Valve for an aerosol dispenser

• US 5,037,012 A
• Filed: 02/14/1990
• Issued: 08/06/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harris Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Harris Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
• Inventors: Langford, Alan K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huppert, Michael S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L.
• Application Number:
  US07/479,926
• Time in Patent Office: 538 Days
• Field of Search: 222/402.2, 222/402.24, 222/459, 222/514, 222/402.18, 222/564, 239/463, 366/225, 366/228, 366/229
• US Class Current: 222/402.2
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/20 Arrangements for agitating the material to be sprayed, e.g. for stirring, mixing or homogenising
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/54 Metering valves ; Metering valve assemblies

Abstract

An aerosol metering valve with for use with a pressurized container includes a valve body 10 having a metering cup 8, a valve stem 21 having an outlet passage through which the contents of the metering cup 8 can be dispensed, a transfer passage 22 through which the contents of the metering chamber 31 can pass to the outlet passage, and a passageway including ports 35 and 37 through which contents of the container can pass to the metering chamber. A valve seal 6 is disposed between the valve body 10 and a container. A second valve seal 12 is retained between a cup 8 and the valve body. A ring member 38 is positioned coaxially with respect to the valve retaining member and is provided with castellating slots 40.

Claims

1. An aerosol metering valve for use with a pressurized container, the valve comprising:

a valve body having a metering chamber;

a valve member having an outlet passage through which contents of the metering chamber can be dispensed;

a transfer passage through which contents of the metering chamber can pass to the outlet passage when the valve member is in an operative or actuated position;

a passageway formed in the valve member through which the contents of the container can pass from the container into the metering chamber when the valve is in an inoperative or rest position;

a first valve seal disposed between the valve body and the container and through which the valve member is sealingly slidable in an axial direction to isolate the transfer passage from the metering chamber when the valve is in said operative or rest position;

a valve retaining member sealingly mounted within the container and having a second valve seal through which the valve member is sealingly slidable in an axial direction and which isolates the passageway from the metering chamber;

a ring member positioned co-axially with respect to the valve retaining member and having slots providing castellations on at least one face thereof; and

a spring member acting to yieldingly retain the valve member in an inoperative position.

2. An aerosol metering valve according to claim 1 where the castellating slots are of rectangular form.

3. An aerosol metering valve according to claim 1 where the castellating slots are V-shaped.

4. An aerosol metering valve according to claim 1 where the castellating slots are of buttress form.

5. An aerosol metering valve according to claim 1 where the ring member is provided as a collar capable of acting on liquid around the metering chamber to produce a mixing action of said liquid.

6. An aerosol metering valve according to claim 1 where the ring member is retained within a cover by crimping of a wall of the presurized container.

7. An aerosol metering valve according to claim 1 where the castellated ring member is made of nylon.

8. An aerosol metering valve according to claim 7 where the castellating slots are of rectangular form.

9. An aerosol metering valve according to claim 7 where the castellating slots are V-shaped.

10. An aerosol metering valve according to claim 7 where the castellating slots are of buttress form.