US3645424A

US3645424A - Dip tube for aerosol dispenser

Info

Publication number: US3645424A
Application number: US874530A
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul E Gunning
Original assignee: Osmose Wood Preserving Co of America Inc
Current assignee: Osmose Wood Preserving Inc
Priority date: 1969-11-06
Filing date: 1969-11-06
Publication date: 1972-02-29
Anticipated expiration: 1989-02-28

Abstract

A dip tube for an aerosol dispenser comprising an elongated plastic tube having a shape retaining wire embedded into the body of the plastic tubing and coextensive therewith for controlling the curvature of the dip tube and maintaining it in a predetermined orientation. Alternatively, the wire can be inserted within the tube with the opposite ends thereof embedded in the inner wall of the tube or the wire can be provided with loops at opposite ends thereof and applied externally of the tube to stabilize the curvature of the tube.

Description

@nnniing [54] @1111 Til/EH AERQSQL DMLPENSEER [72] Inventor:

[73] Assignee:

ll 'nnil 1E. Gunning, Kenmore, NY

Usrnnse Wnnd Preserving Ce. at America, llne, Buffalo, NY.

[22] Filed: Nev. 6, W69

[21] Appl.N0.: ti'mfiiiitl [52] 1J5. Cl IBM/W21 [511 lint. tCl t 4 .lhltifirl 513/1110 [58] ll ieldl nil flenreh ..222/394, 402.1, 402.25, 46 1,

[56] liteterenees Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,593,016 7/1926 Campbell ..138/172 M 2,497,181 2/1950 Mikeska US/1787i 2,704,556 3/i955 Blish ..138/D1G. 8

3,301,438 1/1967 Tillotson .1222/ 1t5 l7t FUWETGN PATENTS Git APPLliC/TTTONS 208,664 4/1960 Austria .1 1 311/1 72 Primary Examiner-Samuel 1 Coleman Attorney--Christel and Bean [5 7] AIEWTEMET A clip tube for an aerosol dispenser comprising an elongated plastic tube having a shape retaining; Wire embedded into the body of the plastic tubing and coextensive therewith for controlling the curvature of the dip tube and maintaining it in a predetermined orientation. Alternatively, the Wire can be inserted within the tube with the opposite ends thereof em bedded in the inner wall of the tube or the wire can be provided with loops at oppesite ends thereof and applied externally of the tube to stabilize the curvature of the tube.

2 Cllniine, 6 ltl rmving, liignree PATENTEDFEB29 m2 INVENTOR, Pauln'rm AT TO Trill 'IIUIBE ll flit AEIITGSGL DISPENSER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to dispensing containers of the aerosol type and, more particularly, to dip tubes used in such aerosol dispensing containers.

In aerosol dispensing containers of the conventional type, it is known to employ a conduit or tubing, commonly known in the art as a dip tube, for conveying the container contents from the lower portion of the container to the discharge opening. Generally, the dip tube is formed of a plastic material and is connected to or associated with the aerosol valve which controls the flow of the pressurized contents through the discharge opening. The plastic tubing is supplied in large coils of continuous length and must be cut into discrete lengths in conformity with the size of the specific aerosol dispenser with which it is used. Because such plastic tubing is supplied in coil form, a preset curvature is imparted to the tubing which is retained in the dip tube after assembly into the aerosol container.

One problem encountered with such precurved dip tubes is in orienting the lower or inner end thereof in such a manner as to insure complete utilization or discharge of the container contents. This optimum orientation is achieved by locating the lower end of the dip tube in a radial direction coinciding with the direction in which the contents are to be dispensed or sprayed. This is particular desirable in aerosol containers which must be tilted downwardly in the direction of discharge, such as containers having starch or furniture wax contents whereby the container must be tipped downwardly to spray onto horizontal surfaces.

Some attempts have been made to solve this problem by placing an index mark on the valve cup assembly coinciding with the direction of the dip tube curvature. In use, the rotatable actuator of the aerosol container is indexed to coincide with the mark indicating proper alignment of the lower end of the tube with the discharge opening. However, it has been found in practice that the actual disposition of the dip tube varies as much as i 30 percent from the desired or intended dip tube orientation. This wide variance results in costly wastes and is intolerable with many pressurized products.

Although the dip tube may be properly aligned with the index mark, there is no assurance that such alignment will remain when the container is filled with product. Normally, the dip tube is of a length so that its end is forced against the bottom wall of the container to stabilize the position of thedip tube. However, if the product is filled through the aerosol valve and dip tube, as in many container filling techniques, the velocity of flow of the product causes the inner end of the dip tube to vibrate and whip about, resulting in a repositioning of the inner end of the dip tube. The index mark then does not in dicate the accurate orientation of the dip tube inlet and it becomes useless.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a dip tube for a dispensing container having means for controlling the curvature of the dip tube within tolerable limits.

