초록 ▼

A system and method are provided for failsafe storage and dispensing of a liquid material from a container having a storage compartment. A dispensing control unit coupled to the container includes a control valve portion operable to selectively direct a flow path of at least a portion of a pressuriz

A system and method are provided for failsafe storage and dispensing of a liquid material from a container having a storage compartment. A dispensing control unit coupled to the container includes a control valve portion operable to selectively direct a flow path of at least a portion of a pressurized fluid stream received thereby, and a response valve portion coupled to the neck portion. The response valve portion is reconfigurable between first and second states responsive to the pressurized fluid stream as directed thereto. The response valve portion in the first state seals an access opening of the container from the storage compartment, while in the second state maintains the access opening in communication with the storage compartment. The response valve portion is resiliently biased to its first state, whereby release of the liquid material therethrough is prevented in the absence of suitable fluid pressure actuation therefor. The response valve portion in certain embodiments includes a displaceable piston assembly, and in certain other embodiments a deflectable member, for selective reconfiguration between the first and second states responsive to the pressurized fluid stream.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A system for failsafe storage and dispensing of a liquid material comprising: a container having a storage compartment for the liquid material and a neck portion defining an access opening in communication with said storage compartment; and, a dispensing control unit coupled

What is claimed is: 1. A system for failsafe storage and dispensing of a liquid material comprising: a container having a storage compartment for the liquid material and a neck portion defining an access opening in communication with said storage compartment; and, a dispensing control unit coupled to said container, said dispensing control unit including: a control valve portion operable to selectively direct a flow path of at least a portion of a pressurized fluid stream received thereby, the flow path being defined entirely outside said storage compartment; and, a response valve portion coupled to said neck portion, said response valve portion being reconfigurable between first and second states responsive to the pressurized fluid stream selectively directed thereto by said control valve portion, said response valve portion in said first state sealing said access opening against communication with said storage compartment, and in said second state maintaining said access opening in communication with said storage compartment; said response valve portion being resiliently biased to said first state, the system maintaining the pressurized fluid stream within the flow path, whereby release of the liquid material therethrough is prevented in the absence of suitable fluid pressure actuation therefor. 2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said control valve portion is fixedly coupled to said response valve portion. 3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said control valve portion is detachably coupled to said response valve portion. 4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said control valve portion includes: a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween, said intermediate portion having formed therein an admission port for admission of the liquid material therethrough; and, a control member displaceably disposed in said intermediate portion for selectively directing the pressurized fluid stream entering said inlet, said control valve portion being selectively disposed thereby between at least open and closed configurations; wherein admission of the liquid material into said housing is enabled by said response valve portion being forced to said second state. 5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said response valve portion is further biased to said first state responsive to the pressure within said storage compartment exceeding ambient pressure outside said storage compartment. 6. A system for failsafe storage and dispensing of a liquid material comprising: a container having a storage compartment for the liquid material and a neck portion defining an access opening in communication with said storage compartment; and, a dispensing control unit coupled to said container, said dispensing control unit including: a control valve portion operable to selectively direct a flow path of at least a portion of a pressurized fluid stream received thereby; and, a response valve portion coupled to said neck portion, said response valve portion being reconfigurable between first and second states responsive to the pressurized fluid stream selectively directed thereto by said control valve portion, said response valve portion in said first state sealing said access opening against communication with said storage compartment, and in said second state maintaining said access opening in communication with said storage compartment; said response valve portion being resiliently biased to said first state, whereby release of the liquid material therethrough is prevented in the absence of suitable fluid pressure actuation therefore; wherein said response valve portion includes a seat member extending across said access opening and a deflectable member coupled thereto, said deflectable member having a pair of distension flap structures, said distension flap structures being in said first state conjoined in sealed manner along a separable seam and in said second state distended to separate one from the other along at least a portion of said separable seam. 7. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein said seat member defines at least one vent opening, said vent opening being alternatively sealed and unsealed relative to said storage compartment in a manner independent of the configuration of said distension flap structures, said vent opening being unsealed relative to said storage compartment when a pressure differential between ambient pressure outside the storage compartment and the pressure therein exceeds a predetermined threshold. 8. The system as recited in claim 7, wherein said deflectable member includes a deflectable vent flap projecting therefrom to extend over said vent opening, said deflectable vent flap deflecting away to at least partially expose said vent opening responsive to the pressure differential exceeding said predetermined threshold, and being biased to cover said vent opening responsive to the pressure differential remaining no greater than said predetermined threshold. 9. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein said response valve portion defines therein a fluid guide chamber for guiding at least a portion of the pressurized fluid stream to impinge transversely upon and deflect a predefined portion of said deflectable member to actuate responsive distension of at least one said distension flap structure. 10. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein said response valve portion further includes a guard member captured by said seat member about an outer wall section of said deflectable member, said guard member having at least one window formed therein to expose a portion of said outer wall section to said fluid guide chamber, whereby the pressurized fluid stream transversely impinges upon said exposed portion of said outer wall section through said window. 11. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein said seat member includes a substantially rigid valve support extending at least partially between said distension flap structures, a first portion of said substantially rigid valve support defining at least one contact surface to be engaged in face sealed manner by at least one said distension flap structure in said first state for preserving the seal of said access opening, a second portion of said substantially rigid valve support defining at least one stopping surface for stopping a predefined portion of at least one said deflectable member in said second state. 12. A system for failsafe storage and dispensing of a liquid material comprising: a container having a storage compartment for the liquid material and a neck portion defining an access opening in communication with said storage compartment; and, a dispensing control unit coupled to said container, said dispensing control unit including: a control valve portion operable to selectively direct a flow path of at least a portion of a pressurized fluid stream received thereby; and, a response valve portion coupled to said neck portion, said response valve portion being reconfigurable between first and second states responsive to the pressurized fluid stream selectively directed thereto by said control valve portion, said response valve portion in said first state sealing said access opening against communication with said storage compartment, and in said second state maintaining said access opening in communication with said storage compartment; said response valve portion being resiliently biased to said first state, whereby release of the liquid material therethrough is prevented in the absence of suitable fluid pressure actuation therefor; wherein said control valve portion includes: a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween, said intermediate portion having formed therein an admission port for admission of the liquid material therethrough; and, a control member displaceably disposed in said intermediate portion for selectively directing the pressurized fluid stream entering said inlet, said control valve portion being selectively disposed thereby between at least open and closed configurations; wherein admission of the liquid material into said housing is enabled by said response valve portion being forced to said second state; wherein said control member defines a fluid conduit and an internal compartment isolated one from the other against fluid communication therebetween, said fluid conduit having a transverse aperture extending therefrom to a first through opening for receiving liquid material passed from said responsive valve portion, said internal compartment having a second through opening formed therein for conveying the pressurized fluid stream to said response valve portion. 13. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said control valve portion further includes a manifold member fixedly disposed in said intermediate portion of said housing beneath said control member, said manifold member having formed in an upper surface thereof at least one each of first and second guiding grooves, each of said first and second guiding grooves having at least one through passage formed therein, said first and second through openings of said control member being in open communication respectively with said first and second guiding grooves in said open configuration, at least one of said first and second through openings being offset from the one of said first and second guiding grooves corresponding thereto in said closed configuration. 14. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein said control member is angularly displaceable relative to said manifold member, said control member being selectively displaceable between at least open, closed, and bypass configurations; said control member in said open configuration passing a first portion of the pressurized fluid stream received thereby through said fluid conduit and a second portion of the pressurized fluid stream through said second through opening, and maintaining said first through opening in alignment with said first guiding groove of said manifold member; said control member in said closed configuration blocking said fluid conduit against passage of pressurized fluid stream therethrough, and maintaining said first through opening offset from said first guiding groove; and, said control member in said bypass configuration passing the first portion of the pressurized fluid stream received thereby through said fluid conduit, and maintaining said first through opening offset from said first guiding groove. 15. A system for failsafe storage and dispensing of a liquid material comprising: a container having a storage compartment for the liquid material and an access opening in communication with said storage compartment; and, a dispensing control unit coupled to said container, said dispensing control unit including a control valve portion operable to selectively direct a flow path of at least a portion of a pressurized fluid stream received thereby for selectively actuating aspirated discharge of the liquid material from said storage compartment therethrough, the flow path being defined entirely outside said storage compartment, said control valve portion including: a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween, said intermediate portion having formed therein an admission port for admission of the liquid material therethrough; and, a control member displaceably disposed in said intermediate portion for selectively directing the pressurized fluid stream entering said inlet, said control valve portion being selectively disposed thereby between at least open and closed configurations; wherein admission of the liquid material into said housing is enabled by a response valve portion being forced to an unsealed state responsive to the pressurized fluid stream, the system maintaining the pressurized fluid stream within the flow path. 16. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein said response valve portion is biased to said sealed state responsive in the absence of suitable fluid pressure actuation, said response valve portion being further biased to said sealed state responsive to the pressure within said storage compartment exceeding ambient pressure outside said storage compartment. 17. A system for failsafe storage and dispensing of a liquid material comprising: a container having a storage compartment for the liquid material and an access opening in communication with said storage compartment; and, a dispensing control unit coupled to said container, said dispensing control unit including a control valve portion operable to selectively direct a flow path of at least a portion of a pressurized fluid stream received thereby for selectively actuating aspirated discharge of the liquid material from said storage compartment therethrough, said control valve portion including: a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween, said intermediate portion having formed therein an admission port for admission of the liquid material therethrough; and, a control member displaceably disposed in said intermediate portion for selectively directing the pressurized fluid stream entering said inlet, said control valve portion being selectively disposed thereby between at least open and closed configurations; wherein admission of the liquid material into said housing is enabled by a response valve portion being forced to an unsealed state responsive to the pressurized fluid stream; wherein said control member defines a fluid conduit and an internal compartment isolated one from the other against fluid communication therebetween, said fluid conduit having a transverse aperture extending therefrom to a first through opening for receiving liquid material passed from said response valve portion, said internal compartment having a second through opening formed therein for conveying the pressurized fluid stream to said response valve portion. 