US3722753A

US3722753A - Dispensing attachment for pressurized containers

Info

Publication number: US3722753A
Application number: US00611499A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wayne Miles G De
Original assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Current assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Priority date: 1966-12-01
Filing date: 1966-12-01
Publication date: 1973-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 1990-03-27

Abstract

A process and device for dispensing fluid material from a pressurized container at a modified temperature and including means for transferring to the fluid material heat from an exterior source such as hot water.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Miles [54] DISPENSING ATTACHMENT FOR PRESSURIZED CONTAINERS [75] Inventor: Gilbert de Wayne Miles, Ossining,

[73] Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company, New

York, NY.

[22] Filed: Dec. 1, 1966 [21] Appl. No.: 611,499

Related U.S. Application Data Continuation of Ser. No. 487,968, Aug. 31, 1965, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 325,209, Nov 15, 1963, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 139,274, Sept. 19, 1961.

[52] U.S. Cl. ..222/146 HA [51] Int. Cl. ..B67d 5/62 [58] Field of Search ..222/146, 146 H, 146 HA, 402.1402.25,

[ 1 Mar. 27, 1973 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,060,440 11/1936 Rosenblad ..222/146 HA 2,736,533 2/1956 Allen ..222/l46 HA 3,062,411 11/1962 Miles..... ....222/402.11 X 3,111,967 11/1963 Builard ..222/146 HA Primary Examiner-Samuel F. Coleman Attorney, Murray M. Grill, Herbert S. Sylvester, Thomas J. Corum, Ronald S. Cornell, Norman Blumenkopf and Robert L. Stone 57 ABSTRACT A process and device for dispensing fluid material from a pressurized container at a modified temperature and including means for transferring to the fluid material heat from an exterior source such as hot water.

1 1 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures -PATENTEOMAR2H975 $722,753

SHEET 2 OF 2 /70 F 8 F9. 41 I y /70 [4 K -& A5?

INVENTOR. GILBERT DEWAYNE MILES A ORNEY DISPENSING ATTACHMENT FOR PRESSURIZED CONTAINERS This application is a continuation of my copending application, Ser. No. 487,968, filed Aug. 31, 1965 which application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 325,209, filed Nov. 15, 1963 copending therewith, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 139,274, filed Sept. 19,1961.

The present invention relates to the dispensing of materials. More particularly, it relates to a device for dispensing fluid material from a pressurized container, at a modified temperature.

Pressurized containers are used for the packaging and dispensing of a wide variety of fluid products. Although fluid powders are dispensable, usually the compositions which are packaged in pressurized containers for the consumer market are fluids which are in the liquid state, such as solutions, emulsions or pastes. A few examples of such products are syrups, dessert toppings, whipped creams, hair dressing, shaving creams and dentifrices. At present, such products are usually dispensed at room temperature because this is the temperature at which the dispensing containers are usually stored most conveniently. However, it is often advantageous to employ pressurized products at other temperatures. For example, whipped creams or similar preparations are best when cooled and shaving creams are preferably heated before use.

To modify the temperature of a product dispensed, when so desired, the temperature of the entire container of pressurized material may be changed before dispensing, as by storage at elevated temperatures or under refrigeration. Alternatively, the material may be heated or cooled after dispensing. Both these methods involve serious difficulties which the present invention successfully overcomes.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a device for dispensing material from a pressurized dispensing container at a modified temperature. Such a device comprises a chamber for holding material from a pressurized container under pressure and means for transferring energy between material held in the chamber and a stimulus outside the chamber, to modify the temperature of the material. An inlet to the chamber is cooperative with the pressurized dispenser to deliver material therefrom to the chamber and a dispensing outlet from the chamber permits the material to be discharged therefrom after temperature modification. An outlet valve holds the material in the chamber under pressurewhen closed and is openable to dispense it from the chamber after temperature modification.

The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the illustrative drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned elevational view of the invented dispensing device in place on a pressurized dispensing container;

FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned cutaway view of another type of pressurized dispensing container with the dispensing device of FIG. 1 attached thereto, illustrating a method of modifying the temperature of material to be dispensed;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the dispensing attachment of this invention, as seen along plane 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a central longitudinal vertical elevation of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan taken along plane 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a central longitudinal vertical section of another dispensing attachment within the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the device of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectioned elevational view of another embodiment of the invented dispensing device in place on the upper portion of a pressurized dispensing container;

FIG. 9 is a sectioned view of the filament of the invented dispensing device shown in FIG. 8 showing the fitment in an inoperative position;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the male upper collar of the fitment taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 1 l; and

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the device shown in FIG. 8.