It is another object of this invention to provide reinforcing means for the foregoing dip tube to maintain the curvature thereof substantially stabilized.

The dip tube of the present invention is characterized by the provision of a shape retaining wire embedded into the body of the plastic dip tube or attached thereto for controlling the curvature of the clip tube and maintaining it in a predetermined orientation.

The foregoing and other objects, advantages and characterizing features of the present invention will become clearly apparent from the ensuing detailed description of certain illustrative embodiments thereof, taken together with the accompanying drawing wherein like reference characters denote like parts throughout the various views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWlhlG FIGURES FIG. I is a side clevational view of an aerosol dispenser incorporating a dip tube of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the dip tube taken about on line 2-2 of FIG. ll;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second form of dip tube of this invention;

FIG. l is a transverse sectional view taken about on line l- 4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of another form of dip tube of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of still another form of (lip tube of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBGDIMENTS For the general purpose of the disclosure of this invention, it can be assumed that the container of the embodiment illustrated herein is generally cylindrical although it is to be un derstood that the dip tube which forms the subject matter of the present invention may be applied with equal effect to containers of other shapes and forms. In FIG. 1, there is shown a tubular or hollow cylindrical container body Ml having a top end wall 112 and a bottom end wall M.

Top end wall 112 is curved slightly upwardly toward the central portion thereof and terminates in an annular bead lib defining a central opening lb in top end wall H2. The outer peripheral edge of top end wall 12 is provided with an inturned, curved flange rolled into sealing relation with an annular bead 2b forming a continuation of container body MI and disposed about the upper end thereof. Bottom end wall lid is dished inwardly and is attached to container body ill) in a manner similar to that of the top end wall. The peripheral edge of bottom end wall M is provided with an inturned, curved flange rolled into sealing relation with an annular bead 322 forming a continuation of container body ill and disposed about the lower end thereof.

A cup-shaped valve mounting, generally designated 24, is received in opening llll and is crimped into sealing relation with bead 116 as at 26 to provide a fluid tight, leakproof seal therebetween. Valve mounting 24 constitutes a closure for the otherwise open upper end of the dispensing container and comprises an annular base 28 having upstanding inner and outer peripheral walls Bill and 32, respectively. Inner peripheral wall 30 is crimped inwardly as at El i for receiving and retaining an aerosol valve assembly 36 therein.

A valve stem 38 projects through the upper end of valve assembly 36 and terminates in an enlargement or dispensing button All) having a discharge opening 42 therein. The valve assembly as is of a conventional type well known in the art and it is believed that no further amplification of the structure thereof is necessary. Suffice it to say that depression of button ill actuates valve assembly 36 to admit the pressurized contents of the container into stem Elli and outwardly through discharge opening 42. The contents can be any material under pressure, preferably a gaseous pressure, and can be dispensed in the form of a mist, a spray or stream of liquid or semisolid material.

In accordance with the present invention, the lower end of valve assembly Elli is provided with a reduced neck portion 14 constituting the valve assembly inlet and having one end of a dip tube, generally designated as, releasably secured thereon. Dip tube 46 comprises a length of tubing dtl, preferably formed of a flexible, plastic material, extending generally arrially downwardly from neck portion M through container body ill) and curved radially outwardly to terminate in the pocket formed between bottom end wall M and the sidewall of container body it). It should be noted that the lower end of dip tube 46 is curved in a direction coinciding with discharge opening 4162 so that the container contents remaining in the annular pocket formed between container body Ill) and bottom end wall 14 will be substantially completely removed through dip tube 46 and dispensed through opening 42 in the event container body 10 is tilted forwardly in the direction of opening 42.

A significant feature of this invention is the provision of means for controlling and stabilizing the curvature of dip tube 46. Such means comprises an elongated strip of spring steel wire 50 capable of retaining the shape into which it is bent. As shown in FIG. 2, spring steel wire 50 is embedded within the wall of dip tube 46. Wire 50 extends lengthwise of tube 46 and is completely encased therein except for the opposite ends thereof which can be exposed. Wire 50 can be embedded or encased into the wall of dip tube 46 during the extrusion process employed in the plastic tubing manufacturing operation.

