Abstract:
A bottle cartridge fits in the neck of a bottle providing liquid flow and venting from the bottle interior when operably connected to a dispenser, and preventing spills or leakages upon any bottle upset. Dual seals are provided; a valve core is operated by connecting the cartridge to a dispenser coupling. Cartridge materials are disclosed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This application relates to chemical distribution and more particularly to a valved bottle cartridge for a chemical source container used in a chemical proportioning dispenser system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is known to supply chemicals to a proportioning dispenser in bottles or plastic containers having open mouths at their upper ends. Cartridges or inserts are placed in the mouths to seal off the contents, prevent spillage and provide an interface with a dispenser and through which chemical can flow when the bottle is operably oriented to a station in a dispenser or otherwise interconnected to a dispenser. One such cartridge is shown in applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,318 which is incorporated herein by reference. Another is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,456, also incorporated herein by reference. 
     Desired function of such inserts is twofold. First, it is desirable to provide an insert which prevents or substantially reduces any chemical leakage, should the container be overturned. Secondly, it is desirable to provide a cartridge which readily flows chemical when properly connected to a dispenser, and without seepage of air into the chemical flow. 
     Prior cartridges have been found useful, however, there are desirable improvements in the areas of the valve, the seals, the venting and other structural and functional aspects of such cartridges. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a bottle cartridge with an improved valve for passing chemical out of the bottle or container when the cartridge is operatively connected to a dispenser component of a dispensing system or propotioner. 
     It is further desirable to provide an improved one-way air intake for use when chemical is drawn from the bottle. 
     It is also desirable to provide an improved bottle cartridge having improved sealing and operational methods. 
     It is also desired to provide an improved bottle cartridge allowing venting when chemical is withdrawn, yet preventing or minimizing spillage if the container is overturned. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To these ends, the invention contemplates a bottle cartridge or container mouth insert having a normally closed spring-loaded valve core operable to an open position when connected to a dispenser. When the core is moved to a closed position, the cartridge vents the bottle or container through an open cartridge mouth, around a valve core flange and through a vent passage in the cartridge body. 
     When connected to a dispenser and in open condition, the bottle mouth is sealed by a dispenser coupling or cap. Venting during chemical withdrawal occurs through a one-way valve in the dispenser coupling, and again around the valve core flange and through an aperture in the cartridge body. 
     Any spillage through the aperture and around the valve core flange is minimized on bottle or container turn over. 
     Moreover, the cartridge body and the valve core define dual seals and sealing surfaces respectively, active when the cartridge is open and one active when the cartridge is closed, thus enhancing sealing for any operative configuration of the cartridge. 
     Thus, when the valve core is spring-biased to its closed position, the core seals to the cartridge in one seal area and any venting is around the core flange and through the cartridge body aperture. When the core is moved to its open position by connection to a dispenser coupling, venting is through the dispenser coupling and again around the core flange and through the cartridge body aperture. In both cases, the core is sealed to the cartridge, preventing leakage therepast of chemical on any tipping or turn over and, as well, sealing against air seepage into any dispensing chemical flow when the core is in an open position. 
     It has also been desired to overcome any natural “stiction” or unwanted friction between the seals of the cartridge and the sealing surfaces of the valve core, and which might interfere with the operation of the valve defined by these components. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to provide both improved cartridge and valve core without any inherent friction or “stiction” characteristics as would interfere with desired valve operation. It is also desirable to provide an integral cartridge with sufficient rigidity for positive capture in a bottle mouth, yet of sufficiently softer characteristic to provide adequate sealing with the valve core. 
     To this end, the invention contemplates a cartridge body comprising a mix of 80% polypropylene and 20% polyethylene and a valve core of lubricated acetate. The polypropylene is relatively stiff, while the polyethylene is relatively softer. This combination provides a cartridge which is sufficiently soft and flexible in the seal area, but is also sufficiently rigid to provide a snap fit of the cartridge into the surrounding bottle mouth. The lubricated acetate provides a hard material to interact with the sealing surfaces in the cartridge body and the lubrication reduces the “stiction” between the surfaces. Preferably the dispenser coupling or overcap can be of polyethylene material and the umbrella-shaped, one-way air valve element in the cap is preferably of an EPDM material. 
     Accordingly, the invention provides a significantly improved bottle cartridge for chemical dispensing and related methods. 