18. The system as recited in claim 17, wherein said control valve portion further includes a manifold member fixedly disposed in said intermediate portion of said housing beneath said control member, said manifold member having formed in an upper surface thereof at least one each of first and second guiding grooves, each of said first and second guiding grooves having at least one through passage formed therein, said first and second through openings of said control member being in open communication respectively with said first and second guiding grooves in said open configuration, at least one of said first and second through openings being offset from the one of said first and second guiding grooves corresponding thereto in said closed configuration. 19. The system as recited in claim 18, wherein said control member is angularly displaceable relative to said manifold member, said control member being selectively displaceable between at least open, closed, and bypass configurations; said control member in said open configuration passing a first portion of the pressurized fluid stream received thereby through said fluid conduit and a second portion of the pressurized fluid stream through said second through opening, and maintaining said first through opening in alignment with said first guiding groove of said manifold member; said control member in said closed configuration blocking said fluid conduit against passage of pressurized fluid stream therethrough, and maintaining said first through opening offset from said first guiding groove; and, said control member in said bypass configuration passing the first portion of the pressurized fluid stream received thereby through said fluid conduit, and maintaining said first through opening offset from said first guiding groove. 20. A system for failsafe storage and dispensing of a liquid material comprising: a container having a storage compartment for the liquid material and a neck portion defining an access opening in communication with said storage compartment; and, a dispensing control unit coupled to said container, said dispensing control unit including a response valve portion disposed substantially within said neck portion, said response valve portion being operable to alternatively seal and unseal said access opening responsive to a pressurized fluid stream selectively directed thereto through a flow path defined outside said storage compartment, said response valve portion including a deflectable member having a pair of distension flap structures cooperatively forming a separable seam, said distension flap structures in a first state being continuously engaged one with the other along said separable seam and in a second state being separated one from the other along at least a portion of said separable seam for passage of the liquid material therethrough, said distension flap structures being biased to said first state; wherein the system maintains the pressurized fluid stream within the flow path. 21. The system as recited in claim 20, wherein said response valve portion includes a seat member extending across said access opening, said seat member defining a substantially rigid valve support extending at least partially between said distension flap structures to form at least one stopping surface engaged by a predefined portion of said deflectable member in said second state. 22. The system as recited in claim 21, wherein said response valve portion defines therein a fluid guide chamber for guiding at least a portion of the pressurized fluid stream directed thereto to impinge transversely upon and deflect said predefined portion of said deflectable member to actuate responsive distension of at least one said distension flap structure. 23. The system as recited in claim 22, wherein said response valve portion further includes a guard member captured by said seat member about an outer wall section of said deflectable member, said guard member having at least one window formed therein to expose a portion of said outer wall section to said fluid guide chamber, whereby the pressurized fluid stream transversely impinges upon said exposed portion of said outer wall section through said window. 24. The system as recited in claim 21, wherein said substantially rigid valve support of said seat member defines at least one contact surface engaged in face sealed manner by said deflectable member in said first state for preserving the seal of said access opening. 25. The system as recited in claim 20, wherein said distension flap structures of said deflectable member are further biased to said first state responsive to the pressure within said storage compartment exceeding ambient pressure outside said storage compartment. 26. A system for failsafe storage and dispensing of a liquid material comprising: a container having a storage compartment for the liquid material and a neck portion defining an access opening in communication with said storage compartment; and, a dispensing control unit coupled to said container, said dispensing control unit including a response valve portion disposed substantially within said neck portion, said response valve portion being operable to alternatively seal and unseal said access opening responsive to a pressurized fluid stream selectively directed thereto, said response valve portion including a deflectable member having a pair of distension flap structures cooperatively forming a separable seam, said distension flap structures in a first state being continuously engaged one with the other along said separable seam and in a second state being separated one from the other along at least a portion of said separable seam for passage of the liquid material therethrough, said distension flap structures being biased to said first state; wherein: said response valve portion includes a seat member extending across said access opening, said seat member defining at least one vent opening through said access opening, said vent opening being sealed and unsealed relative to said storage compartment in a manner independent of the configuration of said distension flap structures, said vent opening being unsealed when a pressure differential between ambient pressure outside said storage compartment and the pressure therein exceeds a predetermined threshold; and, said deflectable member includes a deflectable vent flap projecting therefrom to extend over said vent opening, said deflectable vent flap deflecting away to at least partially expose said vent opening responsive to the pressure differential exceeding said predetermined threshold, and sealing said vent opening responsive to the pressure differential remaining no greater than said predetermined threshold.