Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
3L2~
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
, .
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to fluid sprinkling and more particularly to
an apparatus for receiving and measuring a quantity of fluid from a
filling device.
Description of the Prior Art
Various types of apart have been devised in the prior art for
receiving and measuring a quantity of fluid from a filling device. Some
apart incorporate pressure valves for determining the content of
fluid under pressure within a container. Others in the prior art have
incorporated translucent sidewalls with markings disposed thereon for
indicating the quantity of fluid material within the container. The
applications of this basic principle are numerous and extend into van-
ions diverse arts and fields of speciality.
A particular problem for receiving, measuring and mixing quanta-
ties of fluids exists in the beauty industry. A cosmetologist typically
is required to measure difex en quantities of different fluids prior to
application to the hair of a customer . The mixing is generally accom-
polished within a fluid sprinkling container having flexible translucent
sidewalls and a nozzle to sprinkle fluid from the nozzle upon collapsing
the sidewalls of the container. The container typically contains mark-
ins disposed on the side of the container for indicating the quantity of
fluid therein. The operator fills the container with a first fluid to a
first fluid level and subsequently fills the container with a second fluid
27 to a second fluid level through an open mouth in the top of the con-
trainer. A dispensing orifice and cap is inserted on the open mouth of
the container for dispensing the mixed fluids from the interior of the
container .
It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the prior
art dispensing container has no provision for enabling filling from an
aerosol device. Some in the prosier art have attempted to utilize or
develop a container which is suitable for filling with an aerosol device.
U. S. Patent 3,559,701 discloses a refillable sprayer apparatus employ-
in a filling valve and an air release valve which are directly or India
neatly mechanically linked to provide sufficient filling of the sprayer
while at the same time preventing overfilling and the resultant loss of
excess liquid. This device overcame some of the problems of the prior
art devices but unfortunately was overly complex and was not widely
accepted in the marketplace.
Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus
which overcomes the aforementioned inadequacies of the prior art de-
vices and provides an improvement which is a significant contribution to
the advancement of the fluid sprinkling art.
Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for
receiving and measuring a quantity of fluid from a fluid filling device
comprising a container having a substantially flat container bottom for
resting on a horizontal surface with a sealing valve disposed proximate
the container bottom and adapted to receive fluid from the filling de-
vice, enabling the container to be filled to a desired fluid level from
2 O the fluid filling device .
Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for
receiving and measuring a quantity of fluid from a fluid filling device
utilizing a substantially rigid base with the sealing valve disposed
therein with substantially translucent and flexible sidewalls, enabling
sprinkling of fluid from a dispensing orifice in the container.
Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for
27 receiving and measuring a quantity of fluid from a fluid filling device
wherein the sealing valve enables fluid flow into the container and
prevents fluid flow out of the container.
Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for
receiving and measuring a quantity of fluid from a fluid filling device
wherein the sealing valve is contained in a container boss extending
us
from the container bottom to be internal the container with an annular
recess disposed in the container base in fluid communication with the
sealing valve for providing sealing engagement with a discharge port of
the fluid filling device.
Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for
receiving and measuring a quantity of fluid from a fluid filling device
incorporating novel sealing valve means of various designs.
Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for
receiving and measuring a quantity of fluid from a fluid filling device
which is inexpensive and is compatible for use with conventional aerosol
devices enabling the apparatus to be widely accepted in the market-
place .
The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of
the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely thus-
trative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the
intended invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by
applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the
invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other ox-
jets and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by refer-
2 0 ring to the summary of the invention and the detailed description
describing the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the
invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accom-
paying drawings.
SKYE
SEYMOUR OF THE INVENTION
The invention it defined by the appended claims with a specific
embodiment shown in the attached drawings. For the purpose of sum-
marizing the invention, the invention may be incorporated into an
apparatus for receiving and measuring a quantity of fluid from a filling
device comprising container means having a substantially flat container
bottom for resting on a horizontal surface. The container means has
translucent sidewall means with marking means disposed on the sidewall
means of the container means enabling an operator to determine the
quantity of fluid therein by viewing the fluid level in the container
means relative to the marking means. A sealing valve is disposed
proximate the container bottom and adapted to receive fluid from the
filling device, enabling the container to be filled to a desired fluid
level from the fluid filling device. A dispensing orifice is in fluid
communication with the interior of the container for dispensing fluid
from the container.
