Valve assembly for dispensing container

A mixing valve assembly is provided for a container structure. The mixing valve assembly includes a valve stem having an inlet within the container structure and an outlet external of the container structure. The valve stem is movable between a first depressed position wherein the composition is retained in the container structure and a second position wherein the composition exits the container structure through the outlet of the valve stem. A generally concave biasing structure extends from the valve stem and urges the valve stem toward the first position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
 This invention relates generally to containers, and in particular, to a
 valve assembly for a dispensing container which facilitates the mixing of
 a plurality of compositions during discharge thereof from the dispensing
 container.
 BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 It is known to provide a dispensing container which allows for the
 dispensing of more than one flowable substances contained therein through
 a single nozzle. Typically, these types of dispensing containers include
 separate compartments for receiving corresponding compositions prior to
 use. The nozzle releases the compositions from their compartments and from
 the dispensing container. A chamber is provided in the nozzle for mixing
 the composition just prior to flowing from the nozzle since many
 compositions cannot be mixed until use.
 In view of the foregoing, dispensing containers must be capable of mixing
 the compositions stored therein in proper proportions and only in those
 amounts required for use at one time. In order to insure that properly
 metered amounts of compositions are mixed, various types of mixing valve
 assemblies have been developed. However, such prior art mixing valve
 assemblies are often times constructed using numerous parts making
 assembly difficult and time consuming. In addition, by utilizing a great
 number of parts, such prior art mixing valve assemblies are expensive to
 manufacture and may be more prone to failure.
 Therefore, it is a primary object and feature of the present invention to
 provide a mixing valve assembly for a dispensing container which is simple
 and inexpensive to manufacture.
 It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide a
 mixing valve assembly for a dispensing container which properly meters a
 plurality of compositions stored in the dispensing container during
 dispensing of the compositions therefrom.
 It is a still further object and feature of the present invention to
 provide a mixing valve assembly for a dispensing container which
 incorporates a minimum number of parts and which are less prone to failure
 than prior art devices.
 In accordance with the present invention, a mixing valve assembly is
 provided for a container structure. The container structure has a first
 chamber for storing a primary composition, a second chamber for storing a
 secondary composition, and a dispensing member for urging the primary
 composition from the first chamber and the secondary composition from the
 second chamber. The mixing valve assembly includes a valve housing
 extending along a longitudinal axis and defining a first flow chamber. The
 valve housing includes a first opening in communication with the first
 chamber, and a second opening in communication with the second chamber,
 and a third opening communicating with the environment external to the
 container structure. A first seal is disposed in the second opening in the
 valve housing for isolating the second chamber from the flow chamber. A
 second seal is disposed in the third opening in the valve housing for
 isolating the flow chamber from the environment external of the container
 structure. A valve stem extends along a longitudinal axis through the
 first and second seals and has a central passageway therethrough. The
 valve stem has an inlet, an outlet external of the container structure,
 and a mixing opening therebetween. The valve stem is movable between a
 first position wherein the inlet is closed by the first seal and wherein
 the mixing opening is closed by the second seal and a second depressed
 position wherein the inlet is in communication with the second chamber and
 the mixing opening is in communication with the flow chamber. A generally
 concave biasing structure extends from the valve stem and urges the valve
 stem into the first position.
 A sealing structure extends radially from the valve stem at a location
 adjacent the mixing opening such that the sealing structure engages the
 second seal when the valve stem is in the first position. The sealing
 structure, as well as, the biasing structure is integrally formed with the
 valve stem. A generally tubular limiter member is positioned about the
 valve stem and has first and second opposite ends. The first end has a
 radially extending disc projecting therefrom in engagement with the first
 seal. The biasing structure engages the second end of the limiter member
 when the valve stem is in the depressed position. The biasing structure
 includes a first end interconnected to the valve stem and a second end
 terminating at a location radially spaced from the valve stem. The
 terminal end of the biasing structure includes an annular seal formed
 thereon. The annular seal engages the valve housing. It is contemplated
 that the biasing structure have a generally bell-shaped configuration.
 In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention, a valve
 assembly is provided for a container structure holding a composition. The
 valve assembly includes a valve having an inlet within the container
 structure and an outlet external of the container structure. The valve is
 movable between a first position wherein the composition is contained in
 the container structure and a second position wherein the composition
 exits the container structure through the outlet of the valve. A generally
 concave biasing structure extends from the valve stem for urging the valve
 stem into the first position.