Numeral 11 designates a pressurized dispensing container comprising cylindrical side wall 13, domed bottom 15, tapered shoulder 17 and mounting cup top 19. Staked or crimped to the mounting cup 19 is a normally closed dispensing or discharge valve 21 which has a vertically projecting hollow valve stem 23 at the top. The valve stem is pressed upwardly by a spring (shown in FIG. 8 as 162) in valve body 25 and in this upper position does not allow the dispensing of material from the container 11. When depressed, as by finger pressure, a transverse opening (not shown) in the valve stem moves past a synthetic rubber ring gasket, represented by 27 and permits the flow of material 29 under pressure through dip tube 31, valve body 25 and valve stem 23. The material being dispensed may be a fluid or liquid in which there is present a liquefied. gas, which also fills the space 33 above the fluid interface 35. Alternatively, a substantially non-condensable or partially soluble gas under pressure in space 33 may provide the dispensing force. Other pressurizing means or arrangements may also be employed, one of which is illustrated in FIG. 2. There, a sponge or other piston 37 divides the container 11 into propellant and material sections. The propellant may be a non-condensable gas, such as nitrogen or oxygen, carbon dioxide or a liquefied gas, to name a few examples, and is in space 39, whereas fluid material to be dispensed is at 41. The pressurized dispensing containers are usually at a pressure of about 10 to 150 lbs. per sq. in. and preferably at 25 to lbs. per sq. in., but other suitable pressures may also be employed when desired.

Fastened to hollow valve stem 23 is the inlet portion 43 of chamber 45. Chamber 45 extending substantially at right angles to the inlet portion 43, also has an outlet portion 47 and an outlet valve 49. The inlet portion 43 is shaped and sized at the inlet 51 so that it may be press-fitted in pressure-tight relationship with valve stem 23 and so that it may move in such relationship with the valve stem when it is depressed to open position and when it is released to return to the normally closed position of the valve. Shoulder 61 aids in positively moving the valve stem downward when the dispensing attachment is depressed. It has been found that valve stems and inlets of polyamide or polyacetal resins, such as NYLON and DELRin, give good pressure-tight joints, especially when used together. Instead of a press tight fit, other means of tightly holding inlet to valve stem in pressure-tight relationship may be provided, such as complementing rings and grooves, tapered splines, and so forth.

At the end of the inlet portion 43 away from the inlet 51 there is a hollow 53 adapted for pressure-tight engagement with a necked cylinder or tube 55, which is also a part of chamber 45. Connecting inlet 51 and hollow 53 is an inlet passageway 59. As illustrated, the neck 57 of tube 55 is frictionally fitted into hollow 53 but it should be clear that other means of fastening may be provided instead, such as cementing, crimping or threading. Tube 55 may extend substantially horizontally from the inlet portion of the chamber to the outlet valve fastened to it. Alternatively, tube 55 may also extend in other than a horizontal direction. For example, FIG. 8 shows tube 55 extending vertically from the inlet portion of the chamber to the outlet valve fastened to it. The tube is a central part of the invention, being of a heat-conductive material which will readily transfer heat between an external stimulus, such as a liquid at a temperature different from the initial temperature of material disposed from the pressurized container, to the material inside the chamber. Most satisfactory for this part of the dispensing attachment are the heat-conductive metals. Of these, aluminum is preferable and drawn aluminum tube sections, thin walled and yet strong enough to withstand pressures at least equal to those in the dispensing container and also at least equal to those which may be encountered if the pressurized material is heated, are preferred. Although aluminum and metals of thicknesses of about 0.010 to 0.050 inch are preferred, synthetic plastics and other materials of suitable strength and heat transfer characteristics are acceptable. Usually the chamber should be of such size and heat transfer properties that the material being heated or cooled may have its temperature, such as room temperature changed quickly, by F. or more after about 30 seconds exposure of the chamber wall to a liquid at a temperature 40F. different from the initial temperature of the material.

Tube 55 has press-fitted, cemented, or otherwise connected, to it a tubular terminal 63 which includes an inwardly'extending flange 65, in the center of which is a dispensing outlet 67. Outlet 67 also serves as a valve seat for resilient plug 69 which is pressed against the outlet by the transverse part 71 of member 72, which is fastened to terminal 63, to hold the material in chamber 45 under pressure. This pressure can be released and material can be discharged after passage through openings 73, 75, and 77 when pin 79 of actuating means 81 is moved inwardly toward rubber plug 69 to unseat it from outlet 67 when finger pressure is applied to end surface 83. As will be seen from the drawing, matching

flanges

85 and 87 prevent removal of actuating means 81 from the dispensing attachment. The slight bearing of pin 79 against plug 69 even keeps the flanges pressed lightly together, minimizing play of the dispenser parts.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative arrangement between tubular terminal 63 and tube 55. In this embodiment, tube 55 has an outwardly rolled edge 150. Tubular terminal 63 is crimped over this rolled edge. A sealing gasket 152 made of any resilient material such as rubber, nylon, polyethylene and the like, is disposed between tubular terminal 63 and rolled edge 150. This sealing gasket 152, exerts pressure toward both rolled edge and tubular terminal 63, thereby providing an effective pressure-tight seal between the parts. Tubular terminal 63 has a. centrally disposed protuberance 154. In the center of protuberance 154 is a dispensing outlet 67. A discharge valve 156 including a valve housing 158 is connected in a pressure-tight manner to tubular terminal 63 and is disposed within protuberance 154. A hollow valve stem 160 of discharge valve 156 extends upward and defines a dispensing outlet 67.

In FIG. 8, discharge valve 21 of dispensing container 11 has a spring or biasing means 162 adapted to maintain the discharge valve in a closed position. In like manner, discharge valve 156, connected to tubular terminal 63, also has biasing means 164 which is adapted to maintain discharge valve 156 in a closed position. After chamber 45 has been charged with fluent material from container 11, and after the temperature of the fluent material has been modified, the contents of the chamber may then be dispensed through discharge valve 156.

