Valve assembly with security seal

• US 5,570,818 A
• Filed: 05/19/1995
• Issued: 11/05/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Consolidated Container Company LP (Loews Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Propak-California Corporation
• Inventors: Strong, Bernard
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): Derakshani, Philippe
• Application Number:
  US08/445,390
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 222/153.06, 222/522, 222/523, 222/541.7, 222/525, 222/153.14, 156/69, 156/290, 156/293, 156/294, 156/308.4, 156/309.6, 156/344, 29/521, 53/412, 53/133.2
• US Class Current: 222/153.14
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/283 between tubular parts
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/045 with a closing element having a linear movement, in a direction parallel to the seat
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1105 Delaminating process responsive to feed or shape at delamination

Abstract

A liquid dispensing assembly and method of construction for a push-pull type valve having a sealing mechanism which resists undesirable dislodgement or leakage such as encountered during transport. The push-pull valve for a container or bottle is equipped with a security seal or connection plug formed between the inner stem and the outer sleeve which preventing any relative movement between the inner and the outer sleeve during transport, is easily fracturable through deliberate actuation by the user rotating the inner stem.

Claims

1. A dispensing apparatus for a container comprising

a push-pull type valve having an outer sleeve and an axially moveable inner stem concentrically positioned therein forming an annular space therebetween;

a connector plug radially positioned between the outer sleeve and the inner stem for resisting relative axial movement therebetween;

wherein the outer sleeve and the inner stem are constructed from molded plastic and the connector plug comprises a plastic melted connection formed in the annular space between the outer sleeve and the inner stem.

2. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the connector plug provides sufficient resistance to axial movement between the inner stem and the outer sleeve to prevent unintentional axial movement during transport of the dispensing apparatus.

3. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the connector plug is severable by rotation of the inner stem relative to the outer sleeve.

4. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising a handle portion attached to the inner stem wherein the connector plug is severable by grasping the handle and rotating the inner stem relative to the outer sleeve.

5. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the connector plug is formed by inserting a heated rod externally through the outer sleeve and into the inner stem for melting a portion of the outer sleeve and the inner stem together.

6. A method of making a push-pull type dispensing valve comprising the steps of

positioning an inner stem concentrically within an outer sleeve and forming an annular space therebetween;

forming a fracturable connection plug in the annular space between the inner sleeve to the outer sleeve by inserting a heated rod externally through the outer sleeve and into the inner stem for melting a portion of plastic in the outer sleeve and the inner stem together.

7. A method of making a push-pull type dispensing valve comprising the steps of

positioning an inner stem concentrically within an outer sleeve and forming an annular space therebetween;

forming a connection plug in the annular space between the inner sleeve to the outer sleeve by inserting a heated rod externally through the outer sleeve and into the inner stem for melting a portion of plastic in the outer sleeve and the inner stem together, wherein the connection plug between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve is severable by rotating the inner stem relative to the outer sleeve.

8. A method of making a push-pull type dispensing valve for installation on a neck of a bottle, comprising the steps of

molding valve components including (a) an inner stem and (b) an outer sleeve with a flange section which is attachable to the neck of the bottle;

assembling the valve by positioning the inner stem concentrically within the outer sleeve;

forming a connection between the inner stem and the outer sleeve at a position to one side of the flange section such that the connection is positioned within the neck of the bottle when the valve is installed on the neck of the bottle.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the connection between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve is severable by rotating the inner stem relative to the outer sleeve.

10. A method of making a push-pull type dispensing valve for installation on a neck of a bottle, comprising the steps of

providing the valve with a flange section which is attachable to the neck of the bottle;

assembling the valve by positioning an inner stem concentrically within an outer sleeve;

forming a connection between the inner stem and the outer sleeve at an axial position to one side of the flange section, wherein the step of forming a connection comprises inserting a heated rod externally through the outer sleeve and into the inner stem for melting a portion of the outer sleeve and the inner stem together.

11. A method of making a push-pull type dispensing valve for installation on a neck of a bottle, comprising the steps of

providing the valve with a flange section which is attachable to the neck of the bottle;

assembling the valve by positioning an inner stem concentrically within an outer sleeve;

forming a connection between the inner stem and the outer sleeve at an axial position to one side of the flange sections wherein the step of forming a connection comprises melting a portion of plastic in the outer sleeve and the inner stem together with a heated rod.

12. A method of making a push-pull type dispensing valve for installation on a neck of a bottle, comprising the steps of

providing the valve with a flange section which is attachable to the neck of the bottle;

assembling the valve by positioning an inner stem concentrically within an outer sleeve;

forming a connection between the inner stem and the outer sleeve at an axial position to one side of the flange section;

installing the valve on the neck of the bottle and thereby enclosing the connection within the neck of the bottle.

13. A dispensing apparatus for a container comprising

a push-pull type valve having an outer sleeve, an axially moveable inner stem concentrically positioned in the outer sleeve, and a flange section which is attachable to a neck of the container;

and

a connector plug radially positioned between the outer sleeve and the inner stem for resisting relative axial movement therebetween, the connector plug being located to one side of the flange section such that the connector plug is disposed within the neck of the container when the valve is installed on the neck of the container.

14. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the connector plug provides sufficient resistance to axial movement between the inner stem and the outer sleeve to prevent unintentional axial movement during transport of the dispensing apparatus.

15. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the connector plug is severable by rotation of the inner stem relative to the outer sleeve.

16. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising a handle portion attached to the inner stem wherein the connector plug is severable by grasping the handle and rotating the inner stem relative to the outer sleeve.

17. A dispensing apparatus for a container comprising

a push-pull type valve having an outer sleeve, an axially moveable inner stem concentrically positioned in the outer sleeve, and a flange section which is attachable to a neck of the container;

and

a connector plug radially positioned between the outer sleeve and the inner stem for resisting relative axial movement therebetween, wherein the outer sleeve and the inner stem are constructed from molded plastic and the connector plug comprises a plastic melted connection formed therebetween.

18. A dispensing apparatus for a container comprising

a push-pull type valve having an outer sleeve, an axially moveable inner stem concentrically positioned in the outer sleeve, and a flange section which is attachable to a neck of the container;

and

a connector plug radially positioned between the outer sleeve and the inner stem for resisting relative axial movement therebetween, wherein the connector plug is formed by inserting a heated rod externally through the outer sleeve and into the inner stem for melting a portion of plastics in the outer sleeve and the inner stem together.