Multi-valve delivery system

Abstract

A storage and dispensing system for viscous fluids using a single aerosol container having a multi-valve body wherein the valves are activated by a single actuator and viscous materials are kept separate until used. The system may use multiple collapsible bags, a barrier liner, a dip tube, and an omnidirectional valve. Novel mounting cups lacking conventional central pedestal portions are disclosed. New domes for containers are disclosed which eliminate the need for mounting cups. New static mixing devices are disclosed. The devices are made up of static mixing components and static dispensing components. New filling machines for aerosol containers are disclosed. The filling machines contain a plurality of conduits for the separate viscous materials. Filling heads having nozzles depress the actuators of the containers and fill the containers.

1 . A dome for an aerosol container, comprising at least one raised pedestal having a flat top and a bottom and a dome cover, each pedestal containing a centrally located orifice and a substantially vertical side portion interrupted by a centrally directed indentation for crimping with the dome cover, the dome cover extending across the tops of the pedestals and having vertical sides which extend downwardly from the top of the pedestals to the bottom of the pedestals and are crimped to the sides of the pedestals, the dome cover following a downward and outward path from the bottom of the raised pedestals to end in an exterior depression having an outside edge, from the outside edge of the depression the dome cover rising vertically forming an exterior wall, turning sharply outwardly forming a ledge, and curving downwardly and inwardly forming a skirt. 
     
     
         2 . The dome of  claim 1  having two raised pedestals which are connected to each other by a bridge. 
     
     
         3 . A delivery system for viscous materials comprising a pressurized aerosol container containing a dome according to  claim 1 , a multi-valve body comprising at least two valves having internal passageways, a single actuator which activates at least a first valve and a second valve, a pressurizing gas, a first viscous material, and a second viscous material separated from the first viscous material. 
     
     
         4 . A combination of a dome having an inner edge and a valve housing for an aerosol container wherein the dome is made of metal and the valve housing is made of plastic, the combination being prepared by an overmolding process so that the inner edge of the dome is embedded in the valve housing and the dome curves downwardly and outwardly to end in an exterior depression having an outside edge, from the outside edge of the depression the dome rises vertically forming an exterior wall, turns sharply outwardly forming a ledge and curves downwardly and inwardly forming a skirt, the dome being of such a size as to be capable of covering the top opening of the container. 
     
     
         5 . A delivery system for viscous materials comprising a pressurized aerosol container containing a combination of a dome and a valve housing according to  claim 4 , a multi-valve body comprising at least two valves having internal passageways, a single actuator which activates at least a first valve and a second valve, a pressurizing gas, a first viscous material, and a second viscous material separated from the first viscous material. 
     
     
         6 . A static mixing device for aerosol containers having a center and multiple plunger outlets, comprising a first static mixing component and a dispensing component, the first static mixing component comprising multiple vertical inlet conduits which will abut with the plunger outlets of the containers, multiple horizontal conduits which extend forwardly and inwardly from the vertical inlet conduits to meet at a common inlet opening, an oval conduit which extends from the common inlet opening to a first outlet which is partially occluded by a column, a circular conduit containing multiple columns which extends from the first outlet rearwardly to a single central conduit containing additional columns, which central conduit extends forwardly to a central outlet opening and the dispensing component comprising a central inlet opening which extends vertically upwardly from the central outlet opening of the static mixing component to a horizontal outlet conduit which extends to an outlet orifice. 
     
     
         7 . The static mixing device of  claim 6 , wherein the static mixing component has three holes substantially equally spaced from the center of the static mixing component and the dispensing component has three hollow vertical pegs having lower ends substantially equally spaced from the center of the dispensing component which pegs fit into and through the corresponding holes of the static mixing components such that when force is applied to the pegs, the ends of the pegs are caused to display a mushroom effect which secures the dispensing component to the mixing component. 
     
     
         8 . The static mixing device of  claim 7 , further containing a second static mixing component. 
     
     
         9 . A combination of a pressurized aerosol container containing materials which should be kept apart during storage but be mixed at the time of dispensing and a static mixing device, which pressurized aerosol container comprises multiple compartments for storage of the materials to be dispensed, a conduit leading from each compartment to a vertical inlet conduit of a static mixing component of the static mixing device, the static mixing component having a horizontal conduit leading from each vertical inlet conduit to a common inlet opening wherein the materials are combined, an oval conduit which extends from the common inlet opening to a first outlet, a circular conduit extending from the first outlet to a single central conduit which extends to a central outlet opening, a central inlet opening of a dispensing component of the static mixing device, extends from the central outlet opening of the static mixing component to a vertical outlet conduit, and a horizontal outlet conduit extending from the vertical outlet conduit to an outlet orifice in the dispensing component, wherein there are multiple columns in the conduits of the static mixing component. 
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 9 , wherein there is a second mixing component. 
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein the multiple compartments in the aerosol container are collapsible bags of different sizes. 
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 11 , wherein each bag has been prepared by a combination of injection molding to make the neck and blow molding to make the bag body.