If the chamber 45 is in a vertical position, as shown in FIG. 8, then biasing means 164 of discharge valve 156 must be relatively weaker than biasing means 162 of discharge valve 21. Thus, when downward pressure is applied to open discharge valve 156 to dispense the contents of chamber 45, this downward pressure is transmitted to discharge valve 21 and translated into downward pressure on discharge valve 21. However, discharge valve 21 will not be opened when opening discharge valve 156 because the pressure which is applied to discharge valve 156 to open it is ordinarily insufficient also to open discharge valve 21. For example, discharge valve 156 suitably may require a pressure of 4 pounds to open, while discharge valve 21 suitably may require a pressure of 5 pounds to open valve 21. Of course, the amount of pressure required to open either valve, and the net differential therebetween, may be varied widely. However, regardless of the amount of pressure required to open either valve, if the dispensing attachment is to be in a vertical position so that pressure exerted on discharge valve 156 is transmitted to and exerted on discharge valve 21, then biasing means 162 must be relatively stronger than biasing means 164. Thus, the consumer will ordinarily not open both discharge valve 156 and discharge valve 21 simultaneously. In this manner, fluent material whose temperature has not been modified will not be continuously discharged from the container through the chamber and through hollow valve stem 160. However, in those instances in which the consumer may not desire to modify the temperature of the fluent material in container 11, it will suffice to apply greater than normal pressure on finger button 170, such as with the palm of the hand, to open both discharge valve 156 and discharge valve 21. However, if the consumer desires to modify the temperature of the fluent material, then he would open discharge valve 21 until the pressure within chamber 45 substantially equals the pressure within container 11 and would then release the pressure on discharge valve 21, modify the temperature of the fluent material in chamber 45 by applying anexternal stimulus, and would then apply normal finger pressure to discharge valve 156 to dispense the contents of the chamber.

In order to encourage the consumer to apply less pressure when opening discharge valve 156 than when opening discharge valve 21, finger button 170 on discharge valve 156 has a surface area which will normally accommodate only one finger. Upper male collar 172 of fitment 168 has a surface area which will easily accommodate two fingers simultaneously, so that when upper male collar 172 of fitment 168 is in an operative position, the consumer will ordinarily apply greater downward pressure on upper male collar 172 to open discharge valve 21 than he would apply when opening discharge valve 156 with only one finger.

The dispensing attachment described above may be augmented by provision of means for positioning the dispenser in either operative or inoperative positions, as desired. During transportation and storage of containers on which a dispensing attachment has been positioned, it is often desirable to make sure that the discharge valve 21 is not accidentally actuated. To obtain this effect, the inlet portion 43, which contains a blind chamber 89, is lifted so that the blind chamber 89 may be rotated to a position over the valve stem 23. It is seen that the valve stem cannot be depressed in this position. Rotation of the dispensing attachment and longitudinal movement thereof to effect engagement and disengagement of the valve are facilitated by fitment or retainer 91 which snap fits over container bead 93 and contains concentrically positioned member 95 which fits the inlet portion of the present attachment. Circumferential rib 97 and flanges 99 and 101 limit movement of the journal vertically. Rotation of the dispenser 180 from the position shown will place it in a guard position in which the container valve cannot be actuated.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 are shown another embodiment of the invention. Here, a tube 103 of size to fit a container discharge valve communicates with a coiled tubular chamber 105 in which the tubes are bent so as to have their external walls adjacent to each other to improve heat transfer. The tube is fastened externally to a rigidifying synthetic plastic body 107 and communicates with an outlet passageway 109. Finger actuatable valve 111 closes the heat transfer chamber except when temperature modified material is to be released, at which time it is depressed. In this embodiment also the chamber 105 may be vertical or substantially at right angles to the inlet in tube .103.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, another dispensing attachment within the invention is shown. In this embodiment a synthetic plastic base 113 including inlet and outlet portions therein, has a chamber formed above it by a dome-like metal wall 114 which is held to the base 113 by indentation 115 and partial flange 117. Valve 119, containing passage 121, may be opened by turning 90 to discharge heated or cooled material. The illustrated attachment includes provision for temporarily locking in a position in which the container discharge valve is inoperative, as was shown in FIGS. l-3.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of the invention in which there is shown alternative means for positioning the dispenser in either an operative or inoperative position and in which the chamber 45 is connected to the fitment 168 in a novel manner.

In FIG. 8 a fitment 168 comprises an upper male collar 172 connected to and mounted on a lowe female collar 174. The upper collar is free to rotate and to slide up and down on the lower collar in the following manner. The upper collar 172 has an inner lip 176 which is concentric with the outer perimeter of the upper collar. An annular flange 178 is disposed on the inner lip 176 and extends toward the perimeter of the upper collar. The lower collar has an inner annular flange 180 past which the flange 178 of the upper collar snaps thereby connecting the upper and lower collars in a rotatable manner. Because the location of both flanges determines the degree that the upper collar may be elevated above the lower collar while still remaining connected to the lower collar, the extent of elevation may be changed as desired by suitably locating the flanges.

