Patent ID: 6769573
Filing Date: 2004-08-03
Classification: B05B,B65D

Abstract:
A selection valve for a multi-chambered fluid container including a plurality of container outlet openings in fluid communication with various container chambers for storing fluids therein, with the valve having a closure assembly comprising a threaded closure attachable to a fluid container, a lower stop ring partially engaging the threaded closure and a lower gasket engaging the lower stop ring on one side and the fluid container on the other to form a seal therebetween, the selection valve comprising:a) an outer housing having an offset bore therethrougth for receiving and conducting a singular fluid from the multi-chambered fluid container, a recessed inner surface and a plurality of peripheral molded-in snap beams, b) an upper gasket having a centrally located circular hole therein, contiguously engaging the inner surface of said outer housing, c) an inner housing in intimate contact with the upper gasket, said inner housing having a upper end and a lower intake end, with the lower end having a plurality of intake ports and means thereon for releasably connecting said lower intake end of said inner housing to at least two separate chambers of the container, at least two fluid communicating inner housing channels positioned between the upper and lower intake end thereof and a plurality of peripheral molded-in snap beams, d) a molded spring detent having a pair of outward-extending cylindrical nose pins slideably disposed upon the inner housing with the pins protruding externally, and e) a detent ring having a plurality of snap-in slots interfacing with the snap beams of the outer housing, said detent ring having a plurality of flow positions and a plurality of shutoff positions, with each position defined as a radial groove that interfaces with said spring detent such that when the inner housing is rotated, the pins enter the grooves and maintain the inner housing at a desired location, wherein said inner housing snaps into said closure assembly, which comprises the threaded closure having the lower stop ring and lower gasket disposed thereon to permit a fluid flow path to be formed between a specific compartment in a container and the offset bore in the outer housing, which is selected by rotating the outer housing relative to the threaded closure attached to the multi-chambered fluid container.