US3647121A — Snap action valve for pressurized package

Claim 1

Independent Claim 376 words

In a valve mechanism for controlling the discharge of the contents of a pressurized aerosol type of package, the combination comprising: a. a container having an open end; b. a closure member adapted to be secured to said container at the open end thereof; c. said closure member having an opening therein; d. a sealing member formed of a resilient rubberlike material located within the closure member and having an opening therein aligned with the opening in the closure member; e. a flange extending downwardly from said sealing member and surrounding the opening therein; f. a valve-actuating member having a tubular upper end extending through said aligned openings and being movable relative thereto between an open position and a closed position; g. said upper end of The valve-actuating member having an exterior surface in sealing engagement with the flange of the sealing member and defining a discharge passageway having an open top and a closed lower end with a discharge port communicating with said passageway adjacent the lower end thereof; h. said discharge port being positioned above a lower end of the sealing member flange in the closed position of the valveactuating member and being positioned below said lower end of said flange in the open position of the valve-actuating member; i. a skirtlike flange of a rigid flexible material attached to the valve-actuating member and sloping downwardly and outwardly relative thereto; j. said flange having a lower end spaced from the valveactuating member and being flexible with a snap action in movement of the valve-actuating member between the open and closed position thereof; k. a fixed member positioned in opposing relation to and engaging with said lower end of said skirtlike flange with the flange biasing the valve-actuating member toward the closed position thereof; l. means for restraining outward movement of said lower end of the skirtlike flange relative to said fixed member; and m. retaining means mounted on the closure member and engaging with said sealing member; n. said retaining means comprising a member having a central bore and including a tubular extension communicating with and extending downwardly from said central bore; o. said tubular extension defining a passageway communicating with the interior of the container and the central bore in said retaining member.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 376 words

In a valve mechanism for controlling the discharge of the contents of a pressurized aerosol type of package, the combination comprising: a. a container having an open end; b. a closure member adapted to be secured to said container at the open end thereof; c. said closure member having an opening therein; d. a sealing member formed of a resilient rubberlike material located within the closure member and having an opening therein aligned with the opening in the closure member; e. a flange extending downwardly from said sealing member and surrounding the opening therein; f. a valve-actuating member having a tubular upper end extending through said aligned openings and being movable relative thereto between an open position and a closed position; g. said upper end of The valve-actuating member having an exterior surface in sealing engagement with the flange of the sealing member and defining a discharge passageway having an open top and a closed lower end with a discharge port communicating with said passageway adjacent the lower end thereof; h. said discharge port being positioned above a lower end of the sealing member flange in the closed position of the valveactuating member and being positioned below said lower end of said flange in the open position of the valve-actuating member; i. a skirtlike flange of a rigid flexible material attached to the valve-actuating member and sloping downwardly and outwardly relative thereto; j. said flange having a lower end spaced from the valveactuating member and being flexible with a snap action in movement of the valve-actuating member between the open and closed position thereof; k. a fixed member positioned in opposing relation to and engaging with said lower end of said skirtlike flange with the flange biasing the valve-actuating member toward the closed position thereof; l. means for restraining outward movement of said lower end of the skirtlike flange relative to said fixed member; and m. retaining means mounted on the closure member and engaging with said sealing member; n. said retaining means comprising a member having a central bore and including a tubular extension communicating with and extending downwardly from said central bore; o. said tubular extension defining a passageway communicating with the interior of the container and the central bore in said retaining member.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 48 words

In a valve mechanism for controlling the discharge from a pressurized aerosol type of package, the combination as defined in claim 1 which includes: a. stop means formed on said retaining member for engaging with an limiting downward movement of the valve-actuating member toward the open position thereof.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 64 words

In a valve mechanism for controlling the discharge from a pressurized aerosol type of package, the combination as defined in claim 2 wherein: a. said stop means comprises a shoulder formed in said central bore of said retaining member; c. said shoulder being positioned for engagement with a lower end of the valve-actuating member in movement of said member to the open position thereof.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 106 words