The upper collar 172 has dependent teeth 184 on the perimeter thereof and the lower collar 174 has recesses which are adapted to receive these teeth 184. Normally, when it is desired to dispense material from container 11 into chamber 45, the upper collar is rotated so that the teeth 184 are aligned with the recesses in the lower collar 174. The teeth 184 are then pressed downward and lowered into the recesses thereby discharging fluent material into chamber 45.

When the container 11 and the dispensing attachment are not in use and it is desired to lock the discharge valve 21 in an inoperative position as shown in FIG. 9, the upper collar 172 is raised and rotated so that the teeth 184 are no longer in alignment with the recesses and the teeth 184 are instead held in a raised position by the upwardly extending teeth (shown in FIGS. 9 and 11) in has relief on said lower collar thereby locking said fitment and said discharge valve in an inoperative position.

If desired, the wall 200 bordering the inlet passageway 204 may be permanently connected in a slideable pressure-tight manner to the hollow valve stem 23 by increasing the length of the wall 200 which defines the inlet passageway 204 and/or the length of the hollow valve stem 23. Thus the consumer may discharge fluent material into the chamber 45, lock the fitment 168 in an inoperative position and maintain a pressure-tight connection between the wall 200 bordering the inlet passageway 204 and the hollow valve stem 23, modify the temperature of the fluent material inside the chamber 45 and then dispense the fluent material from the chamber 45 without any leakage therefrom during these steps Although this embodiment has not been shown in the drawings, the invention is to be construed as including the embodiment of the permanent pressure-tight slideable connection between the wall 200 bordering the inlet passageway 204 and the hollow valve stem 23.

The lower collar 174 is connected to a container 11 by any suitable arrangement such as an inner flange 192 which snaps past the rolled edge 194 of the mounting cup 196 of the container. When the fitment 168 is in an inoperative position as shown in FIG. 9, the wall 200, which defines an inlet passageway 204, is completely disengaged from hollow valve stem 23. However, when the upper collar 172 is turned so that the teeth 184 are aligned with the recesses in the lower collar 174, the fitment is now in position for engaging wall 200 with, and communicating inlet passageway 204 with, hollow valve stem 23 and thereby discharging fluent material into chamber 45.

The wall 200 has a shoulder 202 bordering the inlet passageway 204. When downward pressure is exerted on the upper collar 172, the wall 200 is lowered onto the hollow valve stem 23 in a pressure-tight manner. When the shoulder 202 of the wall 200 contacts the hollow valve stem 23, the continuing downward pressure of the valve stem 23 will unseat the sealing plug 21a from its sealing relation with the valve stem 23.

After the plug 21a has been unseated, the chamber 45, which had been at atmospheric pressure, is now in communication with the contents of the pressurized dispenser by means of a passageway 22 around the plug. Thus fluent material from the higher pressure area within the pressurized dispenser will now flow around plug 21a by means of passageway 22, through hollow valve stem 23 and inlet passageway 204 into the chamber 45 thereby charging the chamber 45 with fluent material and raising the pressure within the chamber 45 to a greater than atmospheric pressure. When the downward pressure on the upper male collar 172 is released, the plug 21a returns to its position and seals the valve stem 23 from communication with the contents of the pressurized dispenser.

After the temperature of the fluent material within the chamber 45 has been modified, it is dispensed to the user by application of the proper amount of pressure to the finger button 170, thereby forcing the hollow valve stem downward against the biasing means 164 until an aperture 160a in the hollow valve stem has been positioned in communication with the contents of the pressurized dispenser. The chamber 45 is then in communication with the atmosphere and material flows from the region of greater pressure in the chamber 45 through the hollow valve stem 160 to the user. After the contents of chamber 45 are dispensed, pressure on the finger button 170 is released, and the biasing means 164 urges the plug l60b as far forward as is possible and the aperture 160a again seals the valve stem 160 from communication with the chamber 45.

The upper collar 172 of the fitment 168 has a concentrically disposed upwardly protruding wall 206 surrounding the inlet passageway 204 which passes through said upper collar 172. The chamber 45 is press-fitted to the upwardly protruding wall 206. The chamber 45 also has an apertured nipple 208 which communicates with the interior of said chamber 45 and which is press-fitted into the inlet passageway 204 and held there in a pressure-tight manner. All of the connections made between the chamber 45, apertured nipple 208, wall 200 defining inlet passageway 204 and hollow valve stem 23 are pressure-tight ones.

After fluent material is discharged from the container 11 through the inlet passageway 204 and into the chamber 45, an external stimulus is generally applied to the heat-conductive wall of the chamber 45. When this external stimulus causes the temperature of the heatconductive wall to rise, thereby causing the temperature of the material in the chamber to rise, pressure within the closed chamber 45 would normally exceed the pressure within the container 1 1. In order to assure that the pressure developed within the chamber during heating of the contents will not cause the chamber to be blown out of the fitment, surface irregularities are provided in that portion of the wall of the chamber which fits into the concentrically disposed upwardly protruding wall. These surface irregularities bite into the soft plastic of the fitment 168, and the soft plastic will then cold flow around the bitten areas thereby creating a more positive connection between the chamber 45 and the fitment 168 that could be created by merely press-fitting the chamber 45 to the fitment 168. The surface irregularities may be in the form of helical grooves 210 in the outside wall of the chamber as shown in FIG. 11, or pin-type impressions in the wall 7 of the chamber or any other form of surface irregularities.