In a more specific embodiment of the invention, the container
means includes a container having an opening disposed in the top of the
container and a container cover for sealing engagement with the opening
of the container with the container cover having the dispensing orifice
disposed therein. The sidewall means of the container is preferably
flexible, enabling the operator to depress the container to discharge
fluid from the dispensing orifice. The sealing valve means enables fluid
flow into the container means and prevents fluid flow out of the con-
trainer means. In one embodiment of the invention the container means
includes a substantially rigid container base for receiving the sealing
27 valve therein and for defining the substantially flat container bottom.
The container means also comprises flexible sidewall means secured to
the container base, enabling the operator of the apparatus to depress
the flexible sidewalls to discharge fluid from the dispensing orifice.
Preferably the sealing valve is disposed in a container boss extending
from the container bottom to be inside of the container means. An
50~6
annular recess is disposed in the container base in fluid communication
with the sealing valve means or providing sealing engagement with a
- discharge port of the fluid filling device.
The sealing valve means may take various forms, each of which are
designed to be easily fabricated and reliable in operation. More specie
focally, the sealing valve includes a valve chamber having an input and
an output communicating with the exterior and interior of the container
respectively. The valve chamber has a sealing surface disposed be-
tweet the input and output of the valve chamber. A movable valve
element is disposed in the chamber with resilient means biasing the
movable valve element into sealing engagement with the sealing surface
and for enabling displacement of the movable valve element in response
to fluid pressure from the fluid filling device.
In one embodiment, the resilient means comprises at least a portion
of the valve chamber being resilient for biasing the movable valve
element into sealing engagement with the sealing surface.
In another embodiment of the invention, the resilient means come
proses at least a portion of the movable valve element being resilient for
biasing the movable valve element into sealing engagement with the
sealing surface.
In still a further embodiment of the invention, the valve may
comprise a resilient valve chamber, including a sphincter valve for
enabling fluid flow only in a direction into the container.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the movable valve
element comprises a rigid spherical member disposed within the valve
chamber and the resilient means includes the valve chamber having a
2 7 plurality of resilient legs biasing the spherical member into sealing
engagement with the sealing surface.
In another embodiment of the invention 9 the resilient means in-
eludes a movable valve element having a plurality of resilient legs for
cooperation with the valve chamber for biasing the movable valve eye-
mint into sealing engagement with the sealing surface.
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The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and
important features of the present invention in order that the detailed
description of the invention that follows may be better understood so
that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated.
Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which
form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be apple-
elated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific
embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or
designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the
present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the
art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invent
lion, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken
in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a side elevation Al view of an apparatus in accordance
with the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a top portion of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a bottom portion of Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is an enlarged partial side sectional view of the sealing
valve of Fig. 2;
Fig. 6 is a plan view of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is the valve of Fig. 5 in the open position;
Fig. 8 it a plan view of Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is a side elevation Al view illustrating the filling of the
container of Fig. 1 with a first fluid;
Fig. 10 is a side elevation Al view illustrating the filling of the
container of Fig. 1 with a second fluid;
Fig. 11 is a side elevation Al view illustrating the mixture of the
2 0 first and second fluids in the container of Fig . 1;
Fig. 12 is an enlarged side sectional view of a second embodiment
of a sealing valve suitable for use with the invention shown in Fig. l;
Fig. 13 is a plan view of Fig. 12;
Fig. 14 is the valve of Fig. 12 in the open position;
Fig. I is a plan view of Fig. 14;
Fig. 16 is an enlarged side sectional view of a third embodiment of
2 7 a sealing valve suitable for use with the invention shown in Fig . 1;
Fig. 17 is a plan view of Fig. 16;
Fig. lug is the valve of Fig. 16 in the open position;
Fig. 19 is a plan view of Fig. 18;
Fig. 20 is an enlarged side sectional view of a fourth esnbodiment
of a sealing valve suitable for use with the invention shown in Fig. l;
so
Fig. 21 is a sectional view along lines 21-21 if, Fig. 20;
Fig. 22 is the valve of Fig. 20 in the open position;
Fig. 23 is an enlarged side sectional view of a fifth
embodiment of a valve suitable for use with the invention shown
in Figure 1;
Fig. 24 is a view along lines 24-24 in Fig. 23;
Fig. 25 is the valve of Fig. 23 shown in the open position;
Fig. 26 is an enlarged side sectional view of a sixth
embodiment of a sealing valve suitable for use with the invention
shown in Fig. l;
Fig. 27 is the valve of Fig. 26 in the open position;
Fig. 28 is an elevation Al view of a seventh embodiment of the
present invention; and
Fig. 29 is a side sectional view of the base of the
embodiment shown in Fig. 28.