     These and other benefits and advantages will become even more readily apparent from the following written description in which: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating the invention in a bottle mouth and interconnected to a dispenser coupling; 
         FIG. 1A  is an elevational view in cross-section of the invention of  FIG. 1  in the open position; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view in partial cross-section of the invention of  FIG. 1  in open configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is an elevational view in cross-section of the invention of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view in partial cross-section of the invention of  FIG. 1  but showing the invention in closed configuration with a dispenser coupling shown in exploded view; 
         FIG. 5  is an elevational cross-section view of the invention as in  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective upward view of the bottom of the bottle cartridge of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     It will be understood the terms “bottle” and “container” are used interchangeably to refer to a chemical reservoir or supply having a mouth typically at an upper end thereof. The terms “cartridge” and “insert” are herein used interchangeably to refer to the invention described herein. The term “dispenser” is used to refer to any device of the type used to draw or receive concentrated chemical from a bottle for proportioning, dispensing or both. The terms “dispenser coupling” or “dispenser cap” are used to refer to structure for connecting the bottle or bottle cartridge to the dispenser, whether in a fixed docking station or merely in a coupling operatively connecting the cartridge and bottle to a tube for conducting concentrated chemical to a dispenser or other form of chemical use apparatus not typically referred to as a dispenser. Accordingly, the “dispenser coupling” or “dispenser cap” could also be defined by a connector or overcap for connecting a tube through the cartridge for chemical flow therethrough, the cap, when applied to a bottle mouth, operating the valve core of the cartridge to an open position. When the cap is removed, the valve core of the cartridge is spring-biased to a closed position. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , a chemical source container such as a jug or bottle  10  is illustrated with a bottle cartridge or insert  12 , illustrated in operative position within mouth  14  of bottle  10 . Cartridge  12  operatively interfaces with mouth  14  of bottle  10  to provide an operative means by which liquid chemical concentrate (not shown) within bottle  10  can be communicated to a proportioner or dispenser  16 . Chemical is sucked up from bottle  10  through suction or pick-up tube  18 , passed through insert  12  and transmitted through appropriate fittings or tube  20  to the dispenser  16 , preferably for dilution and discharge for use in a diluted form. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the cartridge or insert  12  is in place with mouth  14  of bottle  10 . It will be appreciated that bottle  10  is deliverable with externally threaded mouth  14  covered by a closure (not shown) until it is desired to operatively interconnect the bottle  10  to a dispenser  16  through a dispenser component such as cap  22  as shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , which is internally threaded (not shown) for operative positioning by twisting onto mouth  14 . That mouth  14  has a rim portion  14   a  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) defining an upper edge of mouth  14  as shown in the FIGS. 
     The closure (not shown) can be sealed over mouth  14  as described, whether or not cartridge  12  is in place within the mouth  14 . Accordingly, filled bottles  10  can be transported in leak-free condition, whether or not a closure cap is in place. Moreover and as will be described, once cartridge  12  is in place with mouth  14 , the cartridge  12  prevents leakage, even when there is no closure cap, and as will be described. 
     It will be appreciated that bottle  10  can be of any suitable configuration such as that shown in the Figures or in any other configuration, and presenting a mouth, preferably such as mouth  14 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-6 , details of the cartridge will now be described. It will be appreciated that for descriptive purposes, the insert  12  and cap  22  cooperate together as in  FIGS. 1-3  to provide for flow of chemical concentrate to dispenser  16 . The cap  22  is shown in exploded view of  FIGS. 4 and 5  for clarity. 
     Insert or cartridge  12  includes an insert body  24  defining a first seal  26  comprising a first seal surface  27  and a second seal  28  comprising a second seal surface  29 . Seals  26 ,  28  define a circular, tapered bore of varied diameter as shown, with the seal surfaces  27 ,  29  comprising walls of that bore. 
     At the upper end  30  of insert body  24  is a circular lip  31 . Above lip  31  is an upper rim surface  30   a  of a cartridge  12  ( FIGS. 1   a ,  2 - 5 ) which is oriented below rim portion  14   a  of mouth  14  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     A valve core  32  includes a hollow valve core  34  and an integral flange  36  from which core  34  depends. Core  34  is provided with one or more fluid passages  38 . 
     When the valve  32  is in its closed position, the core  34  is raised so that passage  38  is within the second seal  28 , preventing passage of chemical concentrate therethrough into the hollow interior of core  34 .  FIGS. 4 and 5  depict this condition. 
     When the valve  32  is in open position, the core  34  is lowered and the passage  38  extends below the second seal  28  and second seal surface  29 , opening the hollow core  34  for passage of chemical concentrate.  FIGS. 1-3  illustrate this condition of insert  12 . 
     A spring  40  is operably disposed between a floor  41  of insert body  24  and the underside  43  of flange  36  of valve body  32 . Spring  40  biases flange  36  upwardly into engagement with retaining lip  31  of insert body  24 . 