When the dispensing attachment and container are in operating positions as shown in FIG. 8, the engagement between the wall 200 bordering the inlet passageway 204 and hollow valve stem 23 must be a pressure-tight one. In like manner, the connection between the apertured nipple 208 and the wall 200 bordering the inlet passageway 204 must also be a pressure-tight one. If any of these connections are not pressure-tight, then the fluent material will leak out of the chamber 45.

FIG. 10 shows the bottom view of the upper collar 172, inner lip 176, teeth 184, wall 200 and the inlet passageway 204.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the device shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 11 shows the container 11, mounting cup 212, lower female collar 174, upper male collar 172, chamber 45 including the helical surface irregularities 210, the valve 156, tubular terminal 63, and finger button 170.

Operation of the invention is simple and one can readily modify the temperature of materials being dispensed both quickly and in a convenient manner. First, the dispensing attachment or the inlet portion of it is pressed downwardly, opening the container discharge valve. Material to be dispensed flows through the valve stem into the chamber of the attachment, where it may be heated by any suitable means. In a preferred method, the energy transferred between a stimulus outside the chamber and the material being heated or cooled is heat energy and is transferred between the material to be dispensed and an external liquid in contact with a heat-conductive wall of the attachment chamber. This may be done by inverting the container and holding it immersed in liquid of a temperature appreciably different from that of the material for a time long enough to modify the material temperature as desired. Better still, the chamber may be held under a running hot or cold water tap, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The devices of FIGS. 4-9 may be employed in like manner, it being especially desirable to have the water stream flow directly against the heat-conductive section of the chambers shown.

Although the invention may be used to heat or cool materials, it is particularly suitable for heating under pressure liquid materials which expand appreciably when the pressure is released. As an example, shaving cream compositions comprising liquefied or dissolved gas in a solution or emulsion medium expand greatly when discharged, to form a voluminous foam. It is difficult to heat such a foam, either after discharge or while being discharged, but the liquid product may be heated more readily. Thus, in the present invention a metered quantity of liquid, a volume small in comparison to the container volume, is present in the heat transfer chamber under pressure and in the liquid state.

When the chamber is held under a hot water tap and the dispensing attachment is shaken, the mobile liquid continually moves past the heat-conductive surface, exposing new surfaces to the warmer metal thereof and improving transfer of heat. Even the increased pressure of the composition does not cause expansion into a foam because the material is held confined to the same initial volume during heating. Upon opening of the discharge valve to the atmosphere, the shaving preparation expands to a warm foam, especially desirable for comfortable and clean shaving, and is then discharged downwardly into the hand of the user instantly ready for shaving use.

The invention has been described with reference to certain non-limiting illustrations thereof. It is clear that other embodiments thereof may be made and equivalents may be substituted therein, without being outside the scope of the invention or the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A dispensing attachment for a pressurized container of fluid material containing liquefied gas, which container has at the top thereof a normally closed discharge valve with a vertically projecting hollow valve stem through which fluid material is discharged when the valve stem is depressed, for modifying the temperature of fluid material dispensed from the container, comprising a synthetic organic plastic inlet portion adapted to make a pressure-tight frictional connection at one end with the hollow stem of the discharge valve on said pressurized container, said frictional connection alone being strong enough so that the attachment is held thereby to the discharge valve in pressure-tight relationship with the hollow valve stem and which is movable downwardly with the valve stem, a substantially horizontal tubular heat-conductive metal body joined to the synthetic plastic inlet portion in pressure-tight relationship, a finger actuable normally closed valve adjacent the metal body portion, actuable to open and allow discharge of pressurized material from the body portion when valve actuating means are moved in the direction of the body portion, the dispensing attachment, when in place on the valve stem, being pressure-tight at both the pressures of the liquefied gas at the temperature thereof in the dispensing container and at the temperature to which it is changed in the dispensing attachment, and a retainer member which fits into the dispensing container and aligns the inlet passageway portion of the dispensing attachment with the normally closed discharge valve of the container to permit discharge of contents, when desired, and at other times holds the inlet passageway portion out of communication with the discharge valve to prevent discharge.

2. A dispensing attachment according to claim 1 wherein the synthetic organic plastic inlet portion is made of a polyamide plastic.

3. A dispensing attachment according to claim 1 wherein the synthetic organic inlet portion is made of a polyacetal plastic.

4. A dispensing attachment according to claim 1 in which the tubular metal body has a thin wall and is bent so that wall portions thereof pass near other wall portions of said tubular body and are exposed for contact with an external liquid so that heat transfer may be cffected between fluid material held therein and said liquid.

