Patent ID: 6394321
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: B65D

Abstract:
An aerosol valve to dispense product containing powder and/or other solids from an aerosol container, comprising in combination: a valve housing; a valve body, a valve stem, and a gasket-retaining groove encircling the valve stem; said valve stem having a discharge passage and at least one valve orifice extending through the stem wall in communication with both the groove and the discharge passage; said valve body and stem being moveable axially with respect to the valve housing between closed and open positions; an annual sealing gasket with a central opening retained within said groove and sealing the one or more valve orifices in said groove when the aerosol valve is closed; the valve body below the stem groove having a plurality of vertical splines spaced about the periphery of the valve body, the plurality of splines having top surfaces abutting and being biased against the underside of the gasket when the valve is in the closed position; a plurality of circumferential spaces extending between said splines and downwardly from the tops of said splines a substantial distance; the top surfaces of the splines having minimal areas in relation to the areas of the circumferential spaces between the tops of the splines, the minimal areas of the spline top surfaces being insufficient to allow build up thereon of product solids to interfere with gasket sealing of the at least one stem valve orifice when the valve is closed; said valve encircling groove, with the at least one valve orifice, having an upper annular surface, an intermediate annular neck portion extending downwardly from said upper surface, and a lower annular surface extending downward and outwardly at a sharp angle to the horizontal from said neck portion to the outer circumference of the valve body, said gasket sealing the lower annular groove surface when the aerosol valve is closed; said lower annular groove surface joining the outer circumference of the valve body at the level of the tops of the splines; and, said aerosol valve being characterized by the groove lower annular surface lacking any gasket sealing horizontal and concave surface components, and the valve body adjacent the groove lacking any gasket sealing horizontal components.