alignment of the valve plunger with respect to the valve seat. 22. A container for a fluid dispensing system that regulates transfer of a fluid composition inside the container to a recipient device, such container comprising: (a) upper and lower ends and a hollow neck extending upwardly from the upper end which has interior and exterior surfaces; (b) a valve assembly inserted into the neck of the container in abutted relationship with the interior surface of the neck, the valve assembly having a valve housing with at least one inlet opening and one outlet opening, a valve body contained within the valve housing for reciprocation between a closed position wherein the valve body blocks the valve housing outlet opening to prevent passage of the fluid composition from the container, and an open position wherein the valve body is removed from the valve housing outlet opening to permit passage of the fluid composition from the container, and a spring for positively biasing the valve into its closed position; and (c) a hole located in the valve body permitting air passage into and out of the container for venting any pressure buildup in the container during storage or transport of the container. 23. The container of claim 22 further comprising a breathable membrane secured against the interior surface of the valve body overlaying the vent hole to prevent fluid composition from passing through the vent hole of the valve body and out of the container during storage or transport of the container. 24. The container of claim 23, wherein the breathable membrane is made from a thermo-mechanically expanded, thin, porous polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”) or other fluoropolymer material. 25. A fluid dispensing system for regulated transfer of a fluid composition to a recipient device, such dispensing system comprising: (a) a container having upper and lower ends for containing the fluid composition, the container having a hollow neck extending upwardly from the upper end which has interior and exterior surfaces; (b) a dispenser base having an outlet port therein; (c) means for operatively connecting the container to the dispenser base; (d) a hollow probe extending from the dispenser base above the outlet port, such hollow probe having at least one inlet port therein; (e) a valve assembly inserted into the neck of the container in abutted relationship with the interior surface of the neck, the valve assembly having: (i) a valve housing with at least one inlet opening and one outlet opening; (ii) a valve body contained within the valve housing comprising a shaft with a plunger extending from its one end for reciprocation between a closed position wherein the valve body blocks the outlet opening, and an open position, wherein the valve body is removed from the outlet opening, the plunger having a tapered portion terminating with a downwardly oriented lip at its distal end; (iii) a valve seat along the outlet opening bearing a curved portion terminating with a downwardly oriented lip at its distal end; (iv) a compression spring for biasing the valve into its closed position; (v) whereby the curved portion of the valve seat funnels the lip of the plunger towards proper axial alignment of the valve plunger with the valve seat during valve closure, the lip of the valve plunger abuts the lip of the valve seat to produce final axial alignment of the valve plunger with the valve seat, and the trailing edge of the tapered portion of the plunger abuts the trailing edge of the curved portion of the valve seat to produce line contact for enhancing the fluid-tight seal between the valve plunger and the valve seat; (f) means for delivering fluid composition from the outlet port of the dispenser base to the recipient device; (g) wherein connection of the container to the dispenser base causes the probe to engage the valve plunger to move it to its open position whereupon fluid composition may freely flow from the container through the dispenser base outlet port; and (h) wherein disconnection of the container from the dispenser base removes the probe from engagement with the valve plunger, so that the compression spring moves the valve body to its closed position to substantially prevent spillage of fluid composition from the container.
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