5. A dispensing attachment for a pressurized container having a discharge valve, said discharge valve having biasing means adapted to maintain said discharge valve in a closed position, comprising a fitment adapted to open said discharge valve, said fitment being operably connected to said container, said fitment having a wall defining an inlet passageway capable of pressure-tight engagement with said discharge valve through which fluent material from said container is discharged, a heat-conductive pressure chamber press-fitted to said fitment and into which fluent material is discharged under greater than atmospheric pressure, said chamber having a top and a heat-conductive wall and being able to withstand an internal pressure greater then that in said container, said chamber being in pressure-tight communication with said inlet passageway, and a second discharge valve disposed in said top and communicating with the interior of said chamber, said second discharge valve having biasing means adapted to maintain said second discharge valve in a closed position, the biasing means acting on said discharge valve of said container being relatively stiffer than the biasing means acting on said second discharge valve, whereby when downward actuating pressure is applied to said fitment to open said discharge valve of said container, fluent material is discharged from said container through said discharge valve and through said inlet passageway into said chamber until said discharge valve of said container is closed or the pressure in said chamber equals the pressure in said container, and, after the temperature of said fluent material in said heat-conductive pressure chamber is modified, said second discharge valve is opened, without opening said discharge valve of said container, by exerting downward pressure on said second discharge valve sufficient to open it but insufficient to open said discharge valve of said container, and said fluent material at a modified temperature is thereafter dispensed through said second discharge valve thereby dispensing the contents of said heat-conductive pressure chamber.

6. A dispensing attachment for a pressurized container having a discharge valve, said discharge valve having biasing means adapted to maintain said discharge valve in a closed position, comprising a fitment adapted to open said discharge valve, said fitment being operably connected to said container, said fitment having a wall defining an inlet passageway capable of pressure-tight engagement with said container discharge valve through which fluent material from said container is discharged, a heat-conductive metallic pressure chamber press-fitted to said fitment and into which fluent material is discharged under greater than atmospheric pressure, said chamber having a top and a heat-conductive wall and being able to withstand an internal pressure greater than that in said container, said chamber being in pressure-tight communication with said inlet passageway, and a second discharge valve disposed in said top and communicating with the interior of said chamber, said second discharge valve having biasing means adapted to maintain said second discharge valve in a closed position, the biasing means acting on said container discharge valve being relatively stiffer than the biasing means acting on said second discharge valve, whereby when downward actuating pressure is applied to said fitment to open said container discharge valve, fluent material is discharged from said container through said container discharge valve and through said inlet passageway into said chamber until said container discharge valve is closed or the pressure in said chamber equals the pressure in aid container, and, after the temperature of said fluent material in said heat-conductive pressure chamber is modified, said second discharge valve is opened, without opening said container discharge valve, by exerting downward pressure on said second discharge valve sufficient to open it but insufficient to open said container discharge valve, and said fluent material at a modified temperature is thereafter dispensed through said second discharge valve thereby dispensing the contents of said heat-conductive pressure chamber.

7. A dispensing attachment for a pressurized container having a hollow stemmed discharge valve, said discharge valve having biasing means adapted to maintain said discharge valve in a closed position, comprising a fitment adapted to open said discharge valve, said fitment being operably connected to said container, said fitment having a wall defining an inlet passageway capable of pressure-tight engagement with the hollow stem of said discharge valve through which fluent material from said container is discharged, a heat-conductive metallic pressure chamber into which fluent material is discharged under greater than atmospheric pressure, said chamber having a top and a heat-conductive wall, and surface irregularities on said wall, said walled chamber including said surface irregularities being press-fitted to said fitment thereby connecting said chamber to said fitment, said chamber being able to withstand an internal pressure greater than that in said container, said chamber being in pressure-tight communication with said inlet passageway, and a second discharge valve disposed in said top and communicating with the interior of said chamber, said second discharge valve having biasing means adapted to maintain said second discharge valve in a closed position, said biasing means acting on said hollow stemmed discharge valve being relatively stiffer than said biasing means acting on said second discharge valve, whereby when downward actuating pressure is applied to said fitment to opens said hollow stemmed discharge valve of said container, fluent material is discharged from said container through said discharge valve and through said inlet passageway into said chamber until said hollow stemmed discharge valve is closed or the pressure in said chamber equals the pressure in said container, and, after the temperature of said fluent material in said heat-conductive pressure chamber is modified, said second discharge valve is opened, without opening said hollow stemmed discharge valve, by exerting downward pressure on said second discharge valve sufficient to open it but insufficient to open said hollow stemmed discharge valve, and said fluent material at a modified temperature is thereafter dispensed through said second discharge valve thereby dispensing the contents of said heat-conductive pressure chamber.

8. A dispensing attachment for a pressurized container having a hollow stemmed discharge valve, said discharge valve having biasing means adapted to maintain said discharge valve in a closed position, comprising a fitment adapted to open said discharge valve, means on said fitment adapted to lock said hollow stemmed discharge valve in a closed position, said fitment being operably connected to said container, said fitment having a wall defining an inlet passageway capable of pressure-tight engagement with said hollow stem of said discharge valve through which fluent material from said container is discharged, a heat-conductive metallic pressure chamber into which fluent material is discharged under greater than atmospheric pressure, said chamber having a top and a heat-conductive wall and surface irregularities on said wall, said walled chamber including said surface irregularities being press-fitted to said fitment thereby connecting said chamber to said fitment, said chamber being able to withstand an internal pressure greater than that in said container, said chamber being in pressure-tight communication with said inlet passageway, and a second discharge valve disposed in said top and communicating with the interior of said chamber, said second discharge valve having biasing means adapted to maintain said second discharge valve in a closed position, aid biasing means acting on said hollow stemmed discharge valve being relatively stiffer than said biasing means acting on said second discharge valve, whereby when downward actuating pressure is applied to said fitment to open said hollow stemmed discharge valve of said container, fluent material is discharged from said container through said discharge valve and through said inlet passageway into said chamber until said hollow stemmed discharge valve is closed or the pressure in said chamber equals the pressure in said container, and, after the temperature of said fluent material in said heat-conductive pressure chamber is modified, said second discharge valve is opened, without opening said hollow stemmed discharge valve, by exerting downward pressure on said second discharge valve sufficient to open it but insufficient to open said hollow stemmed discharge valve, and said fluent material at a modified temperature is thereafter dispensed through said second discharge valve thereby dispensing the contents of said heat-conductive pressure chamber.