In a valve mechanism for controlling the discharge from a pressurized aerosol type of package, the combination as defined in claim 1 which includes: a. a second container located within said first container; b. a second tubular extension carried by said retaining means; c. said second tubular extension defining a passageway communicating with one of the containers; and d. valve means connected to the valve-actuating member for opening and closing the passageway defined by said second tubular extension; e. said valve means being movable between an open position and a closed position simultaneously with movement of said valve-actuating member between the open and closed positions thereof.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 282 words

In a valve mechanism for a pressurized aerosol type of package, the improvement which comprises: a. a sealing member of a resilient rubberlike material having an opening therein; b. a downwardly extending flange formed as part of said sealing member and extending around said opening; c. a valve-actuating member having a tubular upper end extending through the opening in the sealing member and being slidably engaged by said downwardly extending flange; d. said tubular upper end of the valve-actuating member defining a discharge passageway having an open upper end and containing a discharge port communicating with said passageway; e. said valve-actuating member being movable relative to said sealing member between a first position where said discharge port is closed and a second position where said discharge port is open; f. a flexible skirtlike flange carried by the valve-actuating member; g. said skirtlike flange extendiNg downwardly and outwardly relative to the tubular upper end of the valve-actuating member and having a lower end spaced therefrom; h. a fixed member having an upwardly facing surface positioned in opposing relation to said lower end of the skirtlike flange and engaging therewith; i. said flange being flexible with a snap action in response to movement of the valve-actuating member and normally biasing said valve-actuating member toward the closed position thereof relative to said sealing member; j. said lower end of the skirtlike flange being movable outwardly relative to said surface upon flexing of said flange in downward movement of the valve-actuating member; and k. means for restraining said outward movement of the lower end of the flange relative to the opposing surface of the fixed member until a predetermined pressure is exerted on the valve-actuating member.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 282 words

In a valve mechanism for a pressurized aerosol type of package, the improvement which comprises: a. a sealing member of a resilient rubberlike material having an opening therein; b. a downwardly extending flange formed as part of said sealing member and extending around said opening; c. a valve-actuating member having a tubular upper end extending through the opening in the sealing member and being slidably engaged by said downwardly extending flange; d. said tubular upper end of the valve-actuating member defining a discharge passageway having an open upper end and containing a discharge port communicating with said passageway; e. said valve-actuating member being movable relative to said sealing member between a first position where said discharge port is closed and a second position where said discharge port is open; f. a flexible skirtlike flange carried by the valve-actuating member; g. said skirtlike flange extendiNg downwardly and outwardly relative to the tubular upper end of the valve-actuating member and having a lower end spaced therefrom; h. a fixed member having an upwardly facing surface positioned in opposing relation to said lower end of the skirtlike flange and engaging therewith; i. said flange being flexible with a snap action in response to movement of the valve-actuating member and normally biasing said valve-actuating member toward the closed position thereof relative to said sealing member; j. said lower end of the skirtlike flange being movable outwardly relative to said surface upon flexing of said flange in downward movement of the valve-actuating member; and k. means for restraining said outward movement of the lower end of the flange relative to the opposing surface of the fixed member until a predetermined pressure is exerted on the valve-actuating member.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 37 words

In a valve mechanism for a pressurized aerosol type of package, the improvement as defined in claim 5 wherein: a. the valve-actuating member and the skirtlike flange are molded in one piece from a rigid plastic material.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 99 words

In a valve mechanism for a pressurized aerosol type of package, the improvement as defined in claim 5 which includes: a. a closure cap adapted to be seated on an open end of a container and having an opening formed therein aligned with the opening in said sealing member; b. means for engaging with and holding said sealing member in sealing engagement with said closure member; c. said means comprising a cup-shaped member having a tubular extension extending downwardly therefrom; d. said tubular extension defining a passageway communicating with an interior of the container and with said sealing member.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 92 words

In a valve mechanism for a pressurized container, the improvement as defined in claim 7 which includes: a. a second tubular extension carried by said cup-shaped member; b. said second tubular extension defining a second passageway; c. a valve seat formed at one end of the first mentioned extension; and d. a valve insert carried by the valve-actuating member and being movable therewith; e. said valve insert being movable into and out of sealing engagement with said valve seat in movement of the valve-actuating member between the open and closed positions thereof.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 51 words

