Enhanced Valve Sealing In Pressurized Dispensing Containers

Abstract

In a valve used for dispensing flowable product from a pressurized container A cup is snapped onto the button at the base of the valve stem so that the upper rim of the cup engages the resilient sealing grommet that surrounds the main portion of the stem. The upper rim of the cup provides a moderately sharp sealing edge so that the pressure against the surface of the resilient grommet is enhanced. This creates a more effective seal than does the relatively broad surface to surface engagement between button and grommet in a standard valve.

1 . In a valve for use with a pressurized dispensing container, the valve having a stem and an annular resilient sealing grommet surrounding the stem, the improvement of a sealing element at the base of the stem comprising:
 a cup shaped sealing element connected to the stem and having an annular sidewall extending up from said stem base, said sidewall having an upper annular edge that sealingly engages the grommet when the valve is in its closed state.   
   
   
       2 . The improvement of  claim 1  wherein: said upper edge is narrower than the thickness of said annular sidewall. 
   
   
       3 . The improvement of  claim 1  wherein: the grommet has a lower flat surface and said upper edge of said sealing cup engages said lower surface of the grommet when the valve is in a closed state. 
   
   
       4 . The improvement of  claim 2  wherein: the grommet has a lower flat surface and said upper edge of said sealing cup engages said lower surface of the grommet when the valve is in a closed state. 
   
   
       5 . The improvement of  claim 1  wherein: the stem has a button and said annular sidewall of said sealing cup is press fit onto said button. 
   
   
       6 . The improvement of  claim 1  wherein: said stem has a button, said button has a sidewall and further comprising: an annular groove and ridge engagement between said sidewalls of said button and said cup. 
   
   
       7 . The improvement of  claim 4  wherein: said button and said sealing element are integral. 
   
   
       8 . The improvement of  claim 4  wherein: said sealing element has a base and said base extends radially outward past said sidewall of said sealing element. 
   
   
       9 . The improvement of  claim 6  wherein: said button has a thickness adequate to prevent said sealing element from rocking loose. 
   
   
       10 . The improvement of  claim 2  wherein: said sealing edge is at the outer surface of said sidewall of said sealing element. 
   
   
       11 . The improvement of  claim 4  wherein: said sealing edge is at the outer surface of said sidewall of said sealing element. 
   
   
       12 . The improvement of  claim 5  wherein: said button is spaced from said grommet when said valve is in said closed state. 
   
   
       13 . The improvement of  claim 6  wherein: said button is spaced from said grommet when said valve is in said closed state. 
   
   
       14 . The improvement of  claim 9  wherein: said button is spaced from said grommet when said valve is in said closed state. 
   
   
       15 . The improvement of  claim 1  wherein the valve has a mounting cup, further comprising: a resilient tube in compression engaging the mounting cup and the stem to provide a restoring force to close the valve when dispensing pressure is removed. 
   
   
       16 . The improvement of  claim 4  wherein the valve has a mounting cup, further comprising: a resilient tube in compression engaging the mounting cup and the stem to provide a restoring force to close the valve when dispensing pressure is removed. 
   
   
       17 . The improvement of  claim 9  wherein the valve has a mounting cup, further comprising: a resilient tube in compression engaging the mounting cup and the stem to provide a restoring force to close the valve when dispensing pressure is removed. 
   
   
       18 . The improvement of  claim 1  wherein the valve has a mounting cup, further comprising: a resilient tube in compression engaging the mounting cup and the stem to provide a restoring force to close the valve when dispensing pressure is removed. 
   
   
       19 . The improvement of  claim 4  wherein the valve has a mounting cup, further comprising: a resilient tube in compression engaging the mounting cup and the stem to provide a restoring force to close the valve when dispensing pressure is removed. 
   
   
       20 . In a valve for use with a pressurized dispensing container, the valve having a stem and an annular resilient sealing grommet surrounding the stem, said grommet having a lower surface, the improvement of a sealing element at the base of the stem comprising:
 a cup shaped sealing element connected to the stem and having an annular sidewall extending up from said base, said sidewall having an annular upper edge that is narrower than the thickness of said sidewall,   the grommet having a lower flat surface and said upper edge of said sealing cup engaging said lower surface of the grommet when the valve is in a closed state,   said stem having a button, said button having a sidewall,   an annular groove and ridge engagement between said sidewalls of said button and said cup,   said button being spaced from said grommet when said valve is in its closed state.