icky
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate an apparatus 10 for receiving and measure
in a quantity of fluid from a filling device. A first filling device 11 is
shown in Fig. 1 and a second filling device 12 is shown in Fig. 10.
The first filling device 11 is shown as an aerosol device comprising an
aerosol container lea having a conventional mounting cup 11B and a
conventional valve stem shown in Fig. 7. The second filling device 12
comprises a pump container AYE having a pump 12B and a pump stem
12C. The structure of the aerosol valve assembly and the pump asset-
1 by and the operation thereof should be well known to those skilled in
the art.
The apparatus 10 comprises container means 14 having a sub Stan-
tidally flat container bottom 16 for resting on a substantially horizontal
surface . The container means 14 comprises a container base 18 having
an outer sidewall 20 and an inner sidewall 22 with a lip I providing
the substantially flat bottom 16. The container base 18 includes a boss
28 for receiving a sealing valve 30 to be internal the container means
14. The container base 18 also includes recesses 32 and 34 shown more
fully in Figs . 7 and 3 for cooperation with the valve stem llC and the
pump stem 12C.
The container means 14 includes a flexible translucent sidewall 36
having marking means 38 disposed thereon enabling the operator to
determine the quantity of fluid in the container means 14 by viewing
the fluid level through the translucent sidewall 36 relative to the mark-
in means 28.
The upper portion of the container means 14 comprises an spooning
2 7 40 having a molded mouth 42 as shown more fully in Fig . 3 with threads
44 extending about the outer periphery of the mouth 42. A container
cover 46 includes an integral nozzle 48 with a dispensing orifice 50 at
the terminal end thereof. The container cover includes a sidewall 52
having threads 54 for locking engagement with the threads 44 of mouth
42 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The engagement between the treads 44
and 54 results in a fluid tight seal between the sidewall 36 and the
container cover 46 enabling the operator to squeeze the flexible side-
walls 36 to dispense fluid from the dispensing orifice 50.
In a similar manner, the bottom of the container means 14 come
proses an opening 56 having a molded mouth 57 as shown more fully in
Fig. 4, with threads 58 for cooperation with threads 60 extending from
the inner sidewall 22. The engagement between the threads 58 and 60
results in a fluid tight seal between the sidewalls 36 and the container
base 18. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
molded mouth 44 and the molded mouth 57 may be identical, enabling
the container to be assembled irrespective of the orientation relative to
the container cover or the container base 18. The use of identical top
and bottom portions also facilitates fabrication of the apparatus.
Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate side sectional and plan views of a first
embodiment of the sealing valve 30 which is shown in the invention of
Figs. 1-4. In this embodiment, the boss 28 includes a plurality of
resilient legs 61-64 with spaces 65-68 established there between. A
valve chamber 69 has a rigid spherical sealing member 70 disposed
therein and biased by the resilient legs 61-64 into sealing engagement
with an annular sealing surface 72 located between a valve input 81 and
a valve output 32.
Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate the insertion of a valve stem llC into
recess 32. Pressure from the propellant of the aerosol device causes
deflection of the resilient legs 61-64 to displace the sealing element 70
from the sealing surface 72 9 thereby enabling product and propellant to
be transferred into the container means 14 by the operator while monk-
2 7 toning the fluid level in the container means 14 relative to the marking
means 38. The recess 32 is preferably established for sealing engage-
mint with the valve stem 11 C to prevent the spillage of proud at and
propellant from the container 14 during the filling process.