In a valve mechanism for a pressurized aerosol type of package, the improvement as defined in claim 8 which includes: a. two containers with one of said containers being located within the other said container; and b. means for permitting gas under pressure to pass between said inner and outer containers.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 262 words

In a manually operable valve mechanism for controlling discharge from an aerosol container, the combination comprising: a. a manually operable valve member mounted in an opening at one end of a pressurized container for reciprocable movement between a closed position and an open position in response to force exerted thereon by a finger; b. said valve member having a hollow upper end defining a discharge passageway and a closed lower end; c. said lower end containing a discharge port communicating with the discharge passageway; d. said upper end being exposed for application of manual force thereon in initiating movement of the valve member to said open position thereof; e. a fixed member carried by the container; and f. a flexible actuating member interposed between said fixed member and said movable valve member for imparting positive movement to the valve member in movement thereof between said open and closed positions; g. said flexible actuating member comprising a flexible flange of a hard rigid material capable of flexing with a snap action with an unsealed end thereof movably engaging with an opposing surface of the fixed member and urging said valve member to said closed position; h. said flange being exposed to the same pressure on opposite sides thereof and being positioneD to flex in opposite directions with a positive snap action in response to forces exerted by a finger on the upper end of said valve member; and i. means on said opposing surface of the fixed member for restraining movement of said movable end of the flange relative thereto in one direction.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 262 words

In a manually operable valve mechanism for controlling discharge from an aerosol container, the combination comprising: a. a manually operable valve member mounted in an opening at one end of a pressurized container for reciprocable movement between a closed position and an open position in response to force exerted thereon by a finger; b. said valve member having a hollow upper end defining a discharge passageway and a closed lower end; c. said lower end containing a discharge port communicating with the discharge passageway; d. said upper end being exposed for application of manual force thereon in initiating movement of the valve member to said open position thereof; e. a fixed member carried by the container; and f. a flexible actuating member interposed between said fixed member and said movable valve member for imparting positive movement to the valve member in movement thereof between said open and closed positions; g. said flexible actuating member comprising a flexible flange of a hard rigid material capable of flexing with a snap action with an unsealed end thereof movably engaging with an opposing surface of the fixed member and urging said valve member to said closed position; h. said flange being exposed to the same pressure on opposite sides thereof and being positioneD to flex in opposite directions with a positive snap action in response to forces exerted by a finger on the upper end of said valve member; and i. means on said opposing surface of the fixed member for restraining movement of said movable end of the flange relative thereto in one direction.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 40 words

In a manually operable valve mechanism for controlling discharge from an aerosol container, the combination as defined in claim 10 wherein: a. the fixed member comprises a closure cap adapted to be affixed to an open end of the container.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 118 words

In a manually operable valve mechanism for controlling discharge from controlling discharge from an aerosol container, the combination as defined in claim 10 which includes: a. a seal having an opening therein aligned with an opening in the container and through which the lower end of said valve member extends; b. said seal slidably engaging with the movable valve member and including a depending portion; c. said depending portion sealably engaging with the valve member on opposite sides of the discharge port in the open and closed positions, respectively, of the valve member and being urged into engagement with the valve member by resilience of the seal and pressure from within the container in both of said positions.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 51 words

In a manually operable valve mechanism for controlling discharge from an aerosol container, the combination as defined in claim 12 wherein: a. the fixed member comprises a retainer located inside the container; b. said retainer containing a passageway communicating with the container and having upwardly facing portions engaging with the seal.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 68 words

In a manually operable valve mechanism for controlling discharge from an aerosol container, the combination as defined in claim 10 wherein: a. the flexible actuating member comprises a skirtlike flange formed integrally with the valve member; b. said skirtlike flange sloping outwardly and downwardly relative to the valve member and has a free lower end engaging with the opposing surface of the fixed member in unsealed relation thereto.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 105 words