 The biasing structure is integrally formed with the valve and includes a
 first end interconnected to the valve and a second terminal end
 terminating at a location radially spaced from the valve. A valve housing
 extends from the container structure about the valve. The terminal end of
 the biasing structure includes an annular seal formed thereon which
 engages the valve housing. It is contemplated that the biasing structure
 have a generally bell-shaped configuration.
 In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention, a
 mixing valve assembly is provided for a container structure. The container
 structure has a first chamber for storing a primary composition, a second
 chamber for storing a secondary composition, and a dispensing member for
 urging the primary composition from the first chamber and the secondary
 composition from the second chamber. The mixing valve assembly includes a
 valve housing extending along a longitudinal axis and defining a first
 flow chamber. The valve housing includes a first opening in communication
 with the first chamber, a second opening in communication with the second
 chamber, and a third opening in communication with the environment
 external of the container structure. A first seal is disposed in the
 second opening in the valve housing for isolating the second chamber from
 the flow chamber. A second seal is disposed in the third opening of the
 housing for isolating the flow chamber from the environment external of
 the container structure. A valve stem extends along the longitudinal axis
 through the first and second seals and has a central passageway
 therethrough. The valve stem has an inlet, an outlet external of the
 container structure, and a mixing opening therebetween. The valve stem is
 movable between a first position wherein the inlet is closed by the first
 seal and wherein the mixing opening is closed by the second seal and a
 second depressed position wherein the inlet is in communication with the
 second chamber and the mixing opening is in communication with the flow
 chamber. A generally concave biasing structure is integrally formed with
 the valve stem and urges the valve stem into the first position. The
 biasing structure includes a terminal end radially spaced from the valve
 stem for engaging the valve housing. A generally tubular limiter member is
 positioned about the valve stem and includes a first end having a radially
 extending disc projecting therefrom in engagement with the first seal and
 a second end engaging the biasing structure when the valve stem is in the
 depressed position.
 The terminal end of the biasing structure includes an annular seal formed
 thereon. The annular seal engages the valve housing and the disc of the
 limiter member. It is contemplated that the biasing structure have a
 generally bell-shaped configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
 Referring to FIG. 1, a container structure in accordance with the present
 invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. As is
 conventional, container 10 includes an outer shell 12, a nozzle 14 and a
 valve assembly 16. As hereinafter described, depression of nozzle 14
 results in a dispensing of a mixture of a primary and a secondary
 composition which are stored within container structure 10.
 Outer shell 12 of container structure 10 includes a generally tubular side
 wall 18 having an outer surface 20 and an inner surface 22 defining a
 first chamber 24 within container structure 10. Side wall 18 includes a
 first end 26 closed by a bottom wall 28 and an opposite second end 30
 having an opening 32 therein for accommodating valve assembly 16. Second
 end 30 of outer shell 12 includes first and second longitudinally spaced
 stop surfaces 34 and 36, respectively, for reasons hereinafter described.
 A piston 38 is disposed within first chamber 24 in outer shell 12 and
 divides first chamber 24 into a first portion 40 for receiving the primary
 composition therein and a second portion 42 for receiving a compressed gas
 therein. Piston 38 includes a first sealing portion 44 having an outer
 surface 46 engaging the inner surface 22 of a side wall 18 such that the
 interface 48 therebetween forms a seal to retain the primary composition
 within the first portion 40 of first chamber 24 and to retain the
 compressed gas within the second portion 42 of first chamber 24.
 Piston 38 further includes a stopping surface 50 which is longitudinally
 aligned with stop surface 34 on the second end 30 of outer shell 12 and a
 second stopping surface 52 which is longitudinally aligned with second
 stop surface 36 on second end 30 of outer shell 12. Stopping surface 52
 includes a depression 54 therein which defines an inner container
 receiving cavity 56. Depression 54 includes a bottom portion 58 which is
 complementary to the bottom portion 60 of inner container 62.
