Product dispensing systems

Abstract

In a dispensing system for dispensing a product form a canister, which comprises a solid/gas arrangement in which the gas is absorbed onto the solid under pressure and desorbed therefrom when the pressure is released and in which the solid comprises activated carbon and the gas comprises one or more of nitrogen, oxygen, (or mixtures thereof including air) carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and argon, the container has valve means to allow the gas adsorbed onto the carbon to be desorbed and effect product dispense.

1 . A dispensing system for dispensing a product from a canister, comprising a solid/gas arrangement in which the gas is adsorbed onto the solid under pressure and desorbed therefrom when the pressure is released and in which the solid comprises activated carbon and the gas comprises at least one of nitrogen, oxygen (or mixtures thereof including air), carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and argon, the container having valve means to allow the gas adsorbed onto the carbon to be desorbed for generating a pressure in the container and effect product dispense.  
   
   
       2 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas comprises carbon dioxide.  
   
   
       3 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing system is incorporated into a canister in which the product to be dispensed is held under gas pressure.  
   
   
       4 . A dispensing system according to  claim 3 , wherein the container includes individual compartments and the product and the solid/gas arrangement of the dispensing system are present in the different compartments in the canister.  
   
   
       5 . A dispensing system according to  claim 4 , wherein the different compartments are separated by a fixed partition.  
   
   
       6 . A dispensing system according to  claim 5 , wherein the different compartments are solid/gas and product compartments divided by a partition and a one-way valve is disposed in the partition for controlling the floe of gas from the solid/gas compartment into the product compartment.  
   
   
       7 . A dispensing system according to  claim 4 , wherein a one-way valve is arranged in the carbon container to prevent back flow of the gas from the solid/gas compartment in order to allow the introduction of carbon dioxide into the solid/gas compartment and retain it therein prior to use of and during use of the system.  
   
   
       8 . A dispensing system according to any one of  claim 4 , wherein a single valve is provided in the partition adapted to operate separately as a pressure sensitive valve in either direction depending on the requirements of the system.  
   
   
       9 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the product and the solid/gas arrangement of the dispensing system of the invention are arranged in different compartments in the canister which are separated by a displaceable partition impermeable to the gas.  
   
   
       10 . A dispensing system according to  claim 9 , wherein the displaceable partition is in the form of a bag for holding the product.  
   
   
       11 . A dispensing system according to  claim 9 , wherein the displaceable partition is in the form of a piston slideable disposed within the canister.  
   
   
       12 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the product is exposed to gas pressure only upon its dispense.  
   
   
       13 . A dispensing system according to  claim 12 , wherein the desorbed gas pressure acts directly on a product to effect product dispense by urging the product through a dip tube extending into the product in the canister.  
   
   
       14 . A dispensing system according to  claim 12 , wherein the desorbed gas pressure acts indirectly on the product to effect product dispense by impingement onto a piston slideably mounted in a canister body or part thereof.  
   
   
       15 . A dispensing system according to  claim 12 , in which the desorbed gas is conducted through a mixing structure wherein by fluid dynamic (fluidic) action a vacuum is formed into which the product is drawn.  
   
   
       16 . A dispensing system according to  claim 15  in which the desorbed gas is caused to flow through a venturi to which the product container can be linked to effect product dispense.  
   
   
       17 . A dispensing system according to  claim 12 , wherein valve means are provided to release the pressure applied directly or indirectly to the product to effect its dispense when the canister is not being used.  
   
   
       18 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the activated carbon is held in a carbon chamber which is proximate to a dispensing block.  
   
   
       19 . A dispensing system according to  claim 18 , wherein the dispensing block and the carbon container are joined by being made as an integrally formed unit.  
   
   
       20 . A dispensing system according to  claim 19 , in which the carbon chamber is situated beneath the dispensing block in a normal upright orientation of the canister.  
   
   
       21 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein a pressure regulator is provided to regulate the gas pressure released from the adsorbent of the dispense system of the invention to a predetermined pressure level.  
   
   
       22 . A dispensing system according to  claim 21 , wherein the carbon dioxide is injected into the carbon container in liquid form.  
   
   
       23 . A dispensing system according to  claim 22 , wherein a double valve arrangement is employed for measuring exact quantities of liquid carbon dioxide present between two valves positioned in a delivery tube of constant cross-section.  
   
   
       24 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein a separate bleed of gas is directed into the dispensing valve or block and, therein, to mix with the product being expelled therefrom in order to effect a greater dispersion of the dispensed product.  
   
   
       25 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the activated carbon is present in the form of pellets or torroids.  
   
   
       26 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the activated carbon is kept in contact with a blanketing atmosphere prior to its placement in the canister.  
   
   
       27 . A dispensing system according to  claim 26 , wherein the blanketing atmosphere comprises the adsorbed gas itself.  
   
   
       28 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the product is pre-treated with adsorbed gas prior to, or during, its introduction into the canister.