In a manually operable valve mechanism for controlling discharge from an aerosol container, the combination as defined in claim 14 wherein: a. the fixed member forms a closure having an opening therein communicating with the container through which the lower end of the valve member extends and includes the opposing surface engaging with the free end of the flange; and b. the means for restraining movement of the free end of the flange relative to said surface restrains outward movement of the end of the flange relative to said surface until a predetermined downward force is exerted on the upper end of the valve member.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 264 words

In a manually operable valve for controlling discharge of a commodity from a pressurized container, the combination comprising: a. a manually operable valve member mounted on a container and being reciprocably movable between open and closed positions with a positive snap action in response to force exerted thereon by a finger; b. said movable valve member having an upper end exposed for the application of manual pressure thereto and a closed lower end; c. said upper end defining a discharge passageway; d. said lower end containing a discharge port therein communicating with said discharge passageway; e. a seal of resilient material having an opening therein through which the lower end of said valve member extends; f. said seal engaging with the valve member on opposite sides of the discharge port in said closed position and said open position, respectively, of the valve member; g. a fixed member carried by the container; h. flexible actuating means interposed between the fixed member and the valve member and imparting a positive snap action to the valve member in movement thereof between said open and closed positions; i. said flexible actuating means comprising a skirtlike flange having an unsealed free end engaging witH an opposing surface of the fixed member with opposite sides thereof being exposed to equal pressures; j. means on said opposing surface of a fixed member for restraining movement of said free end of the flange relative thereto in one direction; and k. a stop engaging with the movable valve member and limiting movement of the valve member in movement thereof toward said open position.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 264 words

In a manually operable valve for controlling discharge of a commodity from a pressurized container, the combination comprising: a. a manually operable valve member mounted on a container and being reciprocably movable between open and closed positions with a positive snap action in response to force exerted thereon by a finger; b. said movable valve member having an upper end exposed for the application of manual pressure thereto and a closed lower end; c. said upper end defining a discharge passageway; d. said lower end containing a discharge port therein communicating with said discharge passageway; e. a seal of resilient material having an opening therein through which the lower end of said valve member extends; f. said seal engaging with the valve member on opposite sides of the discharge port in said closed position and said open position, respectively, of the valve member; g. a fixed member carried by the container; h. flexible actuating means interposed between the fixed member and the valve member and imparting a positive snap action to the valve member in movement thereof between said open and closed positions; i. said flexible actuating means comprising a skirtlike flange having an unsealed free end engaging witH an opposing surface of the fixed member with opposite sides thereof being exposed to equal pressures; j. means on said opposing surface of a fixed member for restraining movement of said free end of the flange relative thereto in one direction; and k. a stop engaging with the movable valve member and limiting movement of the valve member in movement thereof toward said open position.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 82 words

In a manually operable valve for controlling discharge of a commodity from a pressurized container, the combination as defined in claim 16 wherein: a. said fixed member comprises a seal retainer located in the container and containing a passageway which communicates with the container; and b. said flange contains at least one perforation therein; c. said perforation providing communication from the container and the retainer to the discharge port in the valve member when the valve member is in the open position.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 71 words

In a manually operable valve for controlling discharge of a commodity from a pressurized container, the combination as defined in claim 17 wherein: a. the fixed member comprises a retainer located in the container and with an upper portion thereof engaging with the seal; and b. said retainer contains a passageway communicating at a lower end with the interior of the container and at an upper end with the perforated flange.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 47 words

In a manually operable valve for controlling discharge of a commodity from a pressurized container, the combination as defined in claim 16 wherein: a. the flexible flange and the valve member are formed integrally from a hard rigid plastic material capable of flexing with a snap action.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 51 words

In a manually operable valve for controlling discharge of a commodity from a pressurized container, the combination as defined in claim 16 wherein: a. the fixed member comprises a closure for the container and the surface opposing the end of the flexible flange is located on the exterior of the container.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 367 words

