Field of Search:
222/395,399,400.7,529 215/47,52,79,83,85
Claims:
Having described my invention, I claim
1. A pressure-resistant liquid container for a spray gun with said container having an integral extension with a coaxial cylindrical bore therethrough terminating in an outer edge normal to the axis of said bore,
2. The construction received in claim 1 including a second gas-propellant outlet hole through said outer end of said plug,
3. The construction recited in claim 1 wherein said extension of said container terminates in an external threaded portion and wherein said cap has a mating internal threaded portion for hermetically securing said cap on said extension to hermetically seal said insert, said disc and said plug to said extension.
Description:
This invention relates in general to a substantially nonrefillable container for retaining a liquid, such as cosmetic materials, and other liquids of a wide range of viscosities, under the pressure of a gas propellant for use with a spray gun for projecting an atomized spray of the liquid.
Prior to this invention the containers for holding pressurized liquids usually had pressure-resistant closure means which were readily removable for permitting the refilling of one container with different liquids and were normally provided with a flat bottom surface subject to accidental tipping with undesirable results by the liquid contamination of the propellant supply system, which containers are usually fabricated of metal subject to relatively high manufacturing cost.
The present invention overcomes the above objections and disadvantages by the provision of a pressure resistant unitary container made of plastic material by the low-cost blow-mold process and is provided with a hemispherical bottom portion for insertion in a socket for supporting the container in an upright position, thus preventing accidental tipping.
A principal object of the invention is the provision of a closure extension integral with the container into the bore of which a nonremovable plug is inserted for receiving a removable insert member for coupling gas propellant inlet and outlet tubes and a liquid outlet tube thereto for supplying an atomizing spray gun with pressurized gas propellant and liquid.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a quick removable cap for sealing said plug and said inlet member to the said closure extension.
These and other objects and advantages in one embodiment of the invention are described and shown in the following specification and drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a liquid container and closure therefor in reduced scale, with a portion thereof broken away, connected to a typical spray gun.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the container shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view of the closure elements shown in FIG. 1 taken through section line 3--3, FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view of the closure elements of the container taken through section line 4--4, FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view taken through section line 5--5, FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of partially assembled elements shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the closure elements shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective exploded view of the closure elements shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of the closure cap for sealing the container shown in FIG. 1 for transport.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the closure cap taken through section line 10--10, FIG. 9.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a pressure resistant cylindrical container 1 is preferably made of plastic material, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, by the blow-molding process, but not limited thereto. The container is provided with a hemispherical lower portion 2 for fitted engagement in a holder or socket 3, illustrated in broken lines, for the purpose of maintaining the container in vertical position when filled. The container has a coaxial neck 4 which is provided with external threads to receive a threaded cap 5, which cap retains a plug and a cap insert assembly 6, to be hereinafter described. A flexible inlet tube 7 has one end connected to the cap insert assembly 6 and the opposite end connected to a source of pressurized gas propellant, not shown, such as compressed air. A flexible liquid outlet tube 8 is detachably connected at one end to dip tube 9, which extends in close proximity to the bottom of the container. The opposite end connects to a spray gun assembly 10 which includes a manually operated spray nozzle 11 projecting therefrom. Another flexible tube 12, connected to insert assembly 6, carries the pressurized gas propellant or air above the liquid in the container to the gun assembly 10, as shown.
Referring to FIG. 3, a generally cylindrical hollow bifurcated plug 13, molded from resilient plastic material such as polyethylene or nylon or other elastomer of predetermined flexibility, is snugly positioned within the neck 4 of the container and has a coaxial flange 14 with a washer 15, of resilient material, positioned between the flange 14 and the upper edge of the neck 4 forming a seal.
A pair of cavities or recess 16--16 are positioned in opposite sides of the plug for engagement by substantially hemispherical projections 17 in opposite sides of the inner wall of the neck 4. The plug also has a bifurcated lower portion formed by slots 18 in opposite sides of the lower portion thereof for inward flexing when inserted in the neck of the container.
It is now apparent from FIGS. 3 and 6 that the plug 13 is inserted in the neck 4 of the container at the lower edges of the bifurcated sides of the plug which will cam over the projections 17 and flex inwardly until the projections encounter and engage the recesses 16--16 which will permit the lower portion of the plug to assume its initial cylindrical shape and washer 15 assume its sealing position.
It is also apparent that the container is now substantially nonrefillable since the plug is difficult to remove without damage to either the neck or plug and the filling of the container through the small holes in the top of the plug is, for most intent and purpose, impractical.
The plug has an internal downward extending nipple 19 with a coaxial bore 20 through the top of the plug and the dip tube 9 is secured on the nipple 19, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
Referring to FIG. 8, the plug has a pair of holes 21 and 22 through the top end thereof.
FIGS. 3 and 8 show a coupling insert 23, preferably molded of plastic material such as nylon, which has a downward extending nipple 24 which is slidably inserted in hole 21 of the plug 13, shown in FIG. 8. A coaxially upward extending nipple 25 has frictionally secured thereon the inlet tube 7.
A common bore 26 extends through nipples 24 and 25, as shown. The cap insert has a second downward extending nipple 27 and a coaxial upward extending nipple 28 with a common bore 29 through nipples 27 and 28. A third upward extending nipple 30 has attached thereto the liquid supply tube 8 connected to the gun assembly 10. Likewise, the air supply tube 12 is connected to nipple 28 for supplying the gas propellant to the gun 10.
Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 8, a gasket 31 of resilient material has holes 32, 33 and 34, which mate with bore 20 and holes 21 and 22.
FIGS. 3 and 4 show the closure of the container with the cap 5 threaded tightly on the neck of the container 4 wherein the flange of the plug 13 is secured and sealed between washer 15 and gasket 31 whereby a pressurized propellant fed through tube 7 will force liquid in the container through tube 8 into the gun assembly 10. Simultaneously, the tube 12 will conduct pressurized propellant into gun assembly 10 for completing the requirements for spraying by manually depressing nozzle 11.
When the container is empty, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the conducting tubes and the coupling insert are removed from the cap 5 by unscrewing the cap 5, as illustrated.
When additional containers of liquids are prepared for transit, and referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a cap 35, preferably of plastic material, has internal threads to mate with the threads on the neck of the container and includes a compressible seal disc 36, which will bear upon the top surface of the plug 13 with a sealing washer 15 therebetween.
FIG. 8 shows the exploded relationship of elements described in FIGS. 3 and 4.
It is to be noted that because of low-cost manufacture and other obviously pertinent reasons, the container including the nonremovable plug 13 with the dip tube 9 is considered disposable.
This invention comprehends certain modifications in construction which come within the scope and teachings described.