Dispensing multi-component products

Abstract

Pressurized dispensing systems are provided, for dispensing multi-component products. Some dispensing systems include (a) an outer body defining a first chamber constructed to contain a first component of the product; (b) an inner container, disposed within said body, defining a second chamber constructed to contain a second component of the product and maintain the second component separate from the first component; (c) a dispensing head, in fluid communication with the first and second chambers, through which the product is dispensed; and (d) a valve assembly, including a valve stem constructed to move between a closed position, in which said first and second chambers are sealed, and an open position, in which said first and second components flow simultaneously from the first and second chambers to said dispensing head, a valve body surrounding at least a portion of the valve stem. The dispensing systems may include, for example, a sealing member constructed to provide a seal between the valve stem and an inner wall of the valve body, the sealing member including two portions having different outer diameters.

1 . A pressurized dispensing system for dispensing a multi-component product, comprising: 
 an outer body defining a first chamber constructed to contain a first component of said product;    an inner container, disposed within said body, defining a second chamber constructed to contain a second component of said product and maintain said second component separate from said first component;    a dispensing head, in fluid communication with said first and second chambers, through which the product is dispensed; and    a valve assembly, including a valve stem constructed to move between a closed position, in which said first and second chambers are sealed, and an open position, in which said first and second components flow simultaneously from said first and second chambers to said dispensing head, a valve body surrounding at least a portion of the valve stem, and a sealing member constructed to provide a seal between the valve stem and an inner wall of the valve body, the sealing member including two portions having different outer diameters.    
   
   
       2 . The dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein the sealing member is constructed to be press fitted into the valve body.  
   
   
       3 . The dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein the sealing member includes an upper portion that seals against the valve stem, and a lower portion that does not seal against the valve stem.  
   
   
       4 . The dispensing system of  claim 3  wherein both the upper and lower portions seal against the valve body.  
   
   
       5 . The dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein the valve body includes a plurality of upper openings and the valve stem includes a plurality of lower openings.  
   
   
       6 . The dispensing system of  claim 5  wherein the sealing member is positioned to seal the lower openings when the valve is in its closed position.  
   
   
       7 . The dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein the valve stem is a female valve stem.  
   
   
       8 . The dispensing system of  claim 6  wherein the sealing member is spaced from the upper openings.  
   
   
       9 . The dispensing system of  claim 8  wherein an upper surface of the sealing member is at least 0.055 inch below the center of the lowest of the upper openings.  
   
   
       10 . The dispensing system of  claim 5  wherein the upper openings have an unobstructed open area of at least about 0.004 in 2  and the lower openings have an unobstructed open area of at least about 0.001 in 2 .  
   
   
       11 . The dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein the outer body and inner container comprise flexible bags.  
   
   
       12 . The dispensing system of  claim 11  wherein the inner container has a threaded neck and the valve assembly includes a threaded bore constructed to receive the neck of the inner container in threaded engagement.  
   
   
       13 . The dispensing system of  claim 1  wherein the outer body comprises a flexible bag and the valve body includes a raised region configured to prevent the outer body from collapsing against an outer surface of the valve body.  
   
   
       14 . The dispensing system of  claim 13  wherein the valve body includes raised ridges extending from an outer surface of the valve body to prevent the outer body from collapsing against the outer surface of the valve body.  
   
   
       15 . The dispensing system of  claim 14  wherein the valve body includes upper openings, and the ridges extend longitudinally along at least a portion the length of the valve body adjacent the upper openings.  
   
   
       16 . The dispensing system of  claim 13  wherein the raised region comprises a skirt extending radially from a side wall of the valve body.  
   
   
       17 . The dispensing system of  claim 11  wherein corresponding lower portions of the bags have substantially parallel, tapered sides.  
   
   
       18 . The dispensing system of  claim 17  wherein each bag has a lower portion that tapers from a relatively larger cross-section, nearer to the middle of the length of the bag, to a relatively smaller cross-section at the bottom of the bag.  
   
   
       19 . The dispensing system of  claim 1  further comprising a spring seat configured to provide radial support to the valve stem.  
   
   
       20 . A pressurized dispensing system for dispensing a multi-component product, comprising: 
 an outer body defining a first chamber constructed to contain a first component of said product;    an inner container, disposed within said body, defining a second chamber constructed to contain a second component of said product and maintain said second component separate from said first component;    a dispensing head, in fluid communication with said first and second chambers, through which the product is dispensed; and    a valve assembly, including a valve stem constructed to move between a closed position, in which said first and second chambers are sealed, and an open position, in which said first and second components flow simultaneously from said first and second chambers to said dispensing head, a valve body surrounding at least a portion of the valve stem, and a sealing member constructed to provide a seal between the valve stem and an inner wall of the valve body, the sealing member including a portion that seals against an inner wall of the valve body.    
   
   
       21 . The dispensing system of  claim 20  wherein the portion that seals against the inner wall of the valve body has a surface area of at least about 0.065 in 2 .  
   
   
       22 . The dispensing system of  claim 21  wherein the portion that seals against the inner wall of the valve body has a surface area of at least about 0.140 in 2 .  
   
   
       23 . A pressurized dispensing system for dispensing a multi-component product, comprising: 
 an outer body defining a first chamber constructed to contain a first component of said product;    an inner container, disposed within said body, defining a second chamber constructed to contain a second component of said product and maintain said second component separate from said first component;    a dispensing head, in fluid communication with said first and second chambers, through which the product is dispensed; and    a valve assembly, including a valve stem constructed to move between a closed position, in which said first and second chambers are sealed, and an open position, in which said first and second components flow simultaneously from said first and second chambers to said dispensing head, and a valve body surrounding at least a portion of the valve stem, the valve body including a threaded portion configured to receive a corresponding threaded portion of the inner container.    
   
   
       24 . A pressurized dispensing system for dispensing a multi-component product, comprising: 
 an outer body, comprising a flexible bag, defining a first chamber constructed to contain a first component of said product;    an inner container, disposed within said body, defining a second chamber constructed to contain a second component of said product and maintain said second component separate from said first component;    a dispensing head, in fluid communication with said first and second chambers, through which the product is dispensed; and    a valve assembly, including a valve stem constructed to move between a closed position, in which said first and second chambers are sealed, and an open position, in which said first and second components flow simultaneously from said first and second chambers to said dispensing head, and a valve body surrounding at least a portion of the valve stem and including openings providing fluid communication between the first chamber and the dispensing head;    wherein the valve body includes a raised region configured to maintain a flow path to the openings in the valve stem as the contents of the outer body are exhausted causing the flexible bag to collapse against the valve stem.    
   
   
       25 . The dispensing system of  claim 24  wherein the valve body includes raised ridges extending from an outer surface of the valve body to prevent the outer body from collapsing against the outer surface of the valve body.  
   
   
       26 . The dispensing system of  claim 25  wherein the valve body includes upper openings, and the ridges extend longitudinally along at least a portion the length of the valve body adjacent the upper openings.  
   
   
       27 . The dispensing system of  claim 24  wherein the raised region comprises a skirt extending radially from a side wall of the valve body.