In a manually operable valve for controlling discharge of a commodity from a pressurized container, the combination which comprises: a. a member adapted to be mounted in a fixed position in an opening at one end of a container which contains a commodity and a propellant for discharging the commodity from the container; b. said fixed member having an opening therein communicating with an interior of the container; c. a valve for manually controlling discharge from the container located in said opening. d. said valve including a movable valve stem having a hollow upper end defining a discharge passageway and having a closed lower end with a discharge port communicating with said passageway; e. said valve stem being reciprocable between open and closed positions with the upper end thereof being exposed for engagement by a finger of an operator; f. a seal of resilient material mounted in the container with an opening therein in alignment with the opening in the fixed member; g. said seal including a portion slidably engaging with the valve stem on opposite sides, respectively, of said discharge port in said open and closed positions of the valve member; h. said portion of the seal being urged into engagement with the valve stem in both of said open and closed positions by resilience of the seal and by pressure from within the container; and i. a flexible actuating flange formed of a hard rigid material which is capable of flexing in opposite directions with a snap action interposed between said fixed member and said valve stem and normally urging said valve stem toward said closed position; j. the flexing of said flange imparting positive movement to the valve stem with a sudden snap action in movement thereof between said closed and open positions in response to force exerted by a finger on the valve stem; k. said flange extending outwardly and downwardly relative to the valve stem and having a free lower end engaging with an opposing surface of the fixeD member; l. said lower end of the flange engaging with the opposing surface of the fixed member in an unsealed relation and allowing equal pressure to act on opposite sides of the flange.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 367 words

In a manually operable valve for controlling discharge of a commodity from a pressurized container, the combination which comprises: a. a member adapted to be mounted in a fixed position in an opening at one end of a container which contains a commodity and a propellant for discharging the commodity from the container; b. said fixed member having an opening therein communicating with an interior of the container; c. a valve for manually controlling discharge from the container located in said opening. d. said valve including a movable valve stem having a hollow upper end defining a discharge passageway and having a closed lower end with a discharge port communicating with said passageway; e. said valve stem being reciprocable between open and closed positions with the upper end thereof being exposed for engagement by a finger of an operator; f. a seal of resilient material mounted in the container with an opening therein in alignment with the opening in the fixed member; g. said seal including a portion slidably engaging with the valve stem on opposite sides, respectively, of said discharge port in said open and closed positions of the valve member; h. said portion of the seal being urged into engagement with the valve stem in both of said open and closed positions by resilience of the seal and by pressure from within the container; and i. a flexible actuating flange formed of a hard rigid material which is capable of flexing in opposite directions with a snap action interposed between said fixed member and said valve stem and normally urging said valve stem toward said closed position; j. the flexing of said flange imparting positive movement to the valve stem with a sudden snap action in movement thereof between said closed and open positions in response to force exerted by a finger on the valve stem; k. said flange extending outwardly and downwardly relative to the valve stem and having a free lower end engaging with an opposing surface of the fixeD member; l. said lower end of the flange engaging with the opposing surface of the fixed member in an unsealed relation and allowing equal pressure to act on opposite sides of the flange.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 51 words

In a manually operable valve for controlling discharge of a commodity from a pressurized container, the combination as defined in claim 21 which includes: a. means formed on said opposing surface of the fixed member engaging with and restraining outward movement of the lower end of the actuating flange relative thereto.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 39 words

In a manually operable valve for controlling discharge of a commodity from a pressurized container, the combination as defined in claim 22 wherein: a. said restraining means comprises a raised area on said opposing surface of the fixed member.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 92 words

In a manually operable valve for controlling discharge of a commodity from a pressurized container, the combination as defined in claim 21 which includes: a. a retainer engaging with and holding the seal in position; b. said retainer containing a passageway communicating with the container with an upper end of the passageway slidably guiding the lower end of the valve stem in its movement; and c. stop means formed in said passageway for engaging with and limiting flexing of the flange in downward movement of the valve stem relative to said passageway.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1975-03-07	1975-09-06	1976-03-07	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1979-03-07	1979-09-06	1980-03-07	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1983-03-07	1983-09-06	1984-03-07	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Snap action valve for pressurized package

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