     It will be appreciated that insert body  24  is circular in shape and sized to provide a friction or snap-in fit within mouth  14 . Also, insert body  24  is provided with appropriate recesses as at  45  to receive the upper circular end of a lower funnel-like cap  46  having a tip  47  for connection to pick-up tube  18 . 
     Turning now to cap  22 , the preferably round cap has a circular opening  50  in top  55  and a depending annular skirt  52 , with internal threading (not shown), cooperating with the external threads of mouth  14  so the cap  22  can be twisted or screwed into place on mouth  14 . 
     An actuating plate  54  is disposed beneath the top  55 . 
     Plate  54 , preferably, also defines a depending hollow boss  58  and an upstanding connection nipple  60  for connection to a concentrated chemical discharge tube  20  ( FIG. 1 ). Optionally, a metering tip  62  (diagrammatically shown in the FIGS.) is included for metering concentrated chemical passing through insert  12 , but the invention may be used without such tip. 
     Plate  54  also includes a one-way vent hole  67  closed against fluid movement out of cap  22  by flexible flap valve member  68 . Air can be pulled into insert  12  through vent  67 , around flange  36  and through body  24  and into bottle  10  through a vent hole  69  upon concentrated chemical being drawn from bottle  10 . Chemical cannot escape in a reverse flow, however, should bottle  10  be upset as member  68  closes vent  67  against outward flow, flexing away from vent  67  only upon a reverse pressure differential in the opposite direction. 
     Finally, it will be appreciated that plate  54  provided with the depending hollow boss  58  with an outer surface  72  that engages with the interior surface  76  of boss  34  extending upwardly from flange  36  to facilitate reciprocal, non-tilting movement, of flange  36  when urged downwardly by application of cap  22  and plate  54  as the cap  22  is screwed onto bottle mouth  14 . 
     Operation of the insert  12  is as follows. When no cap  22  is screwed on mouth  14 , and assuming insert  12  is installed in mouth  14 , as in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , valve body  32  is in its raised, valve-closed position. Here, the lower end of core  34  is disposed within the second seal area of body  32  with the lower end of the core engaging the second seal surface  29 . 
     In this position, passage  38  is sealed off by surfaces  29 . When cap  22  is screwed onto mouth  14 , the depending actuating boss  58  of actuating plate  54  engages the flange  36  of valve core body  32  and pushes core  32  downwardly. 
     In this valve-open position ( FIGS. 1-3 ) an upper end of core  34  engages first seal  26  and sealing surfaces  27 , and a lower end of core  34  engages second seal  28  and surfaces  29 . However, passage  38  of core  34  is now disposed below second seal  28  and seal surfaces  29 . This opens the hollow interior of the core  34  to the concentrated chemical within lower cap  46 , fed by pick-up tube  18 . Concentrated chemical can thus flow up tube  18 , into cap  46 , through passage  38 , into core  34 , up through metering tip  62 , through actuating plate  54  and nipple  60  to a dispensing apparatus. 
     In this valve open position, note that outer surfaces of core  34  are sealed off by both first seal  26  and second seal  28 . 
     Also note that the outer surface  72  of boss  58  is now sealed to inner surface  76  of core  34 . Thus, the only flow passage of any concentrated chemical out of bottle  10  is through core  34  and nipple  60 , with all other surfaces being sealed. Thus, even if bottle  10  is tipped over after application of cup  22 , there is no leakage. 
     On removal of cap  22 , spring urges flange  36  upwardly, core  34  rises, fluid passage  38  is sealed, and there is no leakage from bottle  10 . 
     As noted, when cap  22  is functionally applied to mouth  14  and concentrated chemical is being withdrawn from bottle  10 , any vacuum produced in bottle  10  is relieved by air flowing through vent  67  past one-way valve  68  around flange  36  into insert and through vent  69 . That passage is closed off upon removal of cap  22  and closure of flange  36  against lip  31 . 
     Finally, and in order to facilitate the operation of core  32  reciprocally in valve body  12 , it will be appreciated these components are formed of mutually cooperative materials preferably comprising a mixture of about 80% polypropylene and 20% polyethylene for the body  12  and lubricated acetate for the core  32 . 
     This provides sufficient flexibility and softness in the seal areas, but is of sufficient rigidity to facilitate substantial fit of insert  12  into mouth  14 . Preferably, the cap  22  may be made from a suitable material such as a polypropylene, while the valve member  68  is made preferably from an EPDM mat. 
     Accordingly, the invention provides and attains the goods, benefits and advantages described herein. 
     These and other modifications and variations of the invention will be readily appreciated by the foregoing to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention and applicant intends to be bound only by the claims appended hereto.