 Inner container 62 extends along the longitudinal axis of outer shell 12
 and is positioned within the first portion 40 of first chamber 24 within
 outer shell 12. Inner container 62 includes a generally baffled-shaped
 side wall 64 having an outer surface 66 in communication with first
 portion 40 of first chamber 24 in outer shell 12 and an inner surface 68
 which defines a second chamber 70 within container structure 10. Side wall
 64 includes a first end 72 which is closed by bottom portion 60 of inner
 container 62 and an opposite, second end 74.
 A valve housing 76 projects longitudinally from the second end 74 of inner
 container 62. Valve housing 76 includes a generally cylindrical side wall
 78 having a first end 80 integrally formed with second end 74 of inner
 container 62 and an opposite, second end 82 having a radially extending
 seal 84 formed thereabout. Inner surface 86 of side wall 78 of valve
 housing 76 defines a flow chamber 88 therein.
 Referring to FIGS. 3-4, valve housing 76 further includes a lower opening
 90 in first end 80 thereof and an upper opening 92 in second end 82
 thereof. A plurality of flow openings 94 are provided in side wall 78 so
 as to allow first portion 40 of first chamber 24 to communicate with flow
 chamber 88 within valve housing 76. Lower seal 98 is disposed within valve
 housing 76 across lower opening 90 therein so as to isolate flow chamber
 88 within valve housing 76 from second chamber 70 within inner container
 62. Lower seal 98 includes an opening 100 therethrough for reasons
 hereinafter described. Similarly, an upper seal 102 is positioned over
 upper opening 92 in order to isolate flow chamber 88 within valve housing
 76 from the environment external of container structure 10. Seal 102
 includes an opening 104 therein for reasons hereinafter described.
 A connection member 108 interconnects valve housing 76 to second end 30 of
 side wall 18 of outer shell 12. Connection member 108 includes a
 semi-spherical, radially outer edge 110 which defines a recess 112 therein
 for receiving terminal edge 114 of second end 30 of outer shell 12.
 Connection member 108 further includes a radially inner edge 116 defining
 an opening 118 which overlaps and is in axial alignment with opening 104
 in upper seal 102. Connection member 108 further includes a generally
 C-shaped retaining clip 120 defining a cavity 122 opening radially
 inwardly towards a longitudinally axis of container structure 10. Retainer
 clip 120 is interconnected to radially inner edge 116 of connection member
 108 by a generally flat plate 124 and is interconnected to radially outer
 edge 110 of connection member 108 by a generally U-shaped element 126.
 Cavity 122 in retaining clip 120 is adapted to capture radially outer edge
 128 of upper seal 102 and radial seal 84 about second end 82 of valve
 housing 76 thereby interconnecting valve housing 76 to outer shell 12.
 A valve stem 132 extends along the longitudinal axis of outer shell 12 and
 through opening 118 defined by radially inner edge 116 of connection
 member 108; opening 104 in upper seal 102; and opening 100 in lower seal
 98. Valve stem 132 includes an inlet end 134 disposed within second
 chamber 70 of inner container 62 and an outlet end 136 disposed externally
 of container structure 10. Outlet end 136 includes nozzle 14 formed
 thereon.
 A longitudinally extending passageway 138 is defined by inner surface 140
 of valve stem 132. An inlet 142 to passageway 138 is provided at the inlet
 end 134 of valve stem 132 and an outlet 144 of passageway 138 is provided
 at the outlet end 136 of valve stem 132. A mixing opening 146 to
 passageway 138 is disposed between the inlet and outlet ends 134 and 136,
 respectively, of valve stem 132. As best seen in FIG. 3, inlet 142 and
 mixing opening 146 in valve stem 132 are longitudinally spaced along valve
 stem 132 such that with valve stem 132 in a non-depressed position, inlet
 142 is closed by engagement with lower seal 98 and mixing opening 146 is
 closed by engagement with upper seal 102.
 Valve stem 132 further includes a sealing structure 148 projecting radially
 from the outer surface 150 thereof at a location adjacent mixing opening
 146. Upper surface 152 of sealing structure 148 engages lower surface 154
 of upper seal 102 with valve stem 132 in a non-depressed position, FIG. 3,
 in order to isolate flow chamber 88 from the environment external of
 container structure 10 and to further maintain closure of mixing opening
 146.