Fig. 9 illustrates the filling of the container means 14 by a first
filling device 11 whereby the first filling device 11 is placed on a
substantially horizontal surface (not shown) and the apparatus 10 is
inserted thereon to depress the valve stem llC to discharge the first
fluid into the container 14 to a first fluid level 91.
Fig. 10 illustrates the filling of the container 14 to a second fluid
level 92 by a second fluid from the second filling device 12. The pump
stem 12C of the pump 12B is received within the recess 3atB as shown
in Fig. 18 to provide for a fluid tight seal. The second fluid is then
pumped into the container 14 by conventional pumping action. The
container 14 may be adapted to receive a cap 84 to enable mixing of the
first and second fluids by shaking prior to use by the operator.
The instant invention provides a novel and simple method of mixing
a measured amount of first and second fluids within a fluid sprinkling
container from an aerosol filling device or a pump device. The invent
lion provides a minimum of spillage and the requirement of cleaning only
one container since the measuring and dispensing is accomplished within
the container means 14. The use of aerosol filling devices and pump
devices further adds to the convenience of the present invention.
Now that the first embodiment of the present invention has been
set forth, numerous variations of the valving assembly may be provided
for various applications and various fluids as should be well known to
those skilled in the art. jigs. 12-15 illustrate a second embodiment of
a sealing valve AYE disposed in a boss AYE having recesses AYE and
AYE. The sealing valve AYE comprises an input AYE and an output AYE
with a resilient diaphragm AYE captured between the boss AYE and a
cap AYE having a port defining the valve output AYE. A sealing sun-
face AYE is disposed on the boss AYE. The resilient diaphragm AYE may
27 be a resilient rubber material or the like.
Figs. 14 and 15 illustrate the application of fluid pressure from
valve stem llC sealingly engaging with recess AYE. Upon application of
fluid pressure from the first filling device 11, the resilient sealing
element AYE is displaced from the sealing surface AYE, enabling fluid
Queue
flow through the valve 30~ to fill the container lay in accordance with
the requirements of the operator.
Figs. 16-19 illustrate a third embodiment of a sealing valve 30B
disposed on boss 28B comprising a valve input 81B and a valve output
82B. In this embodiment, the valve element is defined in a flexible
rubber valve element 70B having sealing surfaces 72B and byway. The
valve element 70B is secured to boss 28B by a cap 76B. The valve
element 70B is commonly referred to as a sphincter valve enabling fluid
flow only from the input 81 to the output 82 upon application of fluid
1 0 pressure . Figs . 16 and 17 illustrate the unattended position or closed
position of the sealing valve wherein the sealing surfaces 72B and byway
are collapsed by the internal resiliency to form a fluid tight seal.
Figs. 18 and 19 illustrate the open position of the valve whereby
fluid pressure from the pump stem 12C deforms the resilient valve
element 70B to displace sealing surfaces 72B from the adjacent sealing
surface byway to provide for fluid input into the container. The cap 76B
may be secured to the boss 28B by means well known in the art.
Figs. 20-22 illustrate a fourth embodiment of a sealing valve 30C
disposed in boss 28C between an input 81C and an output 82C. In this
embodiment, the boss 28C includes a bore 62C for receiving a plug
which is shown in section in Fig . 21. The plug comprises a plurality of
spaces 65C-68C for enabling fluid flow there through.
The upper perimeter 70C of the plug engages with a sealing sun-
face 72C as shown in Fig. 20, Upon application of fluid pressure by
valve stem 11C, the outer periphery 70C is deformed and displaced from
sealing surface 72C to enable fluid flow into the container as heretofore
27 described .
Figs. 23-25 illustrate a fifth embodiment of the invention showing a
sealing valve ED comprising a boss 28D having an input 81D and an
output 82D. In this embodiment, the boss provides a valve chamber
69D having a partially conical sealing surface 72D for a movable valve
element 70D. The valve element 70D is shown in plan view in Fig. 24
Lo
to comprise three resilient legs hlD-63D defining spaces 65D-67D there-
between. The valve element 70D is retained within the valve chamber
69D further defined by a cap 76D having a conical internal surface 78D.