Wire 50, along with tube 46, is bent into the desired curvature after attachment to valve assembly 35 and prior to insertion in container body it Wire 50 retains the shape into which it is bent and maintains tube 46 in the same shape. Thus, dip tube 416 is shaped and maintained in the desired curvature by means of the curvature imparted to wire 50. Although dip tube 46 may vibrate in the event container product is filled through such tube, it will assume its original shape and return to the desired orientation by means of the preset curvature imparted to wire 50.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate another form of the dip tube of this invention wherein dip tube 46 is provided with a lateral projection in the form of a rib 52 extending lengthwise of tube 46 and formed integral therewith. Wire 50 extends axially through said rib 52 and is coextensive therewith. Wire 50 can be introduced into rib 52 during the initial forming of the plastic tubing in a manner similar to that described above. 1

H6. 5 illustrates a third form of dip tube of the present invention which utilizes a relatively short length of wire 56 bent to the desired curvature and inserted into dip tube 46 to the relative position required for imparting the desired curvature to dip tube 46. The opposite ends 58 of wire 56 extend angularly to the inner wall of dip tube 46 and are embedded therein for attachment thereto but do not project through the wall of dip tube 46 sufficiently to puncture the same. Wire 56 has the same shape retaining properties as wire 50 but is formed of a noncorrosive material, such as l8-gauge (B and S) spring steel wire for example, to resist the corrosive action of the container contents. Of course, wire 50 also can be of corrosion resistant material.

FIG. 6 illustrates still another form of dip tube of the present invention employing a relatively short length of wire 60 applied externally of dip tube 46. The opposite ends of wire 60 are provided with loops 62 oriented at an angle to tube 46 and embracing the same to control the curvature thereof. Wire 60 is attached to tube 46 prior to insertion in container body 10 and bent to impart the desired curvature to dip tube 46. Wire 60 has the same shape retaining and corrosion resistant properties as wire 56 since it is exposed and subjected to the corrosive action of the container contents.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the objects of the present invention have been fully accomplished. As a result of this invention an improved dip tube is provided for an aerosol dispensing container. The dip tube curvature is controlled and shaped by the provision of wire retaining means. Also, the wire retaining means stabilizes the curvature of the dip tube so that the free end thereof remains in the desired orientation.

Preferred embodiments of this invention having been disclosed in detail, it is to be understood that this has been done by way of illustration only.

i claim:

1. A dispensing apparatus for gaseous pressure packed contents comprising: a container body having an outlet end and a closed end; a valve assembly mounted in said outlet end for discharging said pressurized contents; a dip tube having a desired curvature and connected at one end to said valve assembly; said dip tube extending through said container body and terminating in a free end adjacent said closed endof said container body; said dip tube having means for stabilizing and maintaining said dip tube in said desired curvature; said stabilizing means comprising a single, resiliently yieldable, elongated wire of spring steel adapted to retain the shape into which it is bent whereby said dip tube will return to said desired curvature after being displaced in any plane by forces induced in said tube; said wire being disposed bodily within a hollow passage defined by said clip tube and provided with bent opposite ends embedded in the inner wall of said clip tube.

2. A dispensing apparatus for gaseous pressure packed contents comprising: a container body having an outlet end and a closed end; a valve assembly mounted in said outlet end for discharging said pressurized contents; a dip tube having a desired curvature and connected at one end to said valve as sembly; said clip tube extending through said container body and terminating in a free end adjacent said closed end of said container body;said dip tube having means for stabilizing and maintaining said dip tube in said desired curvature; said stabilizing means comprising a single, elongated wire of spring steel adapted to retain the shape into which it is bent, said wire being disposed exteriorly of said clip tube and being provided with loops at the opposite ends thereof formed integral with said wire and wrapped about said dip tube for securing said wire thereto.

Claims

1. A dispensing apparatus for gaseous pressure packed contents comprising: a container body having an outlet end and a closed end; a valve assembly mounted in said outlet end for discharging said pressurized contents; a dip tube having a desired curvature and connected at one end to said valve assembly; said dip tube extending through said container body and terminating in a free end adjacent said closed end of said container body; said dip tube having means for stabilizing and maintaining said dip tube in said desired curvature; said stabilizing means comprising a single, resiliently yieldable, elongated wire of spring steel adapted to retain the shape into which it is bent whereby said dip tube will return to said desired curvature after being displaced in any plane by forces induced in said tube; said wire being disposed bodily within a hollow passage defined by said dip tube and provided with bent opposite ends embedded in the inner wall of said dip tube.

2. A dispensing apparatus for gaseous pressure packed contents comprising: a container body having an outlet end and a closed end; a valve assembly mounted in said outlet end for discharging said pressurized contents; a dip tube having a desired curvature and connected at one end to said valve assembly; said dip tube extending through said container body and terminating in a free end adjacent said closed end of said container body; said dip tube having means for stabilizing and maintaining said dip tube in said desired curvature; said stabilizing means comprising a single, elongated wire of spring steel adapted to retain the shape into which it is bent, said wire being disposed exteriorly of said dip tube and being provided with loops at the opposite ends thereof formed integral with said wire and wrapped about said dip tube for securing said wire thereto.