Regulated pressurized dispenser and method

• US 5,022,564 A
• Filed: 03/16/1990
• Issued: 06/11/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: JOY Research Incorporated
• Original Assignee: JOY Research Incorporated
• Inventors: Reyner, Ellis M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin P.
• Application Number:
  US07/494,831
• Time in Patent Office: 452 Days
• Field of Search: 222/386.5, 222/387, 222/389, 222/399, 60/721
• US Class Current: 222/386.5
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/625 the propellant being generated by a chemical or electrochemical reaction for pressure gas in portable fire extinguishers A62C13/02

Abstract

A flexible closed plastic pouch disposable within a container holding a product for supplying dispensing pressure therein. A plurality of pocket members disposed at spaced positions within said pouch with their openings facing the interior of the pouch. Each pocket member having an extension of a predetermined length attached at its end to the interior of first of two facing wall members of the pouch. Each pocket member enclosing a predetermined quantity of first component of a two-component gas generation system and being releasably closed by one of a plurality of closure members, each of said closure members having an extension of a predetermined length attached at its end to the interior of the second of the two facing walls of the pouch. The pouch contains a second component of said two-component gas generation system and a starting component encapsulated within a delay device to initially generate a predetermined quantity of pressurizing gas after a delay of a predetermined period of time. The pressurizing gas inflates and expands the pouch within the container under pressure. Due to the dispensing of the product, the pouch expands further and causes sequential separation of the pocket members from their closure members and serial opening of each pocket member to add predetermined quantities of aliquot of the first component to the second component and further generate additional quantities of pressurizing gas. The internal pressure within the container is maintained substantially within a range of predetermined maximum and minimum pressure levels until dispensing the product from the container is completed.

Claims

1. In an aerosol type dispenser, internal expulsion means for developing and maintaining gaseous dispensing pressure ranging substantially between predetermined maximum and minimum pressure levels for a product within a container of the dispenser, said expulsion means comprising an enclosed fluid impermeable, flexible closed pouch disposed within said dispenser and having a pair of facing wall members, a plurality of pocket members disposed within said pouch in spaced relation to one another and affixed to the interior of a first of said pair of facing wall members of said pouch, a predetermined quantity of a first component of a two-component gas generation system disposed within each of said pocket members, closure members associated with the interior of the second of said pair of said facing wall members of said pouch closing each of said pocket members and releasably adhering to their contacting surfaces, thereby forming a plurality of closed pocket members each containing a predetermined quantity of said first component of said two-component gas generation system, a predetermined quantity of a second component of said two-component gas generation system disposed within said pouch and externally of said closed pocket members, said second component of said two-component gas generation system includes an ingredient in a frozen state when deposited in said pouch and which subsequently liquifies after placed in said pouch, starting delay device carrying a predetermined quantity of said first component disposed within said pouch in contact with said predetermined quantity of said second component of said two-component gas generation system for causing the initial generation of gas after a prescribed period of time, said closed pocket members being sequentially separable from their respective closure members to empty their contents into admixture with said second componet and to react and generate more gas as said pouch expands due to dispensing said product, said product being dispensed disposed externally of said pouch within said container,

a plurality of identifiable pairs of spots, each comprising two identifiable member spots, and one member spot is located on said first and the other member spot is located on said second of said facing wall members of said pouch,

each of said plurality of closed pocket members having a first extension of a predetermined length extending from the edge of its pocket member and is affixed at its end to said first facing wall member of said pouch at one identifiable member spot of an identifiable pair of spots of said plurality of identifiable pairs of spots, and a second extension member of a predetermined length extending from the edge of each closure member closing a respective pocket member of said plurality of closed pocket members is affixed at its end to said second facing wall member of said pouch at the other identifiable member spot of said identifiable pair of spots,

whereby as the product is dispensed, the pouch expands and its said first and second facing wall members move away from each other under pressure, thus causing the distance between said ends of said first and second extension members of each of said closed pocket members affixed to said first and second facing wall members of said pouch to exceed the total predetermined lengths of said first and second extension members of said closed pocket members, thereby, causing sequential separation of each of said pocket members from their respective closure members according to a predetermined sequence and serial opening of each of said closed pocket members, which discharge their contents sequentially and generate additional predetermined quantities of pressurizing gas each time the internal pressure within said dispenser drops to a predetermined minimum pressure level,