Fig. 25 illustrates the application of fluid pressure whereby the
resilient legs 61D-63D are deformed inwardly, enabling the valve eye-
mint 70D to be displaced from the sealing surface 72D to allow fluid to
pass from input 81D through output 82D. The resilient legs 61D-63D in
combination with the conical surface 78D provide a resilient bias to
resiliently urge valve element 70D into sealing engagement with sealing
surface 72~.
Figs. 26 and 27 illustrate a sixth embodiment of the invention
showing a sealing valve EYE comprising a boss EYE having an input EYE
and an output valve BYE. In this embodiment, the boss provides a
valve chamber EYE having a partial conical sealing surface EYE for a
movable valve element EYE. The movable valve element EYE is identical
to the valve element 70D shown in Figs. 23 and 24 and comprises resin-
tent legs EYE and EYE with a space EYE there between. In this embody-
mint, the valve element EYE is retained within the valve chamber with
the valve chamber being an integral unit having a plurality of valve
chamber legs shown as EYE and EYE, defining spaces there between, one
shown as space EYE. The resilient legs EYE and EYE and two remailing
legs, which are not shown in Figs. 26 and 27, enable the movable valve
element 70 to be inserted within the valve chamber by outwardly de-
forming the valve chamber legs EYE and EYE providing a two-piece valve
system with the boss being a single element and the movable valve
chamber being a second element.
2 7 Fig . 27 illustrates the application of fluid pressure whereby the
resilient legs EYE and EYE in combination with the resilient legs EYE and
EYE deform, enabling the valve element to be displaced from the sealing
surface EYE to allow fluid to pass from input EYE through output EYE.
The resilient legs EYE and EYE in combination with a conical surface EYE
on the inner portion ox the chamber legs EYE and EYE provide a
14
SLY
resilient bias to resiliently urge valve element EYE into sealing
engagement with the sealing surface EYE. Preferably, the
resilient legs EYE and EYE are more easily deformed than the
chamber legs EYE and EYE to insure that the valve element EYE
Rollins within the valve chamber EYE.
Figs. 28 and 29 show a seventh embodiment of` the present
invention comprising an apparatus 110 including a container means
114 having a substantially flat container bottom 116 for resting
on a substantially horizontal surface. The container means 114
comprises a container base 118 having an outer sidewall 120 with
a lip 126 providing the substantially flat bottom 116. The
container base 118 includes a boss 128 for receiving a sealing
valve 130 to be internal the container means 114. The sealing
valve 130 is similar to that shown in Figs. 5 and 6 and operates
in a similar manner thereto.
The container base 118 includes a recess 132 for co-operation
with the valve stem 1~C in addition to including a recess 134 for
co-operation with the pump stem 12C as heretofore described.
The container means 114 includes a flexible translucent
sidewall 136 having marking means 138 disposed thereon enabling
the operator to determine the quantity of fluid in the container
means 114 by viewing the fluid level through the translucent
sidewall 136 relative to the marking means 138. The upper portion
of the container means 114 comprises a nozzle 140 having an
opening 142 which is integrally formed with the sidewalls 136 of
the container means.
The container base 118 includes means to affix the base 118
to the sidewalls 136 of the container 114 . In this ennbodiment,
threads 130 are disposed internal the base 118 for co-operation
31~2~5~
with threads (not shown) molded into the lower portion of the
container 114 in a manner similar to Figs. 2 and 4. Although
threads have been illustrated to affix the container 114 to the
base 11~, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art
that various other means may be employed to provide a fluid-tight
engagement there between.
The embodiment shown in Figs. I and 2g has the
additional advantage of an integral nozzle 140 with an opening
142 therein further reducing the cost and providing a more
anesthetically pleasing container for industries such as the
beauty industry and the like.
The present disclosure includes that contained in the
appended claims as well as that of the foregoing description.
Although this invention has been described in its preferred form
with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that
the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only
by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of
construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be
resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
