Aerosol valve and resilient operating cap and nozzle

Dec. 21, 1954

H. L. IVINS ET AL

2,697,635

AEROSOL VALVE AND RESILIENT OPERATING CAP AND NOZZLE

Filed April 26, 1950

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United States Patent Office

2,697,635

Patented Dec. 21, 1954

2,697,635

AEROSOL VALVE AND RESILIENT OPERATING CAP AND NOZZLE

Herbert L. Ivins, Brooklyn, and Harold D. North, Jr., Shaker Heights, Ohio, assignors to The Engine Parts Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio

Application April 26,1950, Serial No. 159,634

Claims. (Cl. 299—95)

This invention relates to a valve and operating means for controlling the release of pressure fluid from a container through a spray nozzle. In its preferred form it is St particularly designed for use with aerosol spray conh tainers in which liquids, paints, lacquers, insecticides and

J other fluids are maintained under pressure with a gas forming liquid, and from which fluid may be released in a fine spray or small stream upon actuation of my valve and operating arrangement.

Valves for controlling the release and spraying from pressure fluid containers of the general nature of aerosol cans require very tight sealing when closed, and it is desirable that they may be readily opened and easily and quickly closed after each use.

In many instances it has been found most practical for reasons of simplicity and economy to use a threaded needle valve which is turned to open and close. Heretofore, various attempts to provide a spring-closed valve with a manual operating means for opening have encountered the difficulties of being inordinately expensive, uncertain in operation and insecure or insufficiently tight when closed, with resulting loss of gas pressure.

The essential objects of my invention, therefore, are to provide an effectively sealed, simple, valve construction which may be cheaply manufactured with an operating means which may provide for effectively opening the valve by simple pressure of the thumb or finger, thus releasing the fluid contents through the valve and the associated spray nozzle.

Other advantages and objects include so arranging a valve and operating means that it may be conveniently applied to the can and may be very easily operated, while affording clear vision of the spray while the valve is being held open in use.

In carrying out my invention I use a spring closed valve of such construction that it may be opened with ease against the spring and internal pressure, and which is surmounted by a flexible hood engaging the movable valve stem and carrying the spray nozzle and on which finger pressure is exerted for effecting the valve opening movement. To this end the flexible hood is so designed as to be capable of being molded of resilient material, such as rubber, polyethylene or the like, which may be readily secured to the can which will hold its position (with the valve open) and yet offer only moderate resistance to depression or distortion for its valve opening movement.

A specific object includes shaping and styling of the hood portion to permit effective functioning while preserving the economy of material and assuring convenience ; of assembly with the valve and can.

Other objects will become apparent in the following description which relates to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an aerosol can, showing the valve covering and operating hood and nozzle;

Fig. 2 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of a valve covering and operating hood and the nozzle;

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section through the hood, a portion of the can top and the valve mounting showing the valve therein;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the valve operating hood in valve opening position.

Describing the structure shown in the drawings by the use of reference numerals, an aerosol can 1 is shown as of the type having an inwardly sloping portion 2, a reduced cylindrical portion 3, and an inwardly extending top portion 4 into which is fitted and secured a cover 5 having a bead-flange engagement indicated at 6 with a bead-flange of the can top opening in a somewhat domeshaped center portion 7, which in turn is provided with 5 an opening into which is fitted a valve body 10. This valve body may be suitably secured to the can cover.

As shown the valve body is of the general nature of an automobile tire valve stem into which may be removably fitted the usual valve carrier 12, through which 10 extends a spring closed valve stem 14 having a valve proper 15 at its lower end, and projecting outwardly and provided with a small head portion 16. This valve carrier member 12 is shown as provided with threads, indicated at 17, which fit internal threads in the valve-carry15 ing body 10.

As indicated, such a valve construction is that of a standard air-retaining tire valve, which because of availability and mass production may be purchased very cheaply.

However, it is to be understood that the valve construction may comprise merely a valve body, a movable valve and stem, and a spring for normally closing the same, and which may be smaller and comprise less metal. The operating hood may be modified somewhat to suit such 25 a more compact construction, may require less material and still operate after the fashion of the arrangement shown.

As a suitable securing means the valve body has a flange 20 which is brought against the top of the cover portion 30 7, while a suitable nut or securing device 21, embracing the valve stem at the inner side of the cover may be pressed against a sealing gasket 22.

The valve stem or body extends inwardly providing a nozzle portion 24 to which may be attached a feed tube 35 25 extending to the bottom of the can, if desired. However, as will presently appear, the valve body may be shortened, omitting the nozzle 24 in which case the spraying may be effected while the can is in an inverted position, as has been described in connection with the appli40 cation for patent, Ser. No. 125,916, filed November 7, 1949, now abandoned, for “Method and Means for Mixing and Spraying Paint.”

The combined nozzle and valve opening device for effectively spraying, and which is particularly useful in 45 connection with paints, lacquers, and the like, as shown, comprises a hood having a surface embracing the valve body and a surface embracing and secured to the can, and which, as will appear, permits a depressing movement engaging and opening the valve.

It is to be understood that in the use of such aerosol cans, the gas forming liquid is contained in the can with the paint, lacquer, insecticide or other liquid, and which at normal temperatures affords or provides a propelling pressure, forcing the liquid mixture to be sprayed from 55 the can consequent upon opening the valve.

By the term “gas-forming liquid” is meant a propellent preferably having a low boiling point and which tends to create pressure at room temperature of thirty or forty pounds or more per square inch, as is customary in such g0 aerosol spraying.

In the form shown, the hood portion comprises a skirt 30 embracing the cylindrical portion 3, and preferably secured there as by cementing. This skirt portion extends upwardly and is integrally joined with a thin sloping 65 wall portion 32 from which a somewhat thicker portion 34 rises in a more abrupt cone and joins with a thickened top portion 35. The top portion, in turn, is integral with a thin flexible sleeve 37 embracing and secured to the outer portion of the valve body 10, and may be held 70 thereon by cementing, surrounding it with spring wire 38, or by other means. Thickened bosses 31 may add to the appearance and strength of the flange or skirt 30.

Within the sleeve portion 37 is a box-like member 40 having a recess normally embracing the head 16 of 75 the valve stem. This boss is surrounded with a groove which communicates with the outwardly extending and upwardly sloping passage 42, which may constitute the spray nozzle or which may have an enlargement receiving a metallic spray nozzle 45, having a restricted spray g0 orifice 46.

The portion carrying the nozzle may comprise a thick2,697,635 ened box-like enlargement 48 merging with the top and side portions 35 and 34. Decorative and non-slip ribs 49 may be formed in concentric part-circles on the top portion 35, avoiding the slipping of the finger or thumb when pressed against this portion.

To actuate the valve, the finger or thumb is applied to the ribbed portion of the top 35, and the top is pressed toward the can with the result that the boss 40 with its valve head-engaging recess, moves inwardly pressing the valve stem inwardly to the open position indicated in Fig. 4, in solid lines. The amount of movement is indicated from its former position shown in the dot and dash line 35« (Fig. 4) while the valve sleeve 37 bows outwardly somewhat, as indicated at 37«. In this position the liquid paint or other content flows outwardly through the valve and out through the nozzle passage 42, being given a particularly precise form of spray by the spray nozzle when such effect is desired.

When the finger or thumb pressure is released, the resiliency of the hood and valve surrounding portion returns it to its normal position while the valve spring (not shown) returns the valve 15 to closed position indicated in Fig. 3.