whereby said pouch increases in size to a predetermined capacity each time the internal pressure within said dispenser drops from predetermined maximum to predetermined minimum pressure levels,

whereby dispensing said product from said dispenser causes the internal pressure therein to alternate continuously between said predetermined minimum and maximum pressure levels, and

whereby the coordination of said range of predetermined maximum and minimum pressure levels with, the lengths of the extension members of each of said pocket and closure members of said plurality of closed pocket members, the quantity of said first component enclosed within each of said pocket members and in the starting delay device, the order of sequence of the opening of each of said closed pocket members, and the quantity of said second component deposited within said pouch is necessary for dispensing said product within the range of predetermined maximum and minimum pressure levels.

7. In the dispenser defined in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 wherein, said pouch is comprised of three-layer laminated plastic film, the external layer being Mylar polyester (0.5) to (3) mils thick, the inner layer being low density polyethylene (0.5) to (20) mils thick, and the middle layer being saran deposited by spraying at least one of the inner surfaces of said Mylar and polyethylene layers.

8. In the dispenser defined in claim (7) wherein, said sheet carrying said pocket members is comprised of two-layer plastic lamination having an outer layer of low density polyethylene (0.5) to (20) mils thick, and an inner layer of polypropylene (0.1) to (10) mils thick, said closure members comprised of three-layer plastic sandwich lamination having an inner Mylar polyester layer of (0.3) to (3) mils in thickness, the outer layers of the sandwich being of low density polyethylene of (0.3) to (20) mils thick.

9. In the dispenser defined in claim (8) wherein, each of said pocket members and said starting delay device encapsulating said predetermined quantity of said first component of said two-component gas generation system comprising at least one compound selected from the class consisting of a water soluble mineral acid, carboxylic acid and citric acid, and said second component is comprised of at least one compound selected from the class consisting of barium carbonate, calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate in an aqueous medium and said generated pressurizing gas being carbon dioxide gas.

10. In the dispenser defined in claim (9) wherein, each of said plurality of pocket members is individually separated and independent from the others.

11. In the dispenser defined in claim (10) wherein, said delay device comprising at least one device selected from the class consisting of a gelatin capsule, disintegrating pouch and breakable enclosure which break open within said expulsion assembly prior to assembling the dispenser.

12. In the dispenser defined in claim (11) wherein, a foraminous barrier is located under a valve intake and a perforated tubing located alongside and internally of the container to facilitate the flow of the contents in said container to said valve intake.

13. In the dispenser defined in claim (12) wherein, the end of each of said extension members of each of said closed pocket members of said plurality of pocket members is affixed by proportionately short heat sealed weld portions to one of two facing walls of said pouch at a predetermined spot, and each of said extension member of each of said closure members respective to said pocket members is affixed by proportionately short heat sealed portion to the other of the two facing walls of said pouch at a predetermined spot, said spots constitute two member identifiable spots of an identifiable pair of spots, one of which is located on each of said facing walls of said pouch.

14. In the dispenser defined in claim (13) wherein, said product to be dispensed is comprised of at least one component selected from the class consisting of bromo-chloro-difluoro-methane, chlor-penta-fluoro-ethane, chloro-trifluro-methane, and dibromo-tetra-fluoro-ethane.

15. In the dispenser defined in claim (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), or (6), whereby, the radioactivity at the surface of said dispenser and its component parts and accessories as well as that of the product dispensed therefrom does not exceed 0.1 milliroentgen per hour.