9. A dispensing attachment for a pressurized container having a hollow stemmed discharge valve, said discharge valve having biasing means adapted to maintain said discharge valve in a closed position, comprising a fitment adapted to open said discharge valve, said fitment being operably connected to said container, said fitment comprising an upper male collar and a lower female collar, said upper collar being connected to said lower collar and rotatable thereon, said upper collar being lowerably mounted on and overlapping said lower collar, said upper collar having dependent teeth at the perimeter thereof, said lower collar having recesses adapted to receive said dependent teeth and when said teeth are aligned with said recesses, said upper collar is capable of being lowered on said lower collar whereby pressure exerted on said fitment opens said hollow stemmed discharge valve, said fitment having a wall defining an inlet passageway capable of pressure-tight engagement with said hollow stem of said discharge valve through which fluent material from said container is discharged, a heat-conductive metallic pressure chamber into which fluent material is discharged under greater than atmospheric pressure, aid chamber having a top and a heat-conductive wall and surface irregularities on said wall, said walled chamber including said surface irregularities being press-fitted to said fitment thereby connecting said chamber to said fitment, said chamber being able to withstand an internal pressure greater than that in said container, said chamber being in pressure-tight communication with said inlet passageway, and a second discharge valve disposed in said top and communicating with the interior of said chamber, said second discharge valve having biasing means adapted to maintain said second discharge valve in a closed position, said biasing means acting on said hollow stemmed discharge valve being relatively stiffer than said biasing means acting on said second discharge valve, whereby when downwardactuating pressure is applied to said fitment to open said hollow stemmed discharge valve of said container, fluent material is discharged from said container through said discharge valve and through said inlet passageway into said chamber until the discharge valve is closed or the pressure in said chamber equals the pressure in said container, and,

after the temperature of said fluent material in said heat-conductive pressure chamber is modified, said second discharge valve is opened, without opening said hollow stemmed discharge valve, by exerting downward pressure on said second discharge valve sufficient to open it but insufficient to open said hollow stemmed discharge valve, and said fluent material at a modified temperature is thereafter dispensed through said second discharge valve thereby dispensing the contents of said heat-conductive pressure chamber.

10. A dispensing attachment for a pressurized container of liquid material for raising the temperature of the liquid material being dispensed, the liquid material containing liquefied gas under pressure in the container, the container having a normally closed discharge valve at the top thereof and a hollow valve stem through which liquid material is discharged from the container when the valve stem is moved to discharge position, comprising a pressure chamber of tainer, the container fixed size for holding the liquid material containing liquefied gas under pressure in liquid form at the tem perature to which it is raised, said chamber having heat-conductive walls for transferring heat to the liquid material from an external liquid in contact with the walls, a synthetic organic plastic inlet defining an inlet passageway to the chamber, said chamber extending substantially at right angles to said inlet and said inlet being press fitted to the hollow valve stem in pressuretight relationship and movable with the valve stem, an outlet from the chamber and a normally closed outlet valve with an actuating member, at the discharge end of the chamber, which may be opened by finger pressure against the actuating member directed horizontally toward the chamber, the outlet valve having an internal seat, a resilient plug held against the seat and means to distort the plug and open a passageway between it and the seat when the discharge valve actuating member is pressed.

11. A dispensing attachment for a pressurized container of liquid material for raising the temperature of the liquid material being dispense the liquid material containing liquefied gas under pressure in the conhaving a normally closed discharge valve at the top thereof and a hollow stem through which liquid material is discharged from the container when the valve stem is moved to discharge position, comprising a dome-shaped pressure chamber of fixed size for holding the liquid material containing liquefied gas under pressure in liquid form at the temperature to which it is raised, said chamber having heat-conductive metal walls for transferring heat to the liquid material from an external liquid in contact with the walls, and having a synthetic organic plastic base member forming a walled inlet defining an inlet passageway to the chamber, said chamber extending substantially at right angles to said walled inlet and said walled inlet being press fitted to the hollow valve stem in pressure-tight relationship and movable with the valve stem, an outlet from the chamber in said base member through which liquid material is withdrawn from the bottom of the chamber and a normally closed outlet valve cooperating with said outlet.