 A generally concave, bell shaped biasing structure 156 depends from the
 outer surface 150 of valve stem 132. Biasing structure 156 includes a
 first radially inner end 158 which is integrally formed with valve stem
 132 and a second, opposite terminal end 160 which is radially spaced from
 outer surface 150 of valve stem 132. A radial seal 162 is formed about
 terminal end 160 of biasing structure 156 and engages inner surface 86 of
 side wall 78 of valve housing 76. Biasing structure 156 urges valve stem
 132 towards the non-depressed position, FIG. 3.
 A generally tubular limiter member 166 includes a first vertical portion
 168 having an inner surface 170 defining a passageway 172 for receiving
 valve stem 132 therethrough. Limiter member 166 includes a first end 174
 and a second opposite end 176. A generally flat disc 178 projects radially
 from second end 176 of limiter member 166 and terminates at a radially
 outer edge 180 which engages inner surface 86 of sidewall 78 of valve
 housing 76. Disc 178 includes a lower surface 184 which engages upper
 surface 186 of lower seal 98 and an upper surface 188 which is engaged by
 terminal end 160 of biasing structure 156.
 In operation, first portion 40 of first chamber 24 within outer shell 12 is
 filled with a primary composition and second chamber 70 within inner
 container 62 is filled with a secondary composition. Compressed gas is
 disposed within the second portion 42 of first chamber 24 so as to urge
 piston 38 outwardly in FIG. 2 during the expansion thereof.
 Biasing structure 156 urges valve stem 132 towards a non-depressed
 position, FIG. 3. With valve stem 132 in a non-depressed position, the
 primary composition enters flow chamber 88 within valve housing 76 through
 flow openings 94 therein. The primary composition is urged into flow
 chamber 88 by piston 38 which is urged upwardly by the compressed gas
 contained in second portion 42 of first chamber 24 of outer shell 12.
 As valve stem 132 is depressed, FIG. 4, inlet 142 in inlet end 134 thereof
 is received within second chamber 70 within inner container 62 such that
 passageway 138 within valve stem 132 is in communication with second
 chamber 70 within inner container 62. Similarly, with valve stem 132 in
 the depressed position, FIG. 4, mixing opening 146 is positioned within
 flow chamber 88 within valve housing 76 such that passageway 138 within
 valve stem 132 is in communication with flow chamber 88 within valve
 housing 76. Valve stem 132 may be depressed against the bias of biasing
 structure 156 until such point that biasing structure 156 engages first
 end 174 of limiter member 166. As described, the path of valve stem 132 is
 limited between the non-depressed position, FIG. 3, wherein sealing
 structure 148 of valve stem 132 engages the lower surface 154 of upper
 seal 102 and a depressed position wherein biasing structure 156 engages
 first end 174 of limiter member 166.
 With valve stem 132 in the depressed position, FIG. 4, the compressed gas
 in second portion 42 of first chamber 24 urges piston 38 upward such that
 the primary composition in the first portion 40 of first chamber 24 exerts
 pressure on and begins to collapse inner container 62 thereby urging
 secondary composition within chamber 70 through inlet 142 in valve stem
 132 and into passageway 138. In addition, the primary composition is urged
 from flow chamber 88 within valve housing 76 into passageway 138 within
 valve stem 132 through mixing opening 146. The primary and secondary
 compositions are mixed within a mixing portion 190 of passageway 138 in
 valve stem 132 and discharged through outlet 144 in nozzle 14. Thereafter,
 valve stem 132 may be released such that biasing structure 156 urges valve
 stem 132 to the non-depressed position, FIG. 3. The process may be
 repeated each time a user wishes to discharge the mixture from container
 structure 10.
 With each subsequent depression of valve stem 132, piston 38 will move
 upwardly within outer shell 12 of container structure 10 as the compressed
 gas within second portion 42 of first chamber 24 expands. In addition,
 inner container 62 will collapse axially on itself due to the presence of
 the baffles in side wall 64 of inner container 62. Further, the volume of
 the primary composition in first portion 40 of first chamber 24 and the
 volume of the second chamber 70 within inner container 62 may be selected
 such that the mixture dispensed from container structure 10 has a
 predetermined ratio of second composition to primary composition. The
 ratio of secondary composition to primary composition dispensed from
 container structure 10 may also be modified by varying sizes of inlet 142
 and mixing opening 146 in valve stem 132.
 Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being
 within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and
 distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.