2. In an aerosol type dispenser, internal expulsion means for developing and maintaining gaseous dispensing pressure ranging substantially between predetermined maximum and minimum pressure levels for a product within a container of the dispenser said expulsion means comprising an enclosed fluid impermeable, flexible closed pouch disposed within said dispenser and having a pair of facing wall members, a plurality of interconnected pocket members disposed within said pouch in spaced relation to one another and affixed to the interior of a first of said pair of facing wall members of said pouch, a predetermined quantity of a first component of a two-component gas generation system disposed within each of said pocket members, a common closure member associated with the interior of the second of said pair of said facing wall members of said pouch closing each of said pocket members and releasably adhering to their contacting surfaces, thereby forming a plurality of closed pocket members each containing a predetermined quantity of said first component of said two-component gas generation system, a predetermined quantity of a second component of said two-component gas generation system disposed within said pouch and externally of said closed pocket members, said second component of said two-component gas generation system includes an ingredient in a frozen state when deposited in said pouch and which subsequently liquifies after placed in said pouch, starting delay device carrying a predetermined quantity of said first component disposed within said pouch in contact with said predetermined quantity of said second component of said two-component gas generation system for causing the initial generation of gas after a prescribed period of time, said closed pocket members being sequentially separable from their respective closures to empty their contents into admixture with said second component and to react and generate more gas as said pouch expands due to dispensing said product, said product being dispensed disposed externally of said pouch within said container,

a plurality of identifiable pairs of spots, each comprising two identifiable member spots, and one member spot is located on said first and the other member spot is located on said second of said facing wall members of said pouch,

each of said plurality of closed pocket members having a first extension of a predetermined length extending from the edge of its pocket member and is affixed at its end to said first facing wall member of said pouch at one identifiable member spot of an identifiable pair of spots of said plurality of identifiable pairs of spots, and a second extension member of a predetermined length extending from the edge of each closure member closing a respective pocket member of said plurality of closed pocket members is affixed at its end to said second facing wall member of said pouch at the other identifiable member spot of said identifiable pair of spots,

whereby as the product is dispensed, the pouch expands and its said first and second facing wall members move away from each other under pressure, thus causing the distance between said ends of said first and second extension members of each of said closed pocket members affixed to said first and second facing wall members of said pouch to exceed the total predetermined lengths of said first and second extension members of said closed pocket members, thereby, causing sequential separation of each of said pocket members from their respective closure members according to a predetermined sequence and serial opening of each of said closed pocket members, which discharge their contents sequentially and generate additional predetermined quantities of pressurizing gas each time the internal pressure within said dispenser drops to a predetermined minimum pressure level,

whereby said pouch increases in size to a predetermined capacity each time the internal pressure within said dispenser drops from predetermined maximum to predetermined minimum pressure levels,

whereby dispensing said product from said dispenser causes the internal pressure therein to alternate continuously between said predetermined minimum and maximum pressure levels, and

whereby the coordination of said range of predetermined maximum and minimum pressure levels with, the lengths of the extension members of each of said pocket and closure members of said plurality of closed pocket members, the quantity of said first component enclosed within each of said pocket members and in the starting delay device, the order of sequence of the opening of each of said closed pocket members, and the quantity of said second component deposited within said pouch is necessary for dispensing said product within the range of predetermined maximum and minimum pressure levels.

3. In a regulated self-pressurizing dispensing apparatus for developing and maintaining gaseous dispensing pressure ranging substantially between predetermined maximum and minimum pressure levels for a product being dispensed, an outer container, a dispensable flowable medium within said container to be dispensed, a manually actuable atomizing and dispensing valve on said container, and expulsion means within said container for providing and dispensing pressure for said dispensable medium comprising, a liquid impermeable expansible flexible closed pouch having a pair of facing wall members disposed within said container, said dispensable medium disposed externally of said pouch within said container, a pair of sheets permanently attached on their outer surfaces to the inner surfaces of said facing wall members of said pouch and releasably adhered to one another over substantially their entire contacting surfaces, at least one of said sheets having a plurality of pocket members in its surface in spaced positions to one another and each carrying a predetermined quantity of an aliquot of first component of a two-component gas generation system, the other sheet enclosing and encapsulating said first component within each of said pocket members, thereby forming a plurality of closed pocket members each containing a predetermined quantity of said first component of said two-component gas generation system, a predetermined quantity of a second component of said two-component gas generation system disposed within said pouch and externally of said pocket members, said second component of said two-component gas generation system includes an ingredient in a frozen state when deposited in said pouch and which subsequently liquifies after placed in said pouch, starting delay device carrying a predetermined quantity of said first component disposed within said pouch in contact with said second component for causing the initial generation of pressurizing gas after a predetermined period of time, upon outward expansion of said pouch due to the pressure of said gas generated therein and the evacuation of said dispenser by dispensing said dispensable medium through said valve, said closed pocket members being adapted to gradually separate from their respective closures and open sequentially, thereby permitting said aliquots of said first component to contact and react with said second component and generate additional quantities of pressurizing gas within said pouch,