Claims

1. A dispensing attachment for a pressurized container of fluid material containing liquefied gas, which container has at the top thereof a normally closed discharge valve with a vertically projecting hollow valve stem through which fluid material is discharged when the valve stem is depressed, for modifying the temperature of fluid material dispensed from the container, comprising a synthetic organic plastic inlet portion adapted to make a pressure-tight frictional connection at one end with the hollow stem of the discharge valve on said pressurized container, said frictional connection alone being strong enough so that the attachment is held thereby to the discharge valve in pressuretight relationship with the hollow valve stem and which is movable downwardly with the valve stem, a substantially horizontal tubular heat-conductive metal body joined to the synthetic plastic inlet portion in pressure-tight relationship, a finger actuable normally closed valve adjacent the metal body portion, actuable to open and allow discharge of pressurized material from the body portion when valve actuating means are moved in the direction of the body portion, the dispensing attachment, when in place on the valve stem, being pressure-tight at both the pressures of the liquefied gas at the temperature thereof in the dispensing container and at the temperature to which it is changed in the dispensing attachment, and a retainer member which fits into the dispensing container and aligns the inlet passageway portion of the dispensing attachment with the normally closed discharge valve of the container to permit discharge of contents, when desired, and at other times holds the inlet passageway portion out of communication with the discharge valve to prevent discharge.

4. A dispensing attachment according to claim 1 in which the tubular metal body has a thin wall and is bent so that wall portions thereof pass near other wall portions of said tubular body and are exposed for contact with an external liquid so that heat transfer may be effected between fluid material held therein and said liquid.

9. A dispensing attachment for a pressurized container having a hollow stemmed discharge valve, said discharge valve having biasing means adapted to maintain said discharge valve in a closed position, comprising a fitment adapted to open said discharge valve, said fitment being operably connected to said container, said fitment comprising an upper male collar and a lower female collar, said upper collar being connected to said lower collar and rotatable thereon, said upper collar being lowerably mounted on and overlapping said lower collar, said upper collar having dependent teeth at the perimeter thereof, said lower collar having recesses adapted to receive said dependent teeth and when said teeth are aligned with said recesses, said upper collar is capable of being lowered on said lower collar whereby pressure exerted on said fitment opens said hollow stemmed discharge valve, said fitment having a wall defining an inlet passageway capable of pressure-tight engagement with said hollow stem of said discharge valve through which fluent material from said container is discharged, a heat-conductive metallic pressure chamber into which fluent material is discharged under greater than atmospheric pressure, aid chamber having a top and a heat-conductive wall and surface irregularities on said wall, said walled chamber including said surface irregularities being press-fitted to said fitment thereby connecting said chamber to said fitment, said chamber being able to withstand an internal pressure greater than that in said container, said chamber being in pressure-tight communication with said inlet passageway, and a second discharge valve disposed in said top and communicating with the interior of said chamber, said second discharge valve having biasing means adapted to maintain said second discharge valve in a closed position, said biasing means acting on said hollow stemmed discharge valve being relatively stiffer than said biasing means acting on said second discharge valve, whereby when downward actuating pressure is applied to said fitment to open said hollow stemmed discharge valve of said container, fluent material is discharged from said container through said discharge valve and through said inlet passageway into said chamber until the discharge valve is closed or the pressure in said chamber equals the pressure in said container, and, after the temperature of said fluent material in said heat-conductive pressure chamber is modified, said second discharge valve is opened, without opening said hollow stemmed discharge valve, by exerting downward pressure on said second discharge valve sufficient to open it but insufficient to open said hollow stemmed discharge valve, and said fluent material at a modified temperature is thereafter dispensed through said second discharge valve thereby dispensing the contents of said heat-conductive pressure chamber.

10. A dispensing attachment for a pressurized container of liquid material for raising the temperature of the liquid material being dispensed, the liquid material containing liquefied gas under pressure in the container, the container having a normally closed discharge valve at the top thereof and a hollow valve stem through which liquid material is discharged from the container when the valve stem is moved to discharge position, comprising a pressure chamber of fixed size for holding the liquid material containing liquefied gas under pressure in liquid form at the temperature to which it is raised, said chamber having heat-conductive walls for transferring heat to the liquid material from an external liquid in contact with the walls, a synthetic organic plAstic inlet defining an inlet passageway to the chamber, said chamber extending substantially at right angles to said inlet and said inlet being press fitted to the hollow valve stem in pressure-tight relationship and movable with the valve stem, an outlet from the chamber and a normally closed outlet valve with an actuating member, at the discharge end of the chamber, which may be opened by finger pressure against the actuating member directed horizontally toward the chamber, the outlet valve having an internal seat, a resilient plug held against the seat and means to distort the plug and open a passageway between it and the seat when the discharge valve actuating member is pressed.

11. A dispensing attachment for a pressurized container of liquid material for raising the temperature of the liquid material being dispensed, the liquid material containing liquefied gas under pressure in the container, the container having a normally closed discharge valve at the top thereof and a hollow stem through which liquid material is discharged from the container when the valve stem is moved to discharge position, comprising a dome-shaped pressure chamber of fixed size for holding the liquid material containing liquefied gas under pressure in liquid form at the temperature to which it is raised, said chamber having heat-conductive metal walls for transferring heat to the liquid material from an external liquid in contact with the walls, and having a synthetic organic plastic base member forming a walled inlet defining an inlet passageway to the chamber, said chamber extending substantially at right angles to said walled inlet and said walled inlet being press fitted to the hollow valve stem in pressure-tight relationship and movable with the valve stem, an outlet from the chamber in said base member through which liquid material is withdrawn from the bottom of the chamber and a normally closed outlet valve cooperating with said outlet.