a plurality of identifiable pairs of spots, each comprising two identifiable member spots, and one member spot is located on said first and the other member spot is located on said second of said facing wall members of said pouch,

each of said plurality of closed pocket members having a first extension of a predetermined length extending from the edge of its pocket member and is affixed at its end to said first facing wall member of said pouch at one identifiable member spot of an identifiable pair of spots of said plurality of identifiable pairs of spots, and a second extension member of a predetermined length extending from the edge of each closure member closing a respective pocket member of said plurality of closed pocket members is affixed at its end to said second facing wall member of said pouch at the other identifiable member spot of said identifiable pair of spots,

whereby as the product is dispensed, the pouch expands and its said first and second facing wall members move away from each other under pressure, thus causing the distance between said ends of said first and second extension members of each of said closed pocket members affixed to said first and second facing wall members of said pouch to exceed the total predetermined lengths of said first and second extension members of said closed pocket members, thereby, causing sequential separation of each of said pocket members from their respective closure members according to a predetermined sequence and serial opening of each of said closed pocket members, which discharge their contents sequentially and generate additional predetermined quantities of pressurizing gas each time the internal pressure within said dispenser drops to a predetermined minimum pressure level,

whereby said pouch increases in size to a predetermined capacity each time the internal pressure within said dispenser drops from predetermined maximum to predetermined minimum pressure levels,

whereby dispensing said product from said dispenser causes the internal pressure therein to alternate continuously between said predetermined minimum and maximum pressure levels, and

whereby the coordination of said range of predetermined maximum and minimum pressure levels with, the lengths of the extension members of each of said pocket and closure members of said plurality of closed pocket members, the quantity of said first component enclosed within each of said pocket members and in the starting delay device, the order of sequence of the opening of each of said closed pocket members, and the quantity of said second component deposited within said pouch is necessary for dispensing said product within the range of predetermined maximum and minimum pressure levels.

4. In a regulated self-pressurizing dispensing apparatus for developing and maintaining gaseous dispensing pressure ranging substantially between predetermined maximum and minimum pressure levels for a product being dispensed, an outer container, a dispensable flowable medium within said container to be dispensed, a manually actuable atomizing and dispensing valve on said container, and expulsion means within said container for providing and dispensing pressure for said dispensable medium comprising, a liquid impermeable expansible flexible closed pouch having a pair of facing wall members disposed within said container, said dispensable medium disposed externally of said pouch within said container, two generally congruent sheets permanently attached on their outer surfaces to the inner surfaces of said facing wall members of said pouch and releasably adhered to one another along at least portions of their contacting surfaces, at least one of said sheets having a plurality of pocket members in its surface in spaced positions to one another and each carrying a predetermined quantity of an aliquot of first component of a two-component carbon dioxide gas generation system, the other sheet enclosing and encapsulating said first component within each of said pocket members, thereby forming a plurality of closed pocket members each containing a predetermined quantity of said first component of said two-component gas generation system, a predetermined quantity of a second component of said two-component carbon dioxide gas generation system disposed within said pouch and externally of said pocket members, said second component of said two-component gas generation system includes an ingredient in a frozen state when deposited in said pouch and which subsequently liquifies after placed in said pouch, starting delay device carrying a predetermined quantity of said first component disposed within said pouch in contact with said second component for causing the initial generation of pressurizing gas after a predetermined period of time, upon outward expansion of said pouch due to the pressure of said carbon dioxide gas generated therein and the evacuation of said dispenser by dispensing said medium through said valve, said closed pocket members being adapted to gradually separate from their respective closures and open sequentially, thereby permitting said aliquots of said first component to contact and react with said second component and generate additional quantities of said carbon dioxide pressurizing gas within said pouch,

a plurality of identifiable pairs of spots, each comprising two identifiable member spots, and one member spot is located on said first and the other member spot is located on said second of said facing wall members of said pouch,

each of said plurality of closed pocket members having a first extension of a predetermined length extending from the edge of its pocket member and is affixed at its end to said first facing wall member of said pouch at one identifiable member spot of an identifiable pair of spots of said plurality of identifiable pairs of spots, and a second extension member of a predetermined length extending from the edge of each closure member closing a respective pocket member of said plurality of closed pocket members is affixed at its end to said second facing wall member of said pouch at the other identifiable member spot of said identifiable pair of spots,

whereby as the product is dispensed, the pouch expands and its said first and second facing wall members move away from each other under pressure, thus causing the distance between said ends of said first and second extension members of each of said closed pocket members affixed to said first and second facing wall members of said pouch to exceed the total predetermined lengths of said first and second extension members of said closed pocket members, thereby, causing sequential separation of each of said pocket members from their respective closure members according to a predetermined sequence and serial opening of each of said closed pocket members, which discharge their contents sequentially and generate additional predetermined quantities of pressurizing gas each time the internal pressure within said dispenser drops to a predetermined minimum pressure level,

whereby said pouch increases in size to a predetermined capacity each time the internal pressure within said dispenser drops from predetermined maximum to predetermined minimum pressure levels,

whereby dispensing said product from said dispenser causes the internal pressure therein to alternate continuously between said predetermined minimum and maximum pressure levels, and

whereby the coordination of said range of predetermined maximum and minimum pressure levels with, the lengths of the extension members of each of said pocket and closure members of said plurality of closed pocket members, the quantity of said first component enclosed within each of said pocket members and in the starting delay device, the order of sequence of the opening of each of said closed pocket members, and the quantity of said second component deposited within said pouch is necessary for dispensing said product within the range of predetermined maximum and minimum pressure levels.

5. Expulsion means for developing and maintaining gaseous dispensing pressure in a container for a dispensable product being dispensed from said container, said means comprising a fluid impermeable expansible flexible closed pouch adapted to be disposed within said container and having a pair of facing wall members, a plurality of pocket members disposed within said pouch in spaced relations to one another and each is affixed to the interior of a first of said facing wall members of said pouch, a predetermined quantity of a first of a two-component gas generation system disposed within each of said pocket members, a closure member for each pocket member associated with the interior of the other member of said pair of facing wall members of said pouch and closing each of said pocket members and releasably adhering to its contacting surfaces, thereby forming a plurality of closed pocket members each containing a predetermined quantity of said first component of said two-component gas generation system, a predetermined quantity of a second component of said two-component gas generation system disposed within said pouch and externally of said pocket members, said second component of said two-component gas generation system includes an ingredient in a frozen state when deposited in said pouch and which subsequently liquifies after placed in said pouch, starting delay device carrying a predetermined quantity of said first component disposed within said pouch in contact with said second component of said two-component gas generation system for causing the initial generation of pressurizing gas after a predetermined period of time, upon outward expansion of said pouch due to the pressure of said gas generated therein and the evacuation of said dispenser by dispensing said dispensable medium, each of said closed pocket members being adapted to gradually separate from its respective closure member and open sequentially, thereby permitting their contents of aliquots of said first component to contact and react with said second component and generate additional quantities of pressurizing gas within said pouch,

a plurality of identifiable pairs of spots, each comprising two identifiable member spots, and one member spot is located on said first and the other memeber spot is located on said second of said facing wall members of said pouch,

each of said plurality of closed pocket members having a first extension of a predetermined length extending from the edge of its pocket member and is affixed at its end to said first facing wall member of said pouch at one identifiable member spot of an identifiable pair of spots of said plurality of identifiable pairs of spots, and a second extension member of a predetermined length extending from the edge of each closure member closing a respective pocket member of said plurality of closed pocket members is affixed at its end to said second facing wall member of said pouch at the other identifiable member spot of said identifiable pair of spots,

whereby as the product is dispensed, the pouch expands and its said first and second facing wall members move away from each other under pressure, thus causing the distance between said ends of said first and second extension members of each of said closed pocket members affixed to said first and second facing wall members of said pouch to exceed the total predetermined lengths of said first and second extension members of said closed pocket members, thereby, causing sequential separation of each of said pocket members from their respective closure members according to a predetermined sequence and serial opening of each of said closed pocket members, which discharge their contents sequentially and generate additional predetermined quantities of pressurizing gas each time the internal pressure within said dispenser drops to a predetermined minimum pressure level,

whereby said pouch increases in size to a predetermined capacity each time the internal pressure within said dispenser drops from predetermined maximum to predetermined minimum pressure levels,

whereby dispensing said product from said dispenser causes the internal pressure therein to alternate continuously between said predetermined minimum and maximum pressure levels, and

whereby the coordination of said range of predetermined maximum and minimum pressure levels with, the lengths of the extension members of each of said pocket and closure members of said plurality of closed pocket members, the quantity of said first component enclosed within each of said pocket members and in the starting delay device, the order of sequence of the opening of each of said closed pocket members, and the quantity of said second component deposited within said pouch is necessary for dispensing said product within the range of predetermined maximum and minimum pressure levels.

6. Expulsion means for developing and maintaining gaseous dispensing pressure in a container for a dispensable product being dispensed from said container, said means comprising a fluid impermeable expansible flexible closed pouch adapted to be disposed within said container and having a pair of facing wall members, a plurality of pocket members disposed within said pouch in spaced relations to one another affixed to the interior of a first of said facing wall members of said pouch, a predetermined quantity of a first of a two-component gas generation system disposed within each of said pocket members, a common closure member associated with the interior of the other member of said pair of facing wall members of said pouch and closing each of said pocket members and releasably adhering to its contacting surfaces, thereby forming a plurality of closed pocket members each containing a predetermined quantity of said first component of said two-component gas generation system, a predetermined quantity of a second component of said two-component gas generation system disposed within said pouch and externally of said pocket members, said second component of said two-component gas generation system includes an ingredient in a frozen state when deposited in said pouch and which subsequently liquifies after placed in said pouch, starting delay device carrying a predetermined quantity of said first component disposed within said pouch in contact with said second component of said two-component gas generation system for causing the initial generation of pressurizing gas after a predetermined period of time, upon outward expansion of said pouch due to the pressure of said gas generated therein and the evacuation of said dispenser by dispensing said dispensable medium, said closed pocket members being adapted to gradually separate from their respective closure member and open sequentially, thereby permitting their contents of aliquots of said first component of said two-component gas generation system to contact and react with said second component and generate additional quantities of pressurizing gas within said pouch,

a plurality of identifiable pairs of spots, each comprising two identifiable member spots, and one member spot is located on said first and the other member spot is located on said second of said facing wall members of said pouch,

each of said plurality of closed pocket members having a first extension of a predetermined length extending from the edge of its pocket member and is affixed at its end to said first facing wall member of said pouch at one identifiable member spot of an identifiable pair of spots of said plurality of identifiable pairs of spots, and a second extension member of a predetermined length extending from the edge of each closure member closing a respective pocket member of said plurality of closed pocket members is affixed at its end to said second facing wall member of said pouch at the other identifiable member spot of said identifiable pair of spots,

whereby as the product is dispensed, the pouch expands and its said first and second facing wall members move away from each other under pressure, thus causing the distance between said ends of said first and second extension members of each of said closed pocket members affixed to said first and second facing wall members of said pouch to exceed the total predetermined lengths of said first and second extension members of said closed pocket members, thereby, causing sequential separation of each of said pocket members from their respective closure members according to a predetermined sequence and serial opening of each of said closed pocket members, which discharge their contents sequentially and generate additional predetermined quantities of pressurizing gas each time the internal pressure within said dispenser drops to a predetermined minimum pressure level,

whereby said pouch increases in size to a predetermined capacity each time the internal pressure within said dispenser drops from predetermined maximum to predetermined minimum pressure levels,

whereby dispensing said product from said dispenser causes the internal pressure therein to alternate continuously between said predetermined minimum and maximum pressure levels, and

whereby the coordination of said range of predetermined maximum and minimum pressure levels with, the lengths of the extension members of each of said pocket and closure members of said plurality of closed pocket members, the quantity of said first component enclosed within each of said pocket members and in the starting delay device, the order of sequence of the opening of each of said closed pocket members, and the quantity of said second component deposited within said pouch is necessary for dispensing said product within the range of predetermined maximum